Saving water at the faucet used to be solely an opportunity in the bathroom. Now kitchen faucets are getting in on the savings. Though the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program doesn’t yet certify kitchen faucets, some manufacturers are lowering flow rates to meet other industry standards.

CalGreen Water Requirements

As with many environmental standards, California’s requirements for residential water conservation tend to be stricter than those in other states, and manufacturers are obliging with products that meet those needs. Could your kitchen and bath meet these CalGreen standards?

• Toilets: 1.28 gallons per flush
• Lavatory faucets: 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or less
• Kitchen faucets: 1.8 gpm or less
• Showerheads: 2 gpm
• Multi-outlet shower combinations: 2 gpm per valve

Blanco recently introduced four models with an available 1.8 gallon-per-minute (gpm) flow rate, including the Alta Compact, to meet CalGreen standards. Alta’s size makes it ideal for smaller sinks or prep areas. The contemporary style is available in Blanco’s Silgranit II color finishes and features a pull-out design and dual spray.

For lavatory faucets, KWC has introduced the Ava faucet with CoolFix technology that works to save water and energy. With the lever in the standard six o’clock position, the 1.5 gpm faucet delivers only cold water instead of a hot-cold mix. The maker says this helps save energy each time the faucet is activated by reducing the hot water draw and the energy used to heat that water.

—Lauren Hunter is the senior products editor at REMODELING. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurenHunter_HW or @RemodelingMag.