WaterSense Labeled Homes Eligible for Builder Incentive

The Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) has launched the Water Efficient Construction Incentive. This new incentive program offers $1,000 rebates per WaterSense labeled home constructed in CAGRD member service areas between June 2023 and May 2024.

Arizona, like many parts of the country, is experiencing water stress due to extended drought periods and booming development that places a strain on natural resources. CAGRD recognizes that less groundwater used by its members means that it has less groundwater available in future water supplies. WaterSense labeled homes use at least 30% less water than typical new construction and place less demand on local resources.

“Builder rebates like this reward home builders that seek credible, third-party certification demonstrating that their homes are more water-efficient than typical construction. This incentive will spur new home construction toward higher levels of efficiency across the region and provides an example that will hopefully be replicated in other regions,” said Cindy Wasser, Home Innovation’s Senior Manager of Green Building Programs.

Homes must be labeled to WaterSense v2.0 by an EPA-recognized Home Certifying Organization (HCO), such as Home Innovation Research Labs.

Home Innovation Research Labs has served as a WaterSense HCO since 2021. Homes can comply via either a Prescriptive or Performance Path. Both compliance pathways are based on selected 2020 NGBS practices, but homes do not need to be seeking NGBS Green certification to earn WaterSense.

To learn more, review the fact sheet and utilize the CAGRD Membership Locator to identify qualifying locations.

To receive the incentive, builders must submit an application, the WaterSense Labeled Home Certificate for each home they are claiming the rebate, and a completed W-9 form.

For resources to educate your local leaders about water efficient home construction, visit our Water Efficiency Advocacy Toolkit.

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ABOUT: Home Innovation Research Labs, located in Upper Marlboro, Md., is a full-service research, testing, and consulting firm determined to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of single- and multifamily homes and home building products – in short, we aim to perfect the home. Founded in 1964 as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), our team has been integral in solving many of our client’s most difficult product and technology issues, and helping to introduce some of the most groundbreaking innovations in construction. Through an interdisciplinary research approach – including market research, building science analysis, laboratory testing, and standards development – we help to find a home for innovation in the construction industry.

NOTE TO EDITORS ON STYLE USAGE: To identify this company and its work correctly, first reference should be "Home Innovation Research Labs." In subsequent mentions, “Home Innovation” should be used; we are not identified by an acronym. Prior to February 12, 2013, the company was known as the NAHB Research Center.