Residents interested in certifying their single family residential home must complete a self-certification form indicating that their home meets the criteria.  If all criteria is met, the resident will receive a certification kit in the mail within six to eight weeks.  

Certified homes receive recognition kits that include physical yard signs.  Homes may also be chosen as a Neighbor Spotlight in the Residential Water Conservation and Efficiency eNewsletter.  Homes may be featured on City of Tempe social and digital media, including the Certified Water Efficient Home webpage.  Homes will also be nominated for the Water Wise Landscape Neighborhood Celebration Award.

 The Certified Water Efficient Home must have the following fixture:

• High-efficiency toilets in the most frequently used bathroom(s).  Toilet(s) must be WaterSense labeled, which indicates that they use less than 1.28 gallons of water per flush if purchased after 2005.  Toilets upgraded 2005 and earlier may flush up to 1.6 gallons of water per flush to be considered efficient.  New toilets may also qualify for a rebate.

Residents of the Certified Water Efficient Home must also practice at least two of the following water-saving practices.

• Install a WaterSense labeled showerhead to save 2,700 gallons of water each year.  Showerheads that are labeled use less than two gallons of water per minute or less.  Salt River Project (SRP) customers may purchase subsidized showerheads from the SRP Marketplace.
• Time your shower to keep it under five minutes to save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
• Install a WaterSense labeled faucet or faucet accessory, such as a faucet aerator, to save 700 gallons of water each year.  The WaterSense label indicates that the faucet or device uses less than 1.5 gallons of water per minute. 
• Plug the sinks instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 300 gallons a month.
• Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.
• Take showers instead of bath to save up to 57 gallons.
• Test your toilet for leaks by putting food coloring in the tank at least once a year.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to four gallons per minute.
• Drop tissues in the trash instead of flushing them and save water every time.
• While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.

View on YouTube for high resolution video.

Residents of a Certified Water Efficient Home must indicate at least one of the following water-saving practices in the Kitchen:

• Install an ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher.
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day, or refill a water bottle.
• Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• Use the garbage disposal sparingly.  Instead compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time.
• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
• Defrost food in the refrigerator instead of using running water.
• Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap.
• Cook food in as little water as possible, and select the proper pan size for cooking.
• Collect the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables.  Use it to water house plants.

Residents of a Certified Water Efficient Home must indicate at least one of the following water-saving practices in the Laundry:

• Install an ENERGY STAR certified clothes washer.
• Match the water level to the size of the load.
• Run full loads whenever possible.
• Install a laundry to landscape gray water system if there is an appropriate re-use for the water in the landscape.
• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible.

The following must be true for the Certified Water Efficient Home:

• The home must be registered on the WaterSmart Customer Portal.
• A resident of the home must have completed the Water Use Calculator.
• A resident of the home must have received a water consultation from the City of Tempe within the past two years and implement the recommendations provided.
• A resident of the home must use WaterSmart to verify that no leaks are present and agree to continue to monitor hourly water usage for leaks.
• A resident of the home must have attended (virtual or in-person) or watched a recording of a water conservation workshop within the last three years.

View on YouTube for high resolution video.

A Certified Water Efficient Home that maintains a landscape must meet all of the following criteria:

• A resident at this home must sign up for WHENTOWATER text alerts.
• The home must avoid runoff from the landscape by applying water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
• A resident at this home must review the Landscape Watering Guide to learn how much and how often to water a landscape.

A Certified Water Efficient Home that maintains a landscape must indicate at least three of the following practices:

• Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
• Install Arizona-friendly plants in the landscape and watch them thrive in the desert environment.
• Plant in the spring and fall, when the watering requirements are lower.
• Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil.
• Visit the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden at Tempe Women's Club Park to view plants that thrive in our hot desert environment.
• Apply for Tempe's desert plant rebate (known as TreeBate).
• Collect water from your roof by installing gutters and downspouts.  Direct the runoff to plants and trees.
• Start a compost pile.  Use compost in your garden or flower beds.
• Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots.
• Actively maintain drip irrigation systems by replacing missing emitters.
• Contour the landscape using earthworks to direct water to the drip zones of plants.
• Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
• Split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption. This strategy is also known as "cycle and soak".
• Use proper pruning techniques.

View Landscape Watering Basics on YouTube for high resolution video.

View How Long to Water Landscape Plants on YouTube for high resolution video.

A Certified Water Efficient Home that maintains an automated irrigation system must meet the following criteria:  the home must utilize a WaterSense labeled smart irrigation controller.

Additionally, EPA WaterSense labeled controllers that meet specific requirements may qualify for the High-Efficiency Irrigation Rebate.

A Certified Water Efficient Home that maintains a lawn must indicate at least three of the following practices:

• Adjust your lawn mower to the height of 1.5 to two inches.  Taller grass shades roots and holds soil moisture better than short grass.
• Leave lawn clippings on your grass to cool the ground and hold in moisture.
• Aerate your lawn periodically by inserting holes every six inches.
• Let your lawn go dormant (brown) during the winter.
• Weed your lawn and garden regularly to reduce competition for nutrients, light and water.
• Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed.
• Water summer lawns once every three days and winter lawns once every five days.
• Catch water in empty tin cans to measure sprinkler output.  Apply three quarters of an inch (.75 inches) of water each time you irrigate.  
• Upgrade sprinkler head technology to include EPA WaterSense labeled sprinkler spray bodies, which have high-efficiency nozzles and integral pressure regulators.
• Receive a Tempe High-Efficiency Irrigation rebate.

 View Landscape Watering Basics on YouTube for high resolution video.

View How Long to Water Lawns for high resolution video.

A Certified Water Efficient Home that maintains a pool must indicate at least three of the following practices:

• Use a pool cover to keep your pool clean, reduce chemical use and prevent water loss through evaporation.
• Equip swimming pools, fountains and ponds with recirculating pumps.
• Check your pool for leaks using the bucket test.
• Re-use water from back-washing to water salt-tolerant plants in the landscape.
• Turn off water features and waterfalls when not in use.
• Do not overfill the pool to decrease water loss from splashing.
• Maintain proper chemical levels and adequate circulation time.
• Keep the pool filter clean to avoid backwashing.
• Add pool-friendly plants in strategic areas to form a windbreak that can slow evaporation from wind.