Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Chemicals and Toxics
    • Climate Change
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Environmental Justice
    • Greener Living
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Pesticides
    • Radon
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Guidance
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • EPA Administrator
    • Organization Chart
    • Staff Directory
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Jobs and Internships
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Lab and Research Centers
WaterSense
Contact Us

WaterSense Labeled Controllers

WaterSense Products Irrigation Controller
WaterSense Products Search

Residential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for nearly 8 billion gallons of water each day, mainly for landscape irrigation. Experts estimate that as much as 50 percent of this water is wasted due to overwatering caused by inefficiencies in irrigation methods and systems. WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers can significantly reduce overwatering by applying water only when plants need it.

Related Products
  • Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers
  • Soil Moisture-Based Irrigation Controllers
  • Spray Sprinkler Bodies

On This Page:

  • Smart Watering
  • WaterSense Savings

Smart Watering

WaterSense labels two types of irrigation controllers that can help homeowners and businesses make their irrigation scheduling more water-efficient: weather-based irrigation controllers use local weather and landscape conditions to tailor watering schedules, and soil moisture-based irrigation controllers (also known as soil moisture sensors, or SMSs) monitor moisture levels in the soil to prevent irrigation when water is not needed.

Graphic: Weather-based irrigation controllers use local weather and landscape conditions to tailor watering schedules, and soil moisture-based irrigation controllers monitor moisture levels in the soil to prevent irrigation when water is not needed.

Both technologies allow watering schedules to better match plants' water needs. With proper installation, programming, and maintenance, homeowners and businesses can use WaterSense labeled controllers instead of clock-based controllers on their irrigation systems, and no longer worry about wasted water.

To earn the WaterSense label, irrigation controllers are independently certified to meet specific WaterSense criteria for efficiency and performance. Controllers that use either weather or soil moisture data can be labeled under those respective specifications. Some controllers use both types of data concurrently, and those must be certified under both specifications to bear the WaterSense label.

Read the Irrigation Controller Fact Sheet (1 pp, 232 K, About PDF) for more information.

For tips on selecting irrigation controllers and adjusting irrigation for each season, read the Is Your Watering Under Control brochure (2 pp, 3 MB, About PDF).

WaterSense Savings

Replacing a standard clock-based controller with a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons of water annually. If every home in the United States with an automatic sprinkler system installed and properly operated a WaterSense labeled controller, we could save up to $4.5 billion in water costs and 390 billion gallons of water across the country annually from not overwatering lawns and landscapes. That's equal to the annual household water needs of 5 million average American homes. WaterSense labeled controllers can also be a water-smart solution for larger landscapes (1 pp, 255 K, About PDF), such as schools, hotels, and office buildings. Some utilities offer rebates to help you water smarter outdoors.
  • WaterSense Home
  • About WaterSense
  • WaterSense Products
    • Residential Toilets
    • Showerheads
    • Bathroom Faucets
    • Commercial Toilets
    • Urinals
    • Irrigation Controllers
    • Spray Sprinkler Bodies
    • Pre-Rinse Spray Valves
    • Products in Development
  • WaterSense for Kids
  • Our Water
  • Outdoors
  • Homes
  • Commercial Buildings
  • WaterSense Partners
  • Specifications and Certifications
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on June 24, 2022
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data.gov
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.