Colorado is taking steps towards ensuring that all plumbing fixtures sold in the state carry the WaterSense label.

Approved by the Colorado Legislature, Senate Bill 103 prohibits the sale of lavatory faucets, shower heads, flushing urinals, tank-type toilets, and tank-type water closets on and after September 1, 2016, unless they are a watersense-listed plumbing fixture.

Colorado is one of many states in the US facing a water shortage. The 2010 Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) report noted that Colorado is facing a water supply gap that could exceed 500,000 acre-feet by the year 2050. If SB 103 passes, Colorado would join California, Texas and Georgia in mandating certified high-efficiency fixtures be sold.

Proponents of the bill say the benefits will include:

• Providing a calculated savings of up to 40,000 acre-feet (13 billion gallons) of water per year by the year 2050, which could be dedicated to a variety of uses.
• Reducing pressure to transfer agricultural water rights for municipal and industrial use.
• Providing uniform water conservation standards throughout the state.
• Providing no-cost water conservation savings for water providers.
• Engaging the entire state in a water efficiency effort.

Governor John Hickenlooper is expected to sign the bill into law in the near future.