Spray Sprinkler Nozzles

To add to the growing list of irrigation products that can earn the WaterSense® label, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a draft WaterSense specification for spray sprinkle nozzles. A spray nozzle is a component of a sprinkler system that combines with a sprinkler body to distribute water on a landscape. WaterSense intends to use the label to identify spray sprinkler nozzles that are independently certified to deliver water more efficiently than standard spray nozzles.

Why a Specification?

Recent water savings studies have indicated that certain types of spray sprinkler nozzles can reduce the volume of water used for landscape irrigation. These spray sprinkler nozzles distribute water more slowly and evenly, allowing water to percolate into the soil rather than flow offsite as runoff. They also create larger water droplets, which may reduce misting. According to EPA’s calculations, the average household with an in-ground irrigation system could save approximately 2,400 gallons of water annually by replacing standard spray nozzles with higher efficiency models.

There are no current federal requirements that regulate water use or performance of spray sprinkler nozzles. Recent research has identified notable stakeholder interest in a potential WaterSense label for spray sprinkler nozzles, particularly among water utilities. Some water utilities offer rebates for water-efficient spray sprinkler nozzles and are interested in more easily identifying spray sprinkler nozzle models that use less water compared to standard models.

EPA originally considered labeling spray sprinkler nozzles when it addressed spray sprinkler bodies in 2014. At that time, EPA decided to only move forward with specification development for spray sprinkler bodies. For more information on the history of this product category, see WaterSense’s product background page for spray sprinkler bodies.

Read the  Spray Sprinkler Nozzle Fact Sheet (pdf) (620.43 KB) for more information.

Draft Specification

EPA released a draft specification for WaterSense labeled spray sprinkle nozzles on November 9, 2023.

• WaterSense Draft Specification for Spray Sprinkler Nozzles Cover Letter (pdf) (152.96 KB)
• WaterSense Draft Specification for Spray Sprinkler Nozzles (pdf) (277.05 KB)
• WaterSense Draft Specification for Spray Sprinkler Nozzles Supporting Statement (pdf) (340.65 KB)

EPA is also sharing its draft product notification template for spray sprinkler nozzles. When EPA releases a final specification for this product category to earn the WaterSense label, licensed certifying bodies will be required to submit information directly to EPA regarding WaterSense labeled products that have been successfully certified using this template:

• Draft Spray Sprinkler Nozzles Product Notification Template (xlsx) (173.77 KB)

Dr. Michael Dukes of the University of Florida conducted testing of spray sprinkler nozzles. The Sprinkler Nozzle Testing Report (pdf) (924.94 KB) , which offers details of the testing methodology and results, is also available for review. The WaterSense Draft Specification for Spray Sprinkler Nozzles Supporting Statement references this report, as it provides supporting data for criteria included in the draft specification.

EPA held a virtual public meeting to discuss stakeholder comments on December 12, 2023.

• WaterSense Draft Specification for Spray Sprinkler Nozzles Meeting Presentation (pdf) (4.33 MB)

• WaterSense Draft Specification for Spray Sprinkler Nozzles Meeting Recording

The public comment period for the draft specification closed on March 1, 2024. A compilation of the comments received is below. If you have any additional comments or suggestions, you are welcome to send them to watersense-products@erg.com.

• Spray Sprinkler Nozzles Draft Specification Public Comments (pdf) (2.94 MB)

Notice of Intent

In November 2022, EPA issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to develop a WaterSense specification for spray sprinkler nozzles to reduce water use in irrigation systems. With the NOI, EPA’s goals are to share new research on the efficiency and performance of these products, present preliminary criteria for a potential draft specification, and solicit feedback on key data gaps.

• Spray Sprinkler Nozzles NOI (pdf) (810.37 KB)

EPA held a virtual public meeting on December 14, 2022 to discuss the NOI and obtain stakeholder feedback. Information from the public meeting and all comments received as of April 26, 2023 are below. 

• Spray Sprinkler Nozzle NOI Public Meeting Presentation (pdf) (3.44 MB)
• View December 14, 2022, webinar recording
• Spray Sprinkler Nozzle NOI Meeting Summary (pdf) (340.61 KB)
• Spray Sprinkler Nozzle NOI Comment Compilation (pdf) (2.94 MB)  (as of April 26, 2023)

Are you interested in finding out more about the development of a WaterSense specification for spray sprinkler nozzles? Please email watersense-products@erg.com to be added to the stakeholder list.