NORTH OLMSTED, OH--(Marketwire - March 14, 2011) - With so many products claiming to be green these days, it's hard to know which ones are the real deal. A great indicator for certified sustainability in the bathroom is the WaterSense® label, which is granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By learning how (and which) products meet the criteria, you can easily incorporate the best -- and most eco-friendly products into your bath.

"WaterSense-labeled products help you save water in your home and protect the environment," said Stephanie Thornton, a representative of the WaterSense Program at the EPA. "Since it was first launched in 2006, the WaterSense program has helped consumers identify water-efficient products that not only meet specific water-savings criteria, but performance criteria as well. Meaning you'll get the same great performance you're used to, just using less water."

WaterSense aims to decrease indoor and outdoor water use through efficient products and simple, water-saving practices. The program encourages customers to look for WaterSense-labeled products, which have been independently certified for efficiency and performance, and promotes water-saving techniques that reduce stress on the environment.

There are a number of product categories that carry the WaterSense label, making it even easier to reduce the water usage in your home.

• Toilets. According to the EPA, you will likely flush the toilet nearly 140,000 times over the course of your lifetime. Switching to a WaterSense-labeled model will help you save up to 4,000 gallons per year and an average of $100 on your water bill. 
  
  Whether you're remodeling a bathroom, building a new home or simply replacing an old toilet that's past its prime, a high-performance, water-efficient option bearing the WaterSense label is definitely worth considering. As the culprit of nearly 30 percent of your home's indoor water consumption, older, inefficient toilets waste up to 11 gallons every day.

• Lavatory Faucets.  With countless options available in nearly every style and finish, it's easy to reduce water usage and be stylish at the sink. Plumbing manufacturers continue to transition their products to meet WaterSense guidelines. In fact, Moen, the 2010 WaterSense Manufacturer Partner of the Year, offers WaterSense certifications on all of its lavatory faucets. Designed to help environmentally conscious consumers optimize water flow without sacrificing performance, the faucets feature a 1.5 gallon per minute (gpm) flow rate versus the industry standard of 2.2 gpm, resulting in water conservation of up to 32 percent.
  
  One such example is the Caldwell™ bathroom collection, available at Lowe's. It offers classic styling with soft curves and rich details, while still providing water-saving benefits. Plus, the bath faucets are available in a new Spot Resist™ finish, which actually resists water spots and finger prints.

• Showerheads. As the newest category to earn WaterSense labeling, traditional showerheads can use up to 30 gallons of water per household, per day. Installing a WaterSense-labeled showerhead could make a big difference, saving more than 2,300 gallons per year.
  
  Moen was one of the first manufacturers to receive this certification for showerheads, with options representing every category in Moen's showering portfolio -- including wall-mount, rainshower and hand shower showerheads -- and feature flow rates ranging from 1.75 gpm to 2.0 gpm, versus the industry standard of 2.5 gpm. The result is water conservation of up to 30 percent. 
  
  And consumers don't have to sacrifice performance -- or settings -- when choosing a sustainable showerhead. In fact, the Nurture™ three-setting showerhead, available at Lowe's, offers three settings -- a "Relaxing" wide spray, "Invigorating" concentrated spray and "Refreshing" combination spray -- all with up to a 30 percent water savings from the industry standard.

A product that meets WaterSense criteria features the WaterSense label on its packaging, making it easy to spot these sustainable products.  By incorporating these products into your home, you can expect exceptional performance, a smaller water bill and the great feeling that comes with saving water for future generations.

For more information about Moen products certified to meet WaterSense criteria, visit moen.com/ecoperformance or call 1-800-BUY-MOEN (1-800-289-6636).

About Moen

Moen, the 2010 EPA WaterSense® Manufacturer Partner of the Year, offers a diverse selection of thoughtfully designed, on-trend kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, bath accessories, showerheads, and stainless steel sinks for residential and commercial applications. As a WaterSense partner, Moen has aligned its priorities with the goals of the U.S. EPA, working to protect the future of our nation's water supply through the introduction and ongoing support of water-efficient products, programs and practices, while keeping consumers' needs top-of-mind.

Customers have come to rely on Moen, the #1 faucet brand in North America, to deliver dependable products and service. Moen is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO) (www.fortunebrands.com), a leading consumer brands company.

About WaterSense

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water. For more information on WaterSense, and for a full list of labeled products and WaterSense irrigation partners, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Kristi Stolarski or Alissa Kiktavy
Falls Communications
(216) 696-0229
kstolarski@fallscommunications.com or akiktavy@fallscommunications.com