April 17, 2026 | Dani Morgutia, Senior Programs Manager
The California Water Efficiency Partnership has submitted a letter in support of the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) proposed efficiency standards for landscape irrigation controllers (Docket No. 17-AAER-10).
These proposed standards represent an important step toward improving outdoor water use efficiency across California by establishing consistent performance expectations for irrigation controller technologies.
Why This Matters
Outdoor irrigation remains one of the largest components of urban water use in California. As the state continues to navigate long-term water supply challenges, improving the performance and reliability of irrigation technologies is essential to reducing unnecessary water loss while maintaining functional landscapes.
The CEC’s proposal moves toward closer alignment with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense framework, an approach that supports both market consistency and measurable water savings outcomes.
By codifying these types of standards at the state level, California has an opportunity to:
- Establish a clear baseline for irrigation controller performance
- Support water suppliers and programs already promoting smart irrigation technologies
- Drive long-term water savings across residential, commercial, and institutional landscapes
CalWEP’s Position
In its letter, CalWEP expressed support for the overall direction of the proposed standards, emphasizing their potential to contribute meaningfully to improved outdoor water use efficiency statewide.
At the same time, CalWEP encouraged the Commission to strike a thoughtful balance between implementation feasibility and the opportunity to advance the market toward higher-performing, water-efficient technologies. While technical considerations and product specifications must be practical for manufacturers and implementers, California’s ongoing water supply challenges require continued progress in strengthening efficiency standards.
Beyond Product Standards
CalWEP also highlighted that achieving real water savings extends beyond product performance alone.
Proper installation, programming, maintenance, and user education are essential to ensuring irrigation controllers deliver their intended benefits in the field.
To support this, CalWEP encouraged continued collaboration between the California Energy Commission, the California Department of Water Resources, and industry partners to advance training and outreach efforts for both irrigation professionals and end users.
Looking Ahead
As the rulemaking process continues, CalWEP will remain engaged to support the development of standards that are both implementable and impactful.
This effort reflects CalWEP’s broader commitment to advancing policies and programs that improve water use efficiency across California, ensuring that conservation remains a foundational component of the state’s long-term water resilience strategy.
📄 You can view CalWEP’s full comment letter HERE.