Showing WaterSense in Orlando
For an ecologically minded homebuilder like Mattamy, the impact of climate change and other factors are shaping the way we manage and conserve water resources at our homes and developments in Florida. William Foy, Sustainability Manager at our Orlando division, hosts a monthly call on sustainability issues. Four recent meetings focused on water and water-infrastructure issues: EPA WaterSense, LEED water efficiency, native/Florida-friendly landscaping and water security. Additionally, William conducted a video chat about EPA WaterSense and what the Orlando division is doing, which was shared with other divisions.
Orlando’s approach to water management demonstrates the division’s WaterSense performance. The division exceeds Florida code requirements and meets or exceeds WaterSense requirements on several metrics.
| FL Code | WaterSense | Orlando Division | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toilets | 1.6 GPF | 1.28 GPF | 1.28 GPF |
| Kitchen faucets | 2.2 GPM | N/A | 1.5 GPM |
| Lavatory faucets | 2.2 GPM | 1.5 GPM | 1.2 GPM |
| Shower heads | 2.5 GPM | 1.5 GPM | 1.5 GPM |
The irrigation systems used by the Orlando division are also all WaterSense certified and include rain sensors that automatically turn a home’s irrigation system off when it is raining. Where available, these systems use reclaimed water to lower the impact of our developments on consumable water.
In addition to water-friendly fixtures, the Orlando division also practices Florida-friendly landscaping and, where permitted, uses drought-resistant Bahia grass, which reduces irrigation requirements. Bahia also requires less chemical management for pests and does not need as much fertilizer as typical landscape grasses, which lowers runoff and protects local watersheds. In FY2024, five Mattamy communities had 100% Bahia.