Low-efficiency plumbing ban clears Colorado Senate

A mandatory phase-out of toilets, faucets and shower heads that use too much water has cleared the Colorado Senate.

Senators voted 19-16 in favor of a bill to prohibit the sale of low-efficiency plumbing fixtures by 2016.

The measure would make it illegal to sell new faucets, showerheads and toilets that aren’t certified by the federal government as efficient “WaterSense” fixtures.

Only one Republican voted for the change, Sen. Ellen Roberts of Durango. She called the bill a needed effort to conserve water in a drought-plagued state.

The measure would not require anyone to change existing plumbing. Current law requires builders to offer water-efficient indoor plumbing fixtures in new homes, but homeowners aren’t required to choose them.

The bill now heads to the House.