By Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainable Living Officer, Kohler Co.
Water is essential to life and livelihoods —and it’s central to what we do at Kohler. Every day, water flows through our products, our operations, and the communities we serve. But with climate change, aging infrastructure, and growing demand threatening global water security, we have a responsibility to reimagine the way we use and manage this vital resource.
As a founding member of the 50L Home Coalition, a global initiative dedicated to making sustainable water use effortless, intuitive, and irresistible, our goal is simple yet ambitious: to create homes where using just 50 liters of water per person per day feels as abundant and luxurious as 500 liters. We are proving that water conservation does not mean sacrifice—it means smarter design, better technology, and stronger partnerships.
Creating Demand for Water-Efficient Products
At Kohler, we believe saving water should be simple. Through breakthrough engineering and design, we have developed high-performance products that redefine what’s possible in water efficiency without compromising experience, performance or aesthetics.
- Kohler’s WaterSense-labeled products use at least 20% less water than standard models while maintaining exceptional performance. Since 2007, our products have helped save over 729 billion gallons of water and avoided 16.6 million metric tons of CO2 emissions.
- Our entire North American kitchen faucet portfolio flows at 1.5 gallons per minute—exceeding the industry standard for water efficiency—to help people save water by default.
- Innovations like smart connected faucets, intelligent toilets, and digital showering systems help people make water-efficient choices seamlessly, combining technology with everyday convenience.
Our recent 50L Home pilot in Los Angeles demonstrated that small changes can drive significant impact. By upgrading 16 homes with water-efficient toilets, showerheads, and faucets, we achieved an average 21% reduction in water use—proving that sustainable solutions can be seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
Power in Partnership: A Whole-Home Approach
One of the key strengths of the 50L Home Coalition is the diversity and dedication of its members. Kohler is proud to collaborate with USGBC California, Electrolux Group, IKEA, and Procter & Gamble—each of whom brings unique expertise and a shared commitment to making sustainable living easier for people around the world.
Together, we’ve taken a whole-home approach, targeting water use at every point: the bathroom, the kitchen, laundry, and beyond. Whether through water-efficient fixtures, high-performance appliances, or resource-conscious consumables, the Coalition’s strength lies in our ability to work together to design complete, cohesive solutions that not only save water and energy but also enhance the consumer experience.
Advocating for Smart Water Policies and Infrastructure
Addressing today’s water challenges requires collaboration. No single company, government, or individual can address this challenge alone. That’s why we work alongside policymakers, industry leaders, and organizations like the 50L Home Coalition to accelerate water innovation at scale.
While innovation and consumer action are critical, policy and infrastructure investments play an equally important role in ensuring water security. Today, aging infrastructure leads to massive water loss through leaks and inefficiencies, while outdated policies fail to incentivize water conservation at scale.
At Kohler, we engage with policymakers to advocate for:
- Consistent water efficiency standards to promote innovation and consumer adoption.
- Investment in infrastructure upgrades to minimize water loss and contamination.
- Incentives for homebuilders, consumers, municipalities, and businesses to implement water-saving technologies.
Through our advocacy efforts with partners like the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Alliance for Water Efficiency (AEE), and Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI), we are working to ensure that water stewardship remains a legislative priority—because access to safe, clean water is not just an environmental issue, it’s a human right.
A Call to Action
The urgency of the water crisis demands action from all of us. As individuals, we can adopt more water-conscious habits. As companies, we must continue innovating and investing in solutions that make sustainable living the norm. And as a global community, we must work together to drive systemic change that ensures a future where clean, abundant water is accessible to all.
At Kohler, we are committed to Water Stewardship Through Uncompromising Design. Together, with bold ideas, smart policies, and unwavering dedication, we can make a lasting impact—one home, one product, and one partnership at a time.