North Olmsted, Ohio... The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat—it's a stark reality. From wildfires in the West to massive storms battering the South, Americans are reminded each day of their impact on the environment.
Among the most pressing concerns is water scarcity. And while water covers 70% of the globe, only 0.5% of it is drinkable and usable for us1. And it's just one part of a much larger problem. Climate change, pollution, and rapid urbanization are making access to water more difficult.
A Growing Water Crisis
Water scarcity, driven by climate change, affects homeowners through rising insurance premiums, soaring utility costs, and declining property values. Meanwhile, rapid urbanization strains water infrastructure, and pollution continues to degrade water quality.
According to the 2024 Ecolab Watermark™ Study, 68% of Americans worry about climate change, and 70% are deeply concerned about water access.2 Luckily, there are still things that can be done to mitigate these concerns.
Smart Solutions for a Promising Future
Today, eco-conscious design is not a trend, it's a crucial component for planetary health. Smart home innovations are helping homeowners conserve water and protect their homes. Devices such as water monitors and leak detectors are essential tools for achieving sustainability.
“Smart home solutions have been around for a while now but continue to evolve and improve based on the growing demands of consumers and the world at large,” says Mason Hall, head of connected products, Moen and Fortune Brands Innovations. “Implementing smart products – specifically water-saving fixtures—is one of the simplest ways people can make their homes more sustainable without sacrificing their overall experience.”
The Ecolab Watermark™ Study also reveals that 62% of Americans are willing to pay more for sustainable products2. When it comes to water conservation, Moen's Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff is leading the charge, helping homeowners conserve water and reduce unnecessary waste every day.
This device continuously monitors your entire home's water usage, detecting leaks as small as one drop per minute—from a leaky toilet to a major pipe burst. Using machine learning, it identifies changes in pressure and flow, alerting homeowners before damage escalates. In fact, 60% of users discovered a leak they weren't aware of within just 30 days.
In total, the Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff has detected and alerted users to over two million potential water leaks3. Plus, it helps track your water usage by individual faucet, empowering homeowners to significantly reduce waste—good for both their wallets and the environment.
Protect Your Wallet (And the Planet)
Rising environmental issues often lead to rising insurance costs. In disaster-prone areas like California and Florida, some insurance companies are reducing coverage or even withdrawing from the market due to the high costs and frequency of claims for home repairs or rebuilds.
Water damage, in particular, is a major culprit. It's claimed six times more than fire and eight times more than theft.4 Nationally, it is estimated that insurers pay out over $15 billion in water claim damages annually.5 To mitigate these costs, many insurance companies now offer premium discounts to homeowners who install smart products like the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff, which can reduce the likelihood of water damage claims.
“Investing in smart water products provides long-term protection for homeowners. Partnering with insurance companies allows Moen to further help homeowners prevent leaks and reduce risks that may potentially lower premiums,” Hall adds.
Making Every Drop Count
Companies also have a responsibility to help raise awareness and offer solutions for water conservation. Today, many have implemented sustainability initiatives to help drive long-term, positive change.
In 2020, Moen launched Mission Moen, a commitment to conserve 1 trillion gallons of water through the use of water-saving products by 2030. Since then, the company has conserved 317 billion gallons of water. Across the country, an estimated one trillion gallons of water are wasted due to leaks each year.6
Moen's commitment extends beyond leak detection. Its new Hot Water Savings Handheld Shower helps conserve water by reducing shower water usage by over a third—saving up to 5,500 gallons annually.7 When Conserve Mode is activated, this Hot Water Savings feature reduces water flow to a trickle once it reaches 95°F, then maintains the temperature, preventing unnecessary water waste while still providing an exceptional shower experience. The product also features Moen's Magnetix™ technology, with a magnetic dock made from recycled ocean plastic, further enhancing sustainability.
Turning the Tide on Water Issues
The challenges we face around water are real, but the solutions are within reach. By embracing smart technology, practicing conservation and supporting companies that make a positive impact, we can work together to address water concerns and issues. From small changes in our homes to larger corporate efforts, everyone has a role to play in creating a water-abundant future.
For more information, visit moen.com.
ABOUT MOEN
Moen is the #1 consumer faucet brand in North America, offering a vast array of stylish and innovative kitchen and bath faucets, showerheads, accessories, bath safety products, kitchen sinks, garbage disposals, leak detection products and connected home offerings for residential applications that give consumers more power than ever before to understand and control the water that flows through their homes. These thoughtful designs deliver an exceptional user experience and elevate how people interact with water daily. In addition, Moen® Commercial offers superior-performing products that can deliver lower lifetime costs for today's facilities.
Moen is part of Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: FBIN), a brand, innovation and channel leader focused on exciting, supercharged categories in the home products, security and commercial building markets. Moen anchors Water Innovations (WINN), which also includes several brands under the House of Rohl® including Emtek®, Perrin & Rowe®, ROHL®, Riobel®, Shaws® and Victoria + Albert®. Fortune Brands' other brands include Fiberon® composite decking and railing products; Master Lock®, Yale® residential, August® and Sentry® Safe security products; LARSON® storm doors and Therma-Tru® entry door systems. For more information, please visit www.FBIN.com.
Contact
Samantha Eastman or Emily Baker
Falls & Co.
(216) 696-0229
seastman@fallsandco.com
ebaker@fallsandco.com
Sources
- US Bureau of Reclamation
- Ecolab Watermark Study
- Based on data provided to Flo Technologies by Smart Water Shutoff owners.
- Insurance Information Institute
- Internal Company estimate based on information from sources such as the Insurance Information Institute and the U.S. Census Bureau
- EPA WaterSense - Fix a Leak Week
- Disclaimer: Based on a combined total of 2-person households using manual activation of the CONSERVE button and allowing water to warm to 95°F. Savings are based on the EPA standard flow rate of 2.5 GPM.