Welcome to the premier issue of
the Partner Pipeline, a quarterly eBulletin
designed to give our partners a brief update on WaterSense
program announcements and relevant water-efficiency
topics and resources, as well as highlight our newest
partners.
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Issue I, Spring 2007
In This Issue:
Program
News
June 24-27, 2007WaterSense at AWWA
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) will hold its 2007
Annual Conference and Exposition in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The
conference and exposition will also include a session on "How
to Bring WaterSense to Your Community".
April 24, 2007Partner Pipeline Forum
EPA will be holding quarterly Web conference calls during which
participants will hear from experts on an array of relevant water-efficiency
topics. The first call will be held April 24, 2007, on "How
to Bring WaterSense to Your Community."
March 22, 2007Welcome Call
All new partners are invited to our first welcome call where EPA
staff will help you become familiar with the WaterSense program
and accompanying tools and resources. If you are a new partner,
send an e-mail to watersense@epa.gov
with your name, title, organization, city, state, and phone number
to sign up, and we will send you confirmation by e-mail with the
call-in information. You may also call (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367)
for more information.
February 8, 2007Bathroom Faucet Specs
WaterSense released the draft
specification for high-efficiency bathroom sink faucets. The
draft specification will be open for review and comment through
March 23, 2007. EPA has extended the comment period for the Draft
High-Efficiency Bathroom Sink Faucet Specification to May 7, 2007.
January 24, 2007High-Efficiency Toilet Specs
WaterSense released the final
specifications for the latest generation of water-saving, high-efficiency
toilets. Those that use less than 1.3 gallons per flush and
meet performance standards for quality will qualify for EPA's WaterSense
label to help consumers make informed buying decisions about water-efficient
products.
Tools and Resources
EPA
is pleased to announce that the Promotional Tool Kit for Utilities,
Communities, States, and Other Organizations is ready for distribution.
All new partners will receive a hard copy of the tool kit and accompanying
CD by the end of March 2007.
This comprehensive publication offers sections on branding, communicating
with the public, working with the media, and contains materials
specifically for water utilities to use as part of ongoing water
conservation efforts and to assist in marketing directly to customers.
The resources include:
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Ideas for promotional items, including bill stuffers, magnet,
and stickers.
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Templates for a press release, letter-to-the-editor, and opinion-editorial
column.
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Guidelines for using the program and partner logos and the
promotional label, as well as electronic versions of these marks.
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Fact sheets on different aspects of the program.
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And much more.
For a more comprehensive review of the tool kit, join us for the
first WaterSense Partner Welcome Call on March 22, 2007.
Partner Spotlight
![photograph of Zilker Botanical Gardens](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510023809im_/http://www.epa.gov/watersense/images/pp_austin.jpg) |
An award-winning demonstration
at Zilker Botanical Gardens shows Austin customers
how to design, install, and maintain rainwater harvesting
equipment. |
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With all the excitement and buzz that came with launching WaterSense
in June 2006, the Austin Water Utility could not
wait to join and became the first WaterSense partner when enrollment
for the program officially opened in October 2006.
Water conservation efforts in Austin have contributed to a substantial
reduction in per capita water use. The city considers water efficiency
as one of the strategies required to meet its long-term water needs.
Due to Austin's increased growth and subsequent increased water
consumption, city officials have made a concerted effort during
the past two decades to address inefficient water use practices.
Austin Water Utility's Water Conservation Division developed several
programs during this time to increase water efficiency, including
rebates for efficient fixtures and appliances, rainwater harvesting,
and irrigation system upgrades. "Our hope is that the WaterSense
program will make it easier than ever for customers to identify
water-efficient products and make better choices when upgrading
fixtures in their home" says Tony Gregg, manager of the Water
Conservation Division. The utility is currently exploring increased
incentives for high-efficiency toilets to coincide with the release
of the first WaterSense labeled products.
Despite the success of these past programs, Austin continues to
look for new and innovative ways to save water. In late September
2006, the Austin City Council formed the Water Conservation Task
Force to find ways to implement a June 2006 directive to implement
aggressive water conservation measures. In a 120-day timeframe,
staff developed and presented cost-effective water conservation
measures designed to reduce peak-day use by 1 percent annually for
the next 10 years. The task force will present the recommended policy
document to the city council in spring 2007. The anticipated recommendations
include changes to the plumbing code, a retrofit on resale for inefficient
plumbing fixtures, mandatory irrigation analyses for large commercial
properties, and stricter summer watering regulations. Together,
the measures should result in peak-day water savings of nearly 33
million gallons per day at an average cost of roughly $1.13 per
gallonone-third the cost of building new treatment capacity.
Visit Austin's Water Conservation
Web page
for more information.
New Partners
Since October 2006, 28 new partners listed below have joined WaterSense.
Additionally, four manufacturers and two certifying organizations
have become partners.
Acton Water District, MA
Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, MI
American Rivers, Inc., DC
Austin Water Utility, TX
Butler County Department of
Environmental Services, OH
City of Austell, GA
City of Renton, WA
City of Sioux Falls, SD
Cobb County Water System, GA
Colorado Springs Utilities, CO
Concord Public Works, MA
Georgia Water Wise Council
Guam Waterworks Authority
Helix Water District, CA
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Island Water Association, Inc., FL
Loudoun County Sanitation Authority, VA
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, FL
Obed Watershed Community Association, TN
Salem Public Works, OR
Seattle Public Utilities, WA
Sonoma County Water Agency, CA
Swalley Irrigation District, OR
Town of Shrewsbury, MA
Town of Windsor, CA
Tualatin Valley Water District, OR
Waste Reduction Partners, NC
Water Conservation Alliance of Southern Arizona
Westford Water Department, MA
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For More Information
(866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) | www.epa.gov/watersense
| watersense@epa.gov
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