Partner Pipeline

An eBulletin available only to WaterSense partners, the Partner Pipeline, gives partners the latest news and information about the program.

This is the inaugrural issue of the Partner Pipeline meant to provide an example of on the great resources you'll receive once you become a WaterSense promotional partner.

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.

Issue I, Spring 2007

In This Issue:

• Program News

• Tools and Resources

• Partner Spotlight: Austin, Texas

• New Partners

Program News

June 24-27, 2007—WaterSense 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, 2007—Partner 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, 2007—Welcome 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, 2007—Bathroom 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, 2007—High-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.

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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:

• Ideas for promotional items, including bill stuffers, magnet, and stickers.

• Templates for a press release, letter-to-the-editor, and opinion-editorial column.

• Guidelines for using the program and partner logos and the promotional label, as well as electronic versions of these marks.

• Fact sheets on different aspects of the program.

• 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.

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Partner Spotlight

An award-winning demonstration at Zilker Botanical Gardens shows Austin customers how to design, install, and maintain rainwater harvesting equipment.

Austin Water Utility, Texas

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 gallon—one-third the cost of building new treatment capacity.

Visit Austin's Water Conservation Web page for more information.

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New Partners

Since October 2006, 28 new partners listed below have joined WaterSense. Additionally, four manufacturers and two certifying organizations have become partners.

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For More Information

(866) WTR-SENS (987-7367)   |   www.epa.gov/watersense   |   watersense@epa.gov

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