Web site of the Month: WaterSense

Look for the WaterSense label to choose quality, water-efficient products. Many products are available, and don't require a change in your lifestyle. (Artwork by Environmental Protection Agency)

Treating, transporting and heating water consumes about 8 percent of the nation's energy supply, so even utilities that are not water suppliers have an interest in encouraging water conservation. The Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense partnership program is an excellent place to find ideas for promoting water efficiency to consumers.

Working with manufacturers, retailers and distributors, irrigation professionals, certifying organizations and promotional partners, the program aims to protect the nation's water supply and enhance the market for water-efficient products.  The WaterSense label on a product tells consumers that it has have been independently tested and meets EPA criteria for water efficiency and performance. Programs and practices may also qualify for the WaterSense label.

Education resources for utilities and others

Utilities, state and local governments and other public entities may join WaterSense as promotional partners, sharing ideas with the program and promoting the WaterSense philosophy to the public. Guidelines and forms for joining are available on the Web site.

There are many good reasons for utilities to join WaterSense, starting with reducing operating costs. Saving water helps utilities meet environmental goals, and can strengthen community relations. WaterSense provides partners with a promotional tool kit to let consumers know what their utility is doing to conserve water resources and how they can help. The kit includes sample bill stuffers, press releases and public service announcements and fact sheets on different aspects of the program.

Fact sheets cover general water efficiency and water supply, plumbing fixtures and irrigation. The irrigation fact sheets primarily target landscape, rather than agricultural, irrigation—not surprising since landscaping accounts for 30 percent of the water American households use. For consumers, there is advice on lawn watering and plant selection to help create attractive and water-wise environments. Irrigation professionals will find information on certification programs to expand their qualifications.

What You Can Do offers more targeted tips for helping consumers, businesses, communities and utilities save water and protect the environment. Utilities will find guidelines for developing water conservation plans, along with case studies and ideas for system improvements, programs and policies.

Finding water-saving products

The product guide is one of the most important components of WaterSense, and you don't have to be a partner to use it. Utilities can find WaterSense-labeled toilets, sink faucets and showerheads for incentives programs, promotions or simply to answer consumer questions. A U.S. map helps visitors locate WaterSense partners in their area, including vendors, certified professionals and promotional partners that may offer rebates for installing a product.

Information about certification criteria will be valuable to customer service representatives explaining the benefits of WaterSense products to consumers. Manufacturers can learn what steps are involved in earning certification for their products.

Conservation for kids

It's never too early to start educating the next generation of consumers, and the WaterSense Kids site can help.

WaterSense Kids explains the importance of saving water in easy-to-understand terms and offers simple tips children can put to work at home. The Test Your WaterSense game lets kids move the water-efficiency hero Flow through water pipes and answer water-efficiency questions while avoiding water-wasting monsters.

Most importantly, the interactive educational site has a link to the WaterSense product guide for parents. Introducing WaterSense Kids to teachers in the community may be just what is needed to start a rush on water-efficient products in your service area.

Resources

WaterSense

WaterSense label

Promotional partners

WaterSense philosophy

Guidelines and forms

Water efficiency: A Utility Player

Promotional tool kit

Fact sheets

Irrigation professional certification programs

Resources (cont.)

What You Can Do

Water Conservation Plan Guidelines Summary

Oroduct guide

U.S. WaterSense Partner locator

Product & Program Specifications

FAQ: WaterSense Product Certification and Labeling

WaterSense Kids

Test Your WaterSense

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