October 8th, 2009 · No Comments

Green Right Now Reports

The Cobb County Water System in Marietta, Ga., and Kohler, maker of water faucets and other plumbing supplies, have won government recognition for their water-conserving ways.

The EPA named them among its “WaterSense” Partners of the Year. The program highlights the many ways in which organizations can advocate for saving water:

• Cobb County water officials teamed up with Kohler, Lowe’s Home Improvement stores and others, to promote Georgia’s tax holiday for WaterSense products. WaterSense products include such things as water sensors for sprinkler systems to stop needless watering; low-flow shower heads and faucets, and toilets that use less water.

• Kohler, of Kohler, Wisc., was named “Manufacturer of the Year” for earning the WaterSense label for 40 percent of the faucets it produces and 25 percent of its toilets. Like the EPA’s EnergyStar program that recognizes light bulbs and appliances that go easy on electricity, the WaterSense program labels products so consumers can select those that conserve water.

• Lowe’s was named Retailer of the Year by the program for training more than 200,000 employees to promote WaterSense products and  increasing the percentage of WaterSense labeled products in its inventory.

The EPA estimates that its 1,000-plus WaterSense partners helped Americans save more than 9.3 billion gallons of water in 2008.

The James City Service Authority in Williamsburg, Va., also was recognized for promoting water conservation, and Brian Vinchesi of Mooresvile, N.C., was named “Irrigation Partner of the Year.”

The EPA urges everyone to think about conserving water.

“Water shortage is a growing concern in the United States. By making just a few simple changes, you can not only save hundreds of dollars for yourself, but trillions of gallons of water and billions of dollars for the country,” says Virginia Lee of the WaterSense program.

For more information on the winners and how you can save water, see the WaterSense website.