The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has honored five organizations as 2012 WaterSense Partners of the Year. WaterSense-labeled products manufactured by these organizations and more than 2,600 WaterSense partners nationwide have helped American businesses and households save 287 billion gallons of water and $4.7 billion in water and energy bills.
“WaterSense is proud to partner with these champions of water efficiency who share our mission to protect the future of our nation’s water supply,” said Nancy Stoner, EPA’s acting assistant administrator for water. “The 2012 WaterSense Partners of the Year were exceptional in their efforts to support innovative approaches to help people and companies save water and money on utility bills nationwide.”
The WaterSense Manufacturer Partners of the Year included American Standard Brands for developing a WaterSense-labeled toilet model that can be installed without tools, amongst other achievements, and Kohler Co., for introducing its most water-efficient dual-flush toilet in 2011. Kohler also more than doubled the number of WaterSense-labeled showerheads it offers.
The Retailer Partner of the Year was given to Lowe’s Companies for supporting and participating in the “Wasting Water Is Weird” campaign to promote water conservation and training its sales associates on water savings and the usability of WaterSense-labeled products.
Colorado Springs Utilities was named the WaterSense Promotional Partner of the Year for helping a local builder create the first WaterSense-labeled home in Colorado. Additionally, KB Home was given the Builder Partner of the Year recognition for building nearly 100 WaterSense-labeled homes in 2011 and pushing the limits of sustainable building with a model home designed to achieve net-zero energy use and the highest levels of water and other resource efficiency.
For more information on the 2012 WaterSense Partners of the Year and Excellence Award winners, click here.
