WaterSense Awards

In February 2008, EPA announced the first annual WaterSense awards program. The new awards program was designed to recognize WaterSense partners who:

• Helped advance the overall mission of WaterSense
• Increased awareness of the WaterSense brand in a measurable way
• Demonstrated overall excellence in the water-efficiency arena
  
  

Information about award categories, eligibility, the application process, recognition venues, and important dates is available below.

Award Categories

In the award program's inaugural year, EPA will recognize partners in the following categories:

• Promotional Partner of the Year
• Manufacturer Partner of the Year
• Retailer/Distributor Partner of the Year
• Irrigation Partner of the Year
  

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Eligibility

To be eligible for an award, partners must have:

1. Joined the program prior to January 1, 2008. Award decisions are based on partner's activities in 2007.
2. Submited annual data per the partnership agreement (irrigation partners excluded).
3. Submitted an awards application by April 18, 2008.

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Application Process

The 2008 application period has closed. However, the following materials are still available for informational purposes. Applicants were asked to download and complete the WaterSense awards application, submit a written statement addressing the evaluation criteria described in the instructions, and provide supporting materials.

The 2008 application materials included:

• 2008 WaterSense Awards Application (PDF) (1 pp, 347K, About PDF)
• Instructions:
  
  • Promotional Partners (PDF) (2 pp, 132K, About PDF)
  • Manufacturer Partners (PDF) (2 pp, 131K, About PDF)
  • Retail/Distributor Partners (PDF) (2 pp, 131K, About PDF)
  • Irrigation Partners (PDF) (2 pp, 130K, About PDF)
    

After evaluating the 2008 application submissions, EPA may revise the evaluation criteria for 2009, but they are likely to be similar to those used in 2008. The criteria provide a "road map" for successful WaterSense partners who are working to fulfill the WaterSense mission. EPA selected the example activities listed in each sector's instruction manual to demonstrate the type of activities WaterSense believes are most important to meeting the partnership's goals.

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Recognition Venues

EPA will present WaterSense awards at the inaugural Water Smart Innovations Conference and Tradeshow scheduled for October 8 - 10, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV. WaterSense is cosponsoring this premier event, which is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees and 100 exhibitors, resulting in the world's largest, most comprehensive conference focusing on urban water-efficiency practices, policies and products. The event, which will be organized by the Southern Nevada Water Authority and co-sponsored by WaterSense, is intended to promote and disseminate information pertaining to innovative water-efficient technologies, processes, and programs to industry professionals; utilities; local, state, and federal governments; WaterSense partners; and the public. The WaterSense Irrigation Partner of the Year will be recognized at a separate venue yet to be determined.

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Important Dates

• February 8, 2008: Award application forms, instructions, and detailed evaluation criteria posted on the WaterSense Web site.
• April 18, 2008: Award applications due to EPA.
• June 27, 2008: EPA reveals final award decisions to applicants.
• October 8-10, 2008: EPA announces award winners at the Water Smart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas.
• December 2008: EPA announces Irrigation Partner of the Year.