WaterSense State Challenge

The WaterSense State Challenge is helping state organizations build a state network of WaterSense partners. Using this credible, national brand at the local level will provide consistency in educating the public and will amplify statewide efforts to make water efficiency a priority.

Water efficiency, as part of a state's broader conservation goals, can help reduce water and wastewater infrastructure costs, conserve resources for future generations, and maximize source water protection efforts.

What Are the Benefits of Joining the Challenge?

EPA will recognize and reward state partners that recruit the greatest percentage of utilities to join WaterSense. Some of the benefits of joining the State Challenge include:

• Tools and resources to help you promote water efficiency and recruit utilities to follow your lead by becoming WaterSense partners.
  
  
• Recognition from EPA as a leader in water efficiency and, for the winner(s), working together with the EPA in a statewide water-efficiency outreach campaign.
  

What Does the Winning State Get?

The winning state(s) will have the opportunity to collaborate with EPA on a media outreach campaign that could include one or more of the following:

• Media tour with interviews and event.
  
  
• Consumer education campaign.
  
  
• Social marketing training for utilities.
  

How Will the Challenge Work?

EPA held a kickoff call in mid-January to explain the challenge and answer questions. At that time, EPA provided challenge participants with tools and materials to help urge utilities to join. All states have from January 16 through August 16 to recruit utilities to join WaterSense.

The winning state(s) will be selected based on the success of their efforts to recruit utilities to join WaterSense. Award decisions are to be made by October 2008.