AMWA joined a coalition of 30 organizations, utilities, and private companies in December to write to Congress in support of legislation that would formally authorize EPA’s WaterSense program at $87.5 million over four years. The action came as the House of Representatives approved a broad energy policy bill that included a WaterSense authorization, though without the promise of funding.
Organized by the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the letter expressed support for the “Water Advanced Technologies for Efficient Resource Use (WATER Use) Act” (H.R. 3720), which would codify EPA’s WaterSense program in statute. Created by EPA in 2006, WaterSense is a voluntary labeling and recognition program that helps consumers select water-efficient home appliances. Other sections of H.R. 3720 would direct federal agencies to give purchase preference to WaterSense-certified products and services, and would offer aid to local governments and water utilities that establish incentive programs that offer rebate programs to encourage customers to purchase WaterSense products. Rep. Matthew Cartwright (D-Penn.) introduced the bill earlier this year.
“Congressional authorization and funding provided by this legislation will provide much needed support for this important program to grow and flourish, which will directly improve the end use efficiency of water use in the United States,” the letter said.
AMWA and the other organizations sent the letter just days after the House of Representatives approved H.R. 8, a Republican-backed energy policy bill that also included a section codifying WaterSense – though without the funding authorization that is part of H.R. 3720. The House energy bill also contained a Smart Energy and Water Efficiency pilot program, which would direct the Energy Department to award between three and five grants to municipalities or water utilities that propose innovative technology-based solutions that increase the energy and water efficiency of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems. The total amount of grants distributed under the pilot program would be limited to no more than $15 million.