Website Tracks Development of New U.S. EPA Water Efficiency Program

Dec. 2, 2003

A new section of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website provides up-to-date information about the agency's Water Efficiency Program, which was announced recently.

According to the announcement, EPA plans to develop the program in conjunction with private- and public-sector partners to promote the use of water-efficient consumer products, such as high-efficiency toilets and appliances. The program will inform consumers and businesses about the advantages of using water-efficient products, promote the manufacture of such products, and encourage distributors, retailers, and water utilities to promote their use, the statement said.

The program also may include a product labeling system similar to that used in EPA's Energy Star program, which provides for labeling of products meeting official criteria for superior energy efficiency, the statement says. The new Web page includes various background documents on the program, as well as a report on an initial meeting the agency held with stakeholders in October to explore potential approaches and partnership arrangements. Included are a list of meeting participants, materials from several presentations, a meeting summary, post-meeting comments, and an online registration form for the next stakeholders meeting, scheduled for Jan. 15 in Austin, Texas. The information is accessible at www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/products_program.htm.

Source: EPA