WaterSense gets vote of confidence
The EPA’s WaterSense program is officially on the chopping block. But a recent move by the house committee that oversees EPA funding is making a stand for the program.
The House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee, which oversees EPA funding, yesterday outlined its support of the EPA’s WaterSense program while rejecting its proposed elimination in a report accompanying its approved fiscal year 2019 (FY19) budget for the Departments of Interior and EPA.
Administered by the EPA, WaterSense is a voluntary, consumer product program that promotes water efficiency. The WaterSense label signifies that the product meets high performance standards while using at least 20 percent less water than products meeting federal water-efficiency standards.
The committee members supporting the program received applause from Plumbing Manufacturers International. The committee is led by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Interior/EPA Subcommittee chair. PMI and its members, along with a number of trade associations and non-governmental organizations, have met with dozens of members of Congress, including members of the Appropriations Committee, to underscore the benefits of the program, the group said. PMI is supporting similar report language in the Senate.
“We are pleased to continue to see bipartisan support on Capitol Hill of this successful water savings program vital to manufacturers, consumers, states, cities, and utilities,” said PMI CEO/Executive Director Kerry Stackpole. “Established is 2006, WaterSense is an example of an effective collaboration between industry and the government in determining voluntary and water-efficient performance measures that can be used by consumers and industry, as well as by states and local governments.”
In March, PMI delivered a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt highlighting the benefits of the WaterSense public-private partnership and strongly recommending its continuation. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration targeted 50 EPA programs for elimination, including the WaterSense program.
Plumbing manufacturers have developed more than 21,000 WaterSense-labeled product models, including showerheads, toilets, faucets, faucet accessories, flushing urinals, flushometer-valve toilets found in commercial and institutional facilities, and pre-rinse spray valves for commercial kitchens.
More than 1,900 manufacturers, water and energy utilities, distributors, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and retailers nationwide have partnered with the WaterSense program.
To view the FY19 House Interior/EPA budget and report, go to: https://appropriations.house.gov/uploadedfiles/interior_report.pdf
The House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee, which oversees EPA funding, yesterday outlined its support of the EPA’s WaterSense program while rejecting its proposed elimination in a report accompanying its approved fiscal year 2019 (FY19) budget for the Departments of Interior and EPA.
Administered by the EPA, WaterSense is a voluntary, consumer product program that promotes water efficiency. The WaterSense label signifies that the product meets high performance standards while using at least 20 percent less water than products meeting federal water-efficiency standards.
The committee members supporting the program received applause from Plumbing Manufacturers International. The committee is led by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Interior/EPA Subcommittee chair. PMI and its members, along with a number of trade associations and non-governmental organizations, have met with dozens of members of Congress, including members of the Appropriations Committee, to underscore the benefits of the program, the group said. PMI is supporting similar report language in the Senate.
“We are pleased to continue to see bipartisan support on Capitol Hill of this successful water savings program vital to manufacturers, consumers, states, cities, and utilities,” said PMI CEO/Executive Director Kerry Stackpole. “Established is 2006, WaterSense is an example of an effective collaboration between industry and the government in determining voluntary and water-efficient performance measures that can be used by consumers and industry, as well as by states and local governments.”
In March, PMI delivered a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt highlighting the benefits of the WaterSense public-private partnership and strongly recommending its continuation. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration targeted 50 EPA programs for elimination, including the WaterSense program.
Plumbing manufacturers have developed more than 21,000 WaterSense-labeled product models, including showerheads, toilets, faucets, faucet accessories, flushing urinals, flushometer-valve toilets found in commercial and institutional facilities, and pre-rinse spray valves for commercial kitchens.
More than 1,900 manufacturers, water and energy utilities, distributors, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and retailers nationwide have partnered with the WaterSense program.
To view the FY19 House Interior/EPA budget and report, go to: https://appropriations.house.gov/uploadedfiles/interior_report.pdf