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About WaterSense Awards

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About the Awards Program

Launched in 2008, the WaterSense Partners of the Year awards program recognizes WaterSense partners who:

  • Help advance the overall mission of WaterSense
  • Increase awareness of the WaterSense brand in a measurable way
  • Demonstrate overall excellence in the water-efficiency arena

Partners of the Year contribute to the program's success by enhancing the market for water-efficient products, practices, and services. Manufacturer partners design and produce innovative WaterSense labeled products that reduce water use by at least 20 percent; retailers and distributors help bring these products to consumers; promotional partners educate the public at large and can provide consumers with incentives; builder and licensed certification providers construct, inspect and promote WaterSense labeled new homes, and landscape irrigation professionals design, maintain, and audit outdoor irrigation systems. Dedicated partners in each sector are critical to the program's success and the WaterSense Partner of the Year awards program acknowledges the "best of the best."

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2011 Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an award, partners were required to have:

  • Joined the program prior to January 1, 2011. Award decisions are based on a partner's activities in 2010.
  • Submitted an annual reporting formExit EPA Disclaimerper the partnership agreement (irrigation partners do not need to submit a reporting form, but must be in good standing with their certification program(s).
  • Submitted a complete awards applicationExit EPA Disclaimerby Friday, April 8, 2011.
  • All partners who submit a complete Partner of the Year award application package are automatically considered for additional recognition.

Please note: All applicants selected as potential award winners will be screened for any recent or outstanding civil or criminal environmental actions at the state and national levels. Results of this screening will be factored into the final winner selection process. You may wish to confirm that your organization has no recent or outstanding enforcement issues before completing an application.

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2011 Application Process & Materials

The 2011 application process is now closed. For more information about eligibility and criteria, visit the WaterSense partner websiteExit EPA Disclaimer.

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Tips for Success

There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your activities stand out from the pack.

  • Partner of the Year Awards are based on activities that increase awareness about WaterSense and WaterSense labeled products. General education on the importance of water efficiency is valued, but your application should focus on outreach, incentives, advertising, public relations, and other activities that educate your customers, employees, or other stakeholders about WaterSense and your affiliation with the program.
  • Emphasis is placed on working with other partners to promote WaterSense, such as partners who collaborate to promote a campaign or event (such as Fix a Leak Week promotions, partner recruiting campaigns, or a sales tax holiday for WaterSense labeled products). If you need help starting a collaborative effort, just let us know—WaterSense is happy to help!
  • Be sure to provide measurable results in your written statement—water saved, number of people reached, rebates cashed, products sold, signs posted, newsletters distributed, etc.

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Past WaterSense Partners of the Year

Learn what past WaterSense Partners of the Year winners have done to increase water efficiency and promote the WaterSense label within their respective partner categories.

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