Robin Woods
202-564-7841
woods.robin@epa.gov
EPA's WAVE program recently expanded partnership eligibility to educational institutions and office buildings. WAVE encourages commercial businesses and institutions to reduce water consumption while increasing efficiency, profitability and competitiveness. Adopting water-efficiency measures can help organizations reduce water and sewer expenses by as much as 30 percent as well as reduce energy, chemical, and maintenance costs. When the program was initially launched in 1992, it focused on the lodging industry. It now includes such chains as Westin, Hyatt, Sheraton, Outrigger, LaQuinta and Accor Economy Lodging, as well as 40 other hotel partners.
Since announcing WAVE's expansion, 35 educational institutions have joined WAVE, representing over 2,300 buildings and a total enrollment of more than 285,000 students. Included in the newest category of membership are Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Florida at Gainesville, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, and Colorado Mountain College. Several large school districts are also new partners: Fontana Unified School District and Palmdale School District in California, Rochester Community Schools in Michigan, and the School District of the City of Erie, Pennsylvania. More information on the WAVE program and other water conservation programs and links is available at: http://www.epa.gov/owm, click on "Water Efficiency."
