AWE

Did you know that our Tracking Tool has now been used nearly 300 times to help North American communities plan conservation programs? AWE can't continue this important work to secure a sustainable and efficient water future without your support. Please consider helping us reach our 2013 goal by making a donation and by spreading the word this Earth Month. Thank you!


Support A4WE
www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org
To continue this critical work in these challenging economic times, we need to raise $200,000 by the end of 2013. We need you to help us get there.

Take your landscape mobile! Design a xeriscape garden with this award winning new app from the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.


Xeriscaping app wins award
www.bizjournals.com
The Office of the State Engineer’s new landscaping app has earned a Gold Medal...

Is your landscape green? Perhaps not as much as you think...


Urban grass might be greener, but that doesn't mean it's 'greener'
www.sciencedaily.com
New research explores how efforts to keep urban lawns looking green and healthy might negate the soil's natural ability to store atmospheric toxins.

Happy Water Wednesday! Check out these top comedians participating in the Comics for Conservation contest for a mid-week laugh.


http://www.wylandfoundation.org/custom_page.php?page=comicsforconservation
www.wylandfoundation.org
Comics all over the country are getting together to help spread the word about the importance of conserving water. Help your favorite comedian win $500 to the environmental charity of their choice by liking their YouTube video.

The AWE 2013 Business Guide is now available! The Guide showcases the latest thinking and leading technologies in water efficiency and conservation offered by our Business and Industry members. Consider it your go-to resource for manufacturers and distributors of water-efficient products, technical assistance for program planning, and professional services for all your water-related needs. Find it at www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org.

AWE Never Waste bottles will be keeping runners hydrated at the City of Palo Alto's Great Race for Saving Water on April 27. Learn more about this family-friendly 5K run/walk to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation, and visit www.NeverWaste.org to get equipped with a hydration device for spring runs, walks and hikes.


The Great Race for Saving Water
events.r20.constantcontact.com
A race to raise awareness about water resources and the importance of conservation. Sponsosred by the City of Palo Alto and Tuolumne River Trust.

In Colorado, persistent drought leaves little water for irrigation and threatens the growing season for farmers this year, supporting the need for ongoing efficiency efforts. Listen to the NPR story here.


Colorado Farmers Scramble To Find Irrigation Water : NPR
www.npr.org
Cities have gobbled up water rights for decades, leaving farmers to rent the water back to irrigate crops and raise cattle. During a drought, cities are reluctant to give up any of their reserves. With little irrigation water, farmers must plant less, hire fewer people and bank on crop insurance.

The Never Waste bottles in action at the launch of the Water: Take 1 film competition in Ventura, Calif. last month. Learn more about this exciting initiative that aims to highlight our relationship with water at www.watertake1.com and get your own bottle at www.NeverWaste.org to join the Blue Revolution!


2013 Water: Take 1 Film Contest Launches
Ventura community members joined Ventura Water and sponsors to kickoff year two of the Water: Take 1 program

Our first national water census in 35 years is progressing...slowly.


Dept. of Interior releases progress report on first National Water Census since 1978
www.waterworld.com

April 8 is the deadline for submitting comments on the WaterSense draft PRSV specification. If you have an opinion, speak now or wait five years until this spec comes up for review again.


Draft Specification for Commercial Pre-Rinse Spray Valves | WaterSense | US EPA
www.epa.gov
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader.

Check out this Huffington Post piece on the linkages between our food, water and energy systems and the need to move forward with a "nexus approach", including a shout out for the AWE/ACEEE Water and Energy Efficiency Awards as an example of great collaboration.


9 Things to Know About the Food, Water and Energy Nexus
www.huffingtonpost.com
Recent extreme weather events, oil spills and increasing food prices tell us that we can no longer view our food, water and energy systems in isolation. This means gaining a better understanding of how these three systems connect and then taking carefully considered actions to ensure food, water and...

A different type of toilet "leek".


Timeline Photos
From a fan. #AMorePerfectOnion

Utility operating revenues have been largely stagnant over the past 12 years, but not all are in decline according to new work from the Water Research Foundation released last month. The project analyzed financial data for government water and wastewater utilities in California, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin.


New WRF Study Shows Stagnant or Slightly Increasing Utility Operating Revenues - Water Efficiency Wa
www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org
Water Efficiency Watch Newsletter March-April 2013

Spring is here, which means more gardening, car washing and outdoor fun. Water wisely outdoors and help Never Waste - A running garden hose wastes 32 bottles every minute! Check out smart landscaping and irrigation tips at neverwaste.org.

We're partnering with the Wyland Foundation to kick off the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation today! Make your pledge to conserve water and save energy during Earth Month (April 1 - 30), and you can win hundreds of prizes, including a Toyota Prius, water saving fixtures, and our own Never Waste bottles! Its free and only takes 1 minute. Visit www.mywaterpledge.com to start and help your city raise its ranking. If you're an AWE member looking to get your city involved, contact us!

As efficiency and conservation efforts moved forward in Texas last week, they took a step backward in Georgia, where the Senate halted a proposed expansion of funding for water efficiency.


‘Demand-side’ approach to water projects suffers setback - Atlanta Business Chronicle
www.bizjournals.com
Legislation aimed at boosting state funding of water conservation and water-use ...

A Friday Never Waste Fact: Letting the water run while brushing your teeth wastes 6 bottles every time. That's 84 per week and more than 4,000 per year! Remind friends and family to Never Waste this weekend, and find more ways to make a measurable impact with minor changes at www.neverwaste.org


Never Waste Water Bottle | Shop Home Water Works
www.home-water-works.org
Join the Blue Revolution and get the Never Waste water bottle from the Alliance for Water Efficiency to show your support for wise water use. Each purchase advances critical work to help water-stressed North American communities and businesses conserve water. This high-quality, 20 ounce, stainless s...

Win a Never Waste bottle today from our friends at TheGoodHuman.com, which showcases how individual behavior can affect the rest of humanity and provides resources for green living. The giveaway ends at 7 am EST tomorrow. Check it out now and visit NeverWaste.org to join the Blue Revolution!


Reusable Water Bottle Giveaway from 'The Never Waste' Campaign - The Good Human
thegoodhuman.com
Thanks to the good folks at Never Waste, readers of The Good Human now have a chance to win one of these reusable water bottles.

Happy Texas Water Day! AWE is down in Austin today to discuss a sustainable water future in Texas. The latest in efforts to sustain this thirsty state in the face of continued drought: new funding to finance water projects including new infrastructure and conservation moves through approvals.


Texas House takes step toward $2 bln water infrastructure plan
www.reuters.com
AUSTIN, Texas, March 27 (Reuters) - The Texas House ofRepresentatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill thatwould create a fund to finance water infrastructure projects ina state suffering

It's been 10 years since two engineers decided that water efficient toilets could and should perform better. More proof that committed individuals really can change the world.


One Decade Later: MaP Testing Has Spurred Dramatic Improvements in Toilet Performance
www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org
Water Efficiency Watch Newsletter March-April 2013