releases: http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-introduces-legislation-aimed-at-conserving-a-critical-natural
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-introduces-legislation-aimed-at-conserving-a-critical-natural | Cartwright Introduces Legislation Aimed at Conserving a Critical Natural Resource | 2015-10-08 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | PA | Matt Cartwright | C001090 | cartwright.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced legislation that will empower individuals and incentivize the federal government to conserve water. The Water Advanced Technologies for Efficient Resource Use Act of 2015 (WATER Use), will help consumers identify more efficient water products including faucets, toilets, and washing machines by codifying the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) WaterSense certification program. WaterSense is a voluntary labeling and recognition program created by EPA in 2006 as a water-friendly companion to Energy Star, which is a similar program administered by EPA and the DOE. Today, WaterSense certified services and products are at least 20 percent more efficient than average products in the same category, Rep. Cartwright said, a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources. These more efficient products can help us save billions of gallons of water each year. In addition, this legislation statutorily directs all federal agencies to give purchase preference to WaterSense-certified products and services, providing greater certainty than existing Executive Orders addressing the issue. The bill would also provide assistance to state, local, and tribal governments; wastewater, water, and energy utilities; and nonprofit organizations to support incentive programs for consumer purchases of residential water-efficient products and services. There is an undeniable strain on one of our most critical natural resources that will become even more severe in the future, Rep. Cartwright said. This legislation is a commonsense, but critical step towards the conservation of water. "EPA's WaterSense program is one of most cost-effective programs within the federal government. Due to the efforts of WaterSense, since 2006, nearly 350 billion of gallons of water have been saved. We applaud Representative Cartwright's work on The WATER Use Act," said Dain M. Hansen, Senior Vice President at the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. In addition to codifying the WaterSense program, this common sense legislation also directs the federal government to purchase the most water efficient products on the marketsaving water and ultimately saving taxpayers' money. This bill also provides assistance to state and local government's facing a wide range of water issues. It is clear from the drought impacting much of our nation, this legislative is desperately needed. "The Alliance for Water Efficiency is thrilled that Representative Cartwright has shown such leadership in introducing this bill. Curbing wasteful water use must be a high national priority in these drought times, and the WaterSense product labeling program can go a long way to address that, said Mary Ann Dickinson, President and CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency. Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) applauds Representative Cartwright for introducing this legislation, Water Advanced Technologies for Efficient Resources Use Act of 2015 (WATER Use Act), which recognizes the importance of the WaterSense program, a public-private partnership, that encourages consumers to decrease indoor water use through high efficient plumbing products, services, and practices which will save water, as well as money and energy, said Barbara C. Higgens, PMI CEO/Executive Director. Meghan Boian, an Associate of Conservation and Government Relations with American Rivers endorsed the legislation, American Rivers is concerned about the quality as well as quantity of clean water in our nations' rivers. We work to ensure the availability of clean water to human and natural communities. Rivers and the water they provide are finite resources, and we take them for granted at our peril. The WATER Use Act promotes the use of water efficient products which in turn will help to conserve America's most valuable natural resource, water. The legislation has also been endorsed by the following organizations: High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition, River Network, STEMhero, Kohler Co., and WaterDM This legislation has been co-sponsored by the following U.S. Representatives: Blumenauer, Bordallo, Connolly, Garamendi, Honda, Huffman, Kirkpatrick, Lieu, Lowenthal, Matsui, Napolitano, Norton, Perlmutter, Peters, Tonko, Thompson, Torres, and Tsongas | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |