October 11, 2011

1) WaterSense Partners of the Year Recognized for Dedication to Water Efficiency
2) New EPA Summary of Fish Advisories Across the U.S. in 2010

1) WaterSense Partners of the Year Recognized for Dedication to Water Efficiency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized five organizations and one individual as the 2011 WaterSense Partners of the Year. More than 2,200 partners make WaterSense labeled products and new homes more affordable and easy to find, including the six Partners of the Year who have shown outstanding contributions to water-efficiency. WaterSense partners nationwide are manufacturing and selling a range of products, supporting green jobs, and promoting the protection of water resources.

WaterSense recognized partners in each of the following sectors:

· Promotional Partner: Cobb County Water System – This two-time WaterSense Partner of the Year educates Georgia consumers on water-efficiency through events and presentations, leading to an 80 percent familiarity of WaterSense among area consumers.
· Manufacturer Partner: Delta Faucet Company – A significant portion of the company's product line has earned the WaterSense label. They have conducted widespread promotional activities and led a coalition of stakeholders in developing a performance test for showerheads.
· Retailer Partner: The Home Depot – The retail chain sells only WaterSense labeled lavatory faucets in its 2,000 locations across the country and calculates that customers saved roughly 27 billion gallons of water and $174 million on water utility bills in 2010.
· Builder Partner: KB Home – This national home-building company unveiled the first WaterSense labeled homes in November 2010 at its Springwood community in Roseville, Calif.
· Licensed Certification Provider for WaterSense Labeled New Homes: Energy Inspectors Corporation – Working closely with WaterSense partner KB Home, the corporation inspected and certified the first WaterSense labeled new homes and recruited additional builder partners.
· Irrigation Partner: Christopher Curry – The sole individual Partner of the Year practices water-efficient irrigation design and helps the San Diego Parks & Recreation Department save 3 million gallons of water per year.

For more information on the Partners of the Year and Excellence Award winners, visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/partners/watersense_awards.html  

For more information on EPA's WaterSense partnership program, visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/

2) New EPA Summary of Fish Advisories Across the U.S. in 2010
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a fact sheet summarizing the National Listing of Fish Advisories for 2010. As in previous years, states continued to increase their monitoring and assessment activities related to contaminants in noncommercial fish.

EPA believes the increase in monitoring—rather than changes in contaminant levels--is the main reason for the continued upward trend in the amount of U.S. waters placed under advisory. EPA also encourages states to issue safe eating guidelines when providing advice. Safe eating guidelines are in effect in 21 states and the total number has increased since 2008. The guidelines identify fish that are safe to consume, and promote enjoyment of recreational fishing.

The National Listing of Fish Advisories, which was initiated in 1993, is a compilation of fish advisory information provided to EPA by states, tribes, territories, and local governments. The data are voluntarily submitted to EPA in an effort to provide a central repository of fish consumption advisory information for the United States. 

EPA formats the data and makes the information available at: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/fishadvisories/advisories_index.cfm