WaterSense Funding Under Threat... Again
While Congress recognized the success and importance of WaterSense this past December by authorizing the program as part of America’s Water Infrastructure and Improvement Act, President Trump’s proposed FY 2020 budget proposes elimination of the WaterSense program. IAPMO is urging legislators to reject the administration’s proposal and approve funding for WaterSense in FY 2020 at the FY 2019 level of $3.1 million or higher.
Since its inception in 2006, WaterSense has proven to be a model for an effective public-private partnership program. This voluntary program has helped Americans save more than 3 trillion gallons of water and more than $65 billion in water and energy bills. Favored by manufacturers and environmentalists alike, the WaterSense labeling program helps consumers select products that not only save water, but which are independently tested and certified to provide excellent consumer satisfaction.
It's difficult to conceive of a governmental program as successful and well utilized as the EPA’s WaterSense program. Water utilities across the country (and even in Canada!) reference WaterSense as part of their water conservation incentive programs. With our country facing certain water shortages in the years to come, we cannot turn away from the profound benefits this program provides to Americans at such a small cost.
The House Appropriations subcommittee has votes to approve EPA’s funding above last year’s level and above the president’s budget. It still has to be voted on by the Senate, but we’re trending in the right direction.
IAPMO urges the industry to contact Interior-EPA Committee Leadership: Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tom Udall (D-NM), Reps. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and David Joyce (R-OH), and request they include language to preserve the WaterSense program. |
