September 26, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership with two WaterSense Sustained Excellence awards – one as a Promotional Partner and one for the partnership’s Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper program as a Professional Certifying Organization. WaterSense honored its Sustained Excellence, Partner of the Year and Excellence Award winners during the WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas. The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership was one of 19 Sustained Excellence Award winners.

WaterSense recognized the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership for its water conservation achievements in 2023, including coordinating the partnership’s Dye Tab Challenge contest with the WaterSense Program’s Fix-a-Leak Week and a collaboration with Sonoma Clean Power and Sonoma County Library to make the water- and energy-saving DIY Toolkit available with tools, information, and water- and energy-efficient fixtures, including free WaterSense-labeled showerheads and faucet aerators. WaterSense also recognized the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership’s Qualified Water Efficient Landscape Program (QWEL) for its continued excellence in educating landscape professionals in sustainable and water efficient landscape practices. The partnership improved accessibility with classes and testing available in both English and Spanish.

In addition to the EPA WaterSense Sustained Excellence Awards, the Partnership received the Smart Water Technologies 2024 Outstanding Industry Partnership Award from the Irrigation Association for the QWEL program. The original program was developed in the Sonoma-Marin area and is now offered in seven Western states and British Columbia, Canada. Since 2007 over 6,000 people have completed the program, with over 2,500 professionals currently in good standing and over 600 professionals listed for hire.

“The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change within our industry,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE. “Their commitment to engaging landscape professionals through the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper program has had a lasting impact not only in their local community but across the broader Western United States and beyond. The Irrigation Association is proud to recognize their leadership and innovation in promoting sustainable water management, and we look forward to seeing continued success as we work together to promote efficient irrigation practices.”

To learn more about the WaterSense Awards: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/watersense-awards

To learn more about the Irrigation Association: https://www.irrigation.org/SWAT