MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has partnered with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program to help consumers conserve water for
future generations while reducing their water bills. This program is intended to decrease indoor and
outdoor water use by promoting water-saving products and efficient lawn watering practices.
“Communities across Wisconsin rely on our supply of water for their economic and recreational
livelihood,” said Chairperson Dan Ebert. “It is time for agencies such as the EPA, PSC and water
utilities, as well as businesses and citizens throughout the state, to work together on efforts to promote
water conservation so that Wisconsin continues to have a supply of water that supports economic and
recreational growth. This partnership is a big step in protecting our water supply.”
“The goal of EPA’s WaterSense program is to help Americans save water and money by offering
simple ways to reduce water use though water-efficient product choices,” says Sheila Frace, Director
of EPA’s Municipal Support Division. “Using water more efficiently can help delay the need to create
more supplies, saving communities money and resources, as well as ensuring that water will be
available for future generations.”
For example, older toilets can use between 3.5 and 7 gallons of water per flush. However, new highefficiency
toilets require 75 to 80 percent less water. According to EPA, adopting water-efficient
products and practices can save the average household up to 30,000 gallons of water per year.
WaterSense products, which include high-efficiency toilets, meet EPA’s criteria for efficiency and
performance. Certified products may bear the WaterSense label, which makes it easy for consumers to
identify and select a variety of quality, high-efficiency products and services for their homes and
lawns.
“The PSC is proud to be a WaterSense partner,” said Jeff Ripp, the PSC’s Water Conservation
Coordinator. “We look forward to working with Wisconsin’s water utilities to promote water-saving
products and practices in and around the home that will reduce demands on water systems and protect
valuable water resources.”
EPA announced WaterSense in June 2006, at the American Water Works Association Conference and
Exposition in San Antonio, Texas. For more information on WaterSense, and for a full list of labeled
water-efficient products and irrigation certification programs, please visit www.epa.gov/watersense.
For more information about water conservation and for tips to saving water, please visit the PSC’s
website at: http://psc.wi.gov/consumerinfo/conservation/waterConservation.htm.
