December 14, 2007—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized six winners of the 2007 Water Efficiency Leader (WEL) awards for their efforts in reducing, reusing and recycling water. Winners were chosen by a panel of national water experts and based on three criteria: leadership, innovation, and water saved.
Winners of the 2007 WEL Awards are:
- Corporate: Intel Corporation, Ocotillo Campus (Chandler, AZ)
- Government: Santa Clara Valley Water District (San Jose, CA)
- Industry: Frito-Lay (Plano, TX)
- Military: Lackland Air Force Base (Lackland, TX)
- Nongovernmental Organization: The Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center (KPPC), at the University of Louisville (Louisville, KY)
- Individual: Allan Dietemann, Seattle Public Utilities (Seattle, WA)
EPA says the WEL Awards help foster a nationwide ethic of water efficiency that is critical to the growing US economy and quality of life due to demographic shifts, increased demand, and aging water infrastructure. In response to this need, EPA developed the WEL Awards and other initiatives such as a product labeling under the WaterSense program and a national organization to foster water efficiency.
