PRESS RELEASE
City of Aspen Water Department Recognized with EPA Award
Contact: Rob Gregor, Utilities Management Analyst, Robert.gregor@cityofaspen.com or 970-429-1993.
Aspen, Colorado – October 7, 2021 - The City of Aspen is proud to announce it was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2021 WaterSense Partner of the Year award
The City of Aspen Water Department was honored due to its dedication to helping consumers and businesses save water and learn water efficiency techniques, even with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
WaterSense is an EPA voluntary partnership program that promotes water-efficient products, practices, and homes.
“A primary reason the Water Department won the award was for all our work with training landscapers to use water more efficiently,” said Rob Gregor, Utilities Management Analyst.
Through a program called Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL), the City trains and gives tests to qualify landscape professionals in water efficiency methods.
“The City of Aspen Water Department was able to pivot quickly when COVID-19 prevented in-person trainings. We offered classes and tests online. We also offered a customized Spanish version of the class and trained previous graduates to train their colleagues as well and offered training to other Colorado water utilities,” he added.
The QWEL trainings are integral for implementing the City’s Water Efficient Landscaping Standards.
“We are proud of our department and recognize that the entire community benefits from water conservation efforts made anywhere within Aspen,” said Tyler Christoff, Director of Utilities. “Outdoor use is consistently where most of our potable water is used so we are pleased that our efforts have made a difference locally and have been recognized nationally.”
WaterSense developed the Partner of the Year Awards program to recognize partners that help advance the overall mission of WaterSense, increase awareness of the WaterSense brand in a measurable way, and demonstrate overall excellence in the water efficiency arena.
The City of Aspen was recognized today during the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, along with 33 other utilities, manufacturers, builders, retailers, and other organizations that partner with WaterSense to promote water-efficient products, homes, and programs.
“In 2020, our WaterSense partners continued to make saving water possible by educating consumers and businesses about WaterSense and water-efficient behaviors,” said Veronica Blette, the WaterSense program manager. “Our award winners’ creative and committed approaches to water conservation helped consumers save water, energy, and money on their utility bills at a time when they needed it most.”
For more information about WaterSense, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.
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