Danze South
The U.s. Environmental Protection Agency’s Watersense Program Attracts Plumbing Retailers Who Want to Make a Difference in the Environment
The WaterSense partnership program makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment by helping consumers identify water-efficient, high-performing plumbing products they can buy for their homes. The exciting water-efficiency program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is partnering with manufacturers, retailers and distributors, utilities, state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, trade associations, irrigation professionals, and professional certifying organizations to bring water-efficient products to market and spread the word about the need for smart water use.
DesignerPlumbingOutlet.com, a virtual store for kitchen and bathroom fixtures, fittings and accessories is one of nearly 70 retailers who have become a partner with WaterSense. As a partner of the WaterSense program, DPO displays the WaterSense label on quality, water-efficient products certified to meet EPA criteria that are found on the site. Most of these items are bathroom sink faucets and high-efficiency toilets that are designed to save water.
“We feel it’s our duty to offer our customers a distinct “greener” choice when purchasing faucets and toilets from DPO,” said Founder and CEO Eric Strand. “By joining WaterSense and enabling the “eco friendly” search option on our site, we are giving customers the tools and knowledge to purchase the most water-efficient products available in this marketplace.”
The WaterSense label indicates that these products have been independently tested by third-party laboratories to meet EPA’s water-efficiency and performance criteria. In addition, customers can be confident that the products will all perform well and may help them save money in the long run. Designer Plumbing Outlet carries many plumbing manufacturers who are WaterSense partners: American Standard, Delta, Grohe, Hansgrohe, Danze, Moen, and Price Pfister.
The WaterSense partnership is one of two steps DPO has taken to become eco friendly and help customers choose water-efficient products. In addition to joining the WaterSense program, DPO has enabled an “eco friendly” search option on the website so customers can sort the wide variety of faucets, toilets and showerheads found on DPO, that are not WaterSense labeled, but are deemed “green” by their manufacturers, through an “eco friendly” search option.
According to WaterSense, the average American household uses about 100,000 gallons of water in a year, and 11,000 gallons of that are unnecessarily wasted each year due to inefficient toilets and faucets. If every inefficient toilet in the United States was replaced by a WaterSense labeled model, it would save 640 billion gallons of water.
WaterSense partner Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) demonstrates that it can be done. Through aggressive water conservation programs, SPU decreased water consumption in and around Seattle, Washington, by 24 percent since 1990, while in the same period the region’s population grew by 11 percent.
To achieve these savings, SPU targeted its efficiency measures on residential indoor fixtures, residential landscapes, commercial processes, and commercial landscapes. In particular, the program offered rebates or free toilets to upgrade older, inefficient toilets, as well as rebates for water-using appliances, urinals, pre-rinse spray heads, and other equipment. More recently, the region launched a pilot program for water-efficient showerheads. These incentives combined with non-incentive efforts—such as mass media messaging, direct mailings, new outreach materials, and Web sites—helped make the 1% Water Conservation Program a success.
SPU understands that water efficiency plays a key role in any strong municipal water conservation program, so joining WaterSense was an obvious choice. SPU Water Conservation Program Leader Al Dietemann explains, “WaterSense adds consistency with products, messaging, and marketing, and provides utilities with identical criteria to ensure a clear and concise message is conveyed to customers.”
In fall 2007, SPU launched a campaign featuring a TV ad encouraging consumers to purchase WaterSense labeled or FlushStar toilets. SPU also included an article in the utility’s newsletter that reaches up to 300,000 customers and shared point-of-purchase materials with retailers.
Further south in Cobb County, Georgia, government leaders launched a toilet rebate program in October 2007, coinciding with the day its water district declared Drought Level 4, the most severe classification. Since that time, Cobb County has issued 1,128 rebates for WaterSense labeled toilets and 2,048 rebates for 1.6-gallon-per-flush (gpf) toilets, saving the county an estimated 31.4 million gallons of water per year and easing the strain on municipal water supplies.
Cobb County’s rebate program soon achieved even greater influence when the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District adopted the program for the entire district, which includes Atlanta, 16 counties, and more than 60 water utilities. As a result, the program now targets more than 2 million customers.
Customers stand to benefit, too. Rebate participants are saving approximately $70.50 per year by reducing 10,000 gallons of water per household per year. The tiered rebate program credits customers’ water bills directly: $50 for 1.6-gpf toilets and $100 for WaterSense labeled toilets (less than 1.3 gpf). Cobb County Water System initially included 1.6-gpf toilets until WaterSense labeled models became more readily available. County officials hope to phase out rebates for 1.6-gpf toilets by the end of 2009.
Effective outreach has been crucial to Cobb County’s success in bringing WaterSense labeled toilets to the region. Early on, Cobb County contacted major retailers, including Home Depot and Lowe’s to encourage them to stock the toilets on its rebate list. To increase demand for WaterSense labeled toilets, the county educated consumers through its Web site and numerous public presentations. This allowed consumers one-on-one time to discuss the rebate program and WaterSense labeled toilets, which also built brand recognition. The media also drove home the water-efficiency message in print, radio, and television. By effectively building a market base and a steady supply of WaterSense labeled toilets in the area, Cobb County ensured its rebate program would have a significant impact and bring real change to the region.
Kathy Nguyen, water-efficiency program manager for Cobb County Water System, relates the success of the rebate program to the WaterSense label, saying, “WaterSense has made it easy for us by providing tools and resources to use for our rebate program. We’ve also found value in utilizing a national brand with consistent messaging, which makes it easier for our customers to identify products that are third-party certified for water efficiency and performance.”
About the Author
Michelle Luke
Designer Plumbing Outlet
michelle@designerplumbingoutlet.com
danze marxall @south to fame
|
|
Danze South Sea Single Handle Shower Trim Only with 6″ Shower Head D500545T $327.60 |
|
|
Danze D500045RBDT South Sea Single Handle Tub and Shower Faucet Trim Kit $1.04 |
|
|
DANZE SOUTH SEA MINI-WIDESPREAD LAVTRY NICKEL D303045BN $292.50 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Mini Widespread Bathroom Faucet Distressed Bronze D303045RBD $339.95 |
|
|
Danze D221145RBD South Sea Single-Handle Lavatory Fauce $119.95 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Single Handle Wessl $400.00 |
|
|
Danze D560845 South Sea Single Handle Shower Diverter $187.99 |
|
|
DANZE South Sea 1h Cntrset Distressed Brz D225545RBD $338.10 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Lav Faucet Distressed Brz D309245RBD $466.19 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Vessel Filler Bronze D209145BD $501.29 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Bathroom Faucet Brsd Nickel D309345BN $429.10 |
|
|
DANZE South Sea P/B Valve Trim BRSH NICKEL D510445BNT $111.90 |
|
|
Danze D225045RBD South Sea Vessel Filler Lav Faucet $463.45 |
|
|
Danze D221145BN South Sea Faucet Centerset Nickel $282.34 |
|
|
Danze D209145BN South Sea Faucet Post Mount Nickel $398.64 |
|
|
Danze D209145RBD South Sea Faucet Post Mount Bronze $464.52 |
|
|
Danze D221145RBD South Sea Faucet Centerset Bronze $317.97 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Two Handle Lavatory Faucet D309145RBD $249.95 |
|
|
Danze South Sea 1-Control Lavatory Faucet D221145RBD $189.95 |
|
|
DANZE South Sea Thermostat Vavle DIS BRONZE D560145RBDT $278.30 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Two Handle Lavatory Faucet D309345BN $189.95 |
|
|
DANZE South Sea Shower Trim BRUSHED NICKEL D500545BNT $344.60 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Roman Tub Faucet with Soft Touch Personal Shower Brushed Nickel $257.25 |
|
|
Danze Brushed Nickel 2 Handle Bath Lavatory Faucet South Sea Collection D309345 $359.00 |
|
|
Danze D309245BN South Sea Two Handle Bathroom Faucet Brushed Nickel $119.95 |
|
|
Danze D309145RBD South Sea 2-Handle Centerset Bathroom Faucet Distressed Bronze $149.95 |
|
|
DANZE NEW BRUSHED NICKEL LAVAORY FAUCET SOUTH SEA # D303045 $175.00 |
|
|
Danze D309145BN South Sea Two Handle Centerset Bathroom Faucet Brushed Nickel $119.95 |
|
|
Danze South Sea 0.75″ Thermostatic Shower Valve -Trim Only D562045BNT $203.45 |
|
|
Danze South Sea 0.75″ Volume Control Valve -Trim Only D560945BNT $89.70 |
|
|
Danze D225045BN Brushed Nickel Single Handle Vessel Filler from the South Sea $403.00 |
|
|
Danze D225045RBD Distressed Bronze Single Handle Vessel Filler from the South $484.25 |
|
|
Danze D225045RBD South Sea Single Handle Vessel Filler Distressed Bronze – NEW! $400.00 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Double Handle Widespread Vessel Sink Faucet with Pop-Up Drain $339.95 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Double Handle Widespread Vessel Sink Faucet with Pop-Up Drain $339.95 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Tank Lever Handle Brushed Nickel D492045BN $31.85 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Tank Lever Handle Brushed Nickel D492045BN $39.65 |
|
|
Danze South Sea Body Spray Distressed Bronze D460245RBD $65.00 |
|
|
South Beach Double Handle Widespread Vessel Bathroom Faucet with Pop-Up Drain $270.40 |
|
|
South Beach Double Handle Widespread Vessel Bathroom Faucet with Pop-Up Drain $270.40 |
|
|
Danze D225545BN South Sea 1 Handle Lav Faucet $267.65 |
|
|
Danze D225545RBD South Sea 1 Handle Lav Faucet $328.09 |
|
|
Danze D304045BN South Sea 2 Handle Lav Faucet $318.63 |
|
|
Danze D304045RBD South Sea 2 Handle Lav Faucet $350.98 |
|
|
Danze D303045BN South Sea 2 Handle Mini Wide Lav Faucet $280.31 |
|
|
Danze D303045RBD South Sea 2 Hndl Mini Wide Lav Faucet $285.51 |
|
|
Danze D225045BN South Sea 1 Handle Vessel Lav Faucet $416.02 |
|
|
Danze D225045RBD South Sea 1 Handle Vessel Lav Faucet $497.69 |
|
|
Danze South Sea B. Nickel One Handle Trim D500445BNT $69.95 |
|
|
Danze South Sea B. Nickel Shower Trim Kit D500545BNT $249.95 |
|
|
Danze Planet Non Stop Hits 2 $0.99 … |
|
|
Koon Kroo Krub (Danze Planet 3) $0.99 … |
|
|
Fusion by Danze SBH-MSL-PLC South Beach Two Handle Lavatory Faucet, Polished Chrome $125.00 Finish:Polished Chrome Form follows function with the clean lines and efficient design of South Beach. Matched with Brushed Nickel or highly Polished Chrome, the range is at home in most any contemporary design scheme. Mono-block Lavatory Faucet Ceramic disc valve Single Hole Mount All brass pop up drain assembly Flow Rate: 2.2 GPM @ 60 PSI 1/2′ – 14 NPSM-2A Connection… |
|
|
Danze D446426BN South Sea Toilet Paper Holder, Brushed Nickel $55.90 Finish:Brushed Nickel Solid brass construction Easy to install Mounting hardware included… |
|
|
Danze D446427BN South Sea Towel Ring, Brushed Nickel $29.98 Finish:Brushed Nickel Solid brass construction Easy to install Mounting hardware included… |
|
|
South Sea 0.75 Volume Control Valve – Trim Only Finish: Brushed Nickel $89.70 D560945BNT Finish: Brushed Nickel Shown in brushed nickel Features: -Volume control valve trim only.-Trim only; required rough-in valve D135300BT not included.-Available in brushed nickel or distressed bronze.-Wall mount.-Lever handle.-High flow 0.75” ceramic disc volume control.-0.75” FIP inlets and outlets.-ADA compliant. Includes: -Includes matching collection trim. Dimensions: -Overall dimen… |
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 8:48 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.