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Pinellas County Utilities in Florida and Atlanta Commissioner Named Water Efficiency Leaders

Release Date: 12/16/2008
Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov

(ATLANTA – December 16, 2008) Water efficiency is critical to the growing U.S. economy and quality of life. Water Efficiency Leaders are being recognized for their contributions in reducing, reusing and recycling water through leadership, innovation and water saved. The Pinellas County Utilities in Clearwater, Fla., and Commissioner Robert J. Hunter of Atlanta, Ga., are among the leaders announced today.

"Water is America's greatest liquid asset,” said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA’s assistant administrator for water. “EPA commends these water champions for saving water and energy, and increasing the health and wealth of communities and ecosystems."

The leaders are made up of utilities, individuals, corporations, non-governmental organizations and government agencies across the country. In Florida, Pinellas County Utilities provides water, wastewater, and solid waste services for the most densely populated county in the state. Pinellas County is one of the most water-efficient utilities per capita at 89 gallons per person per day (gpd), versus the national average of 100 gpd. Since 1991, per capita efficiency has improved more than 40 percent.

In Atlanta, under Commissioner Hunter’s leadership during recent droughts, the city’s 50 largest water customers cut their water consumption by 45 percent. Hunter also promoted water saving options to users and plumbers, and high efficiency toilet rebate programs.

Other winners outside the Southeast include:

PepsiCo (Purchase, N.Y.) - Corporate/Industry

Acequia (Austin, Texas) - Corporate/Industry

Homewise, Inc. (Santa Fe, N.M.) - Nongovernmental Organization

Orange County Water District (Orange County, Calif.) - Government

More about the Water Efficiency Leaders: https://www.epa.gov/water/wel/