2012 United States Water Prize Winners

The Clean Water America Alliance recently announced winners of the 2012 US Water Prize, which honors watershed-based approaches toward water sustainability. This year's winners are:

• Frito-Lay, for corporatewide water and energy conservation  stewardship
• The Milwauke Metropolitan Sewerage District, for extending programs to the natural boundaries of the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic's river watersheds
• The Philadelphia Water Department for their Green City, Clean Waters program
• The Project WET foundation for its focus on education
• The Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative for forming collaborative partnerships
• The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for a holistic approach to conservation and watershed management

For details about the US Water Prize and individual projects, visit the Clean Water America website.

Religion, Culture, and Water

The most recent issue of Water Resources Impact focused on "Religion, Culture, and Water," with a series of essays and articles about how different cultures approach and view water. The issue questions "How can an understanding of a people's faith help better understand their world view and water's place in that world view? Can cultures lead people to regard water with respect and care, or can they cause people to dismiss it and waste it?"

Stop by the Water Library or contact us if you'd like to access these articles from Water Resources Impact:

• "Irrigating the Mind-Stream: Buddhism and Water" by Michelle J. Sorenson
• "From Holy Water to Holy Waters" by Gary Chamberlain
• "No One Eats the Fish Anymore: Tribal Reclamation of the Silvery Valley, Idaho" by Theodore N. Fortier
• "Foundations of Hawaiian Culture and the Importance of Water" by Eric J. Fitch

Looking for further research about culture, religion, and water use? Check out our recommended reading list about Native Americans and the Environment, or contact us with other questions.

Fix a Leak Week!

Did you know that March 12-18 is Fix A Leak Week? There's still a few days left! According to the EPA, the average home in the United States can waste 10,000 gallons of water a year- just due to household leaks like drippy faucets or running toilets. Fixing those leaks doesn't just save water, it saves money, too. Many households could save over 10% on water bills!

 
For more information about Fix A Leak Week, including facts about household leaks and tips for fixing them yourself, visit the US EPA's website.