WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition to Be World's Largest Focusing on Water-Efficiency Practices, Programs and Policies
08/10/2007 22:57
PR Newswire
LAS VEGAS, October 8 /PRNewswire/ --
- International conference and expo slated for Oct. 8-10, 2008, in
Las Vegas
In what is expected to be the largest urban water-efficiency and
conservation conference of its kind in the world, the inaugural WaterSmart
Innovations Conference and Exposition, hosted by the Southern Nevada Water
Authority (SNWA), is slated for Oct. 8-10, 2008, in Las Vegas.
The SNWA is hosting WaterSmart Innovations in partnership with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense program and other leading
national and international organizations. More information about the
conference is available at http://www.WaterSmartInnovations.com.
At WaterSmart Innovations, a wide range of professional sessions,
workshops and technical tours -- along with an extensive exhibition featuring
water-saving technologies and programs from around the world -- will connect
attendees with the resources they need in an atmosphere of networking,
collaboration and learning, said SNWA General Manager Pat Mulroy.
"Water agencies alone cannot address all of today's water challenges,"
Mulroy said. "In reality, water efficiency decisions permeate dozens of
professions. This will be the premier conference for diverse disciplines to
come together to enhance understanding of water efficiency policies, programs
and products."
With the growing momentum of green building and the international focus
on water issues, WaterSmart Innovations meets the emerging need for a
comprehensive water efficiency conference, said Benjamin H. Grumbles,
assistant administrator of the EPA's Office of Water.
At the same time, an acute need for increased water efficiency has
emerged in both arid and non-arid regions throughout the world.
"WaterSmart Innovations will foster dialog among water efficiency experts
and professionals from across the United States and around the world, in arid
and non-arid regions, to share ideas and take action," Grumbles said. "As
green building and water efficiency gain ground, we see Water Smart
Innovations as a watershed event for timely and comprehensive information on
how to save water, energy and money through programs such as WaterSense."
The SNWA is anticipating approximately 1,000 attendees and 125 exhibitors
for WaterSmart Innovations, to be held at the South Point Hotel & Casino. The
conference will include continuing education seminars, an exhibit hall and
technical tours of water recycling and treatment plants.
The SNWA in recent years has earned regional and international
recognition for its numerous programs geared toward water conservation and
efficient water use. These include incentive programs that encourage
residents to replace grass with water-efficient landscaping, rebates
applicable for the purpose of water-saving pool covers and water-saving
irrigation products, and programs geared specifically to help local
businesses save water.
Thanks also to community compliance with mandatory watering restrictions,
in concert with the various rebate programs, Southern Nevada is continuing a
trend of declining water use. The community's consumptive water use declined
about 18 billion gallons between 2002 and 2006, despite the fact that there
were more than 330,000 new residents and nearly 40 million annual visitors.
In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored the SNWA for
its innovative water conservation programs and commitment to comprehensive
regional water resource management with the first Water Efficiency Leader
(WEL) Award for the Utilities/Water Districts category.
The award recognized the SNWA's leadership and innovation in water
efficient products and practices. The EPA's WEL awards also help foster a
nationwide ethic of water efficiency, as well as to inspire, motivate and
recognize efforts to improve water efficiency.
Also partnering with the SNWA on WaterSmart Innovations are the Alliance
for Water Efficiency, Audubon International, Las Vegas Springs Preserve,
California Urban Water Conservation Council, Irrigation Association, the
California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association, American
Society of Irrigation Consultants, International Association of Plumbing and
Mechanical Officials and the Water Conservation Coalition.
Event sponsors to date include Caroma Industries Ltd., Rain Bird Corp.,
Ewing Irrigation, Black & Veatch Corp., Las Vegas Springs Preserve, AECOM and
TCB|AECOM.
The SNWA is a regional entity that manages water conservation, water
quality and water resource issues for Southern Nevada. Its members include:
the Big Bend Water District (Laughlin); the cities of Boulder City,
Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas; the Clark County Sanitation
District; and the Las Vegas Valley Water District. Visit http://www.snwa.com
for more information.
Contact: Tom Bradley Jr.
+1-702-822-8365
Web site: http://www.snwa.com
http://www.WaterSmartInnovations.com
Tom Bradley Jr. of Southern Nevada Water Authority, +1-702-822-8365