Entries open for 2012 savewater! awards and Prime Minister’s Water Wise Award

The 2012 savewater! awards are calling to action all exceptional water savers from Australia and around the world to be recognised on efficient water use in the face of changing climate patterns and population growth.

Now in its 10th year, the event has emerged as Australia’s leading awards for sustainable living and water efficiency. The awards recognise and reward excellence in water efficiency by business, government, schools, local communities and individuals.

“It is important that we maintain our efficient water use habits to ensure water is available in the future. The savewater! awards are a wonderful forum that not only recognises achievements in water conservation and efficiency, but helps communities by sharing their knowledge and experience,” said Nigel Finney, CEO of the savewater! Alliance.

Savewater! will also be hosting the Prime Minister’s Water Wise Award in 2012 on behalf of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The award is open to registered Australian businesses that have achieved water savings in Australia, taking into account factors including innovation, excellence in project delivery and the ability for approaches to be replicated at other facilities.

Announcing the opening of nominations for the Prime Minister’s Water Wise Award, Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, said the award was a great way to celebrate companies that make outstanding efforts to conserve water.

“This is Australia’s premier award recognising water-efficiency excellence in the commercial and industrial sectors, which typically account for between 15 and 20% of all water used in Australia,” Senator Farrell said.

“I encourage any companies that can demonstrate notable reductions of water use, in comparison to similar facilities, to nominate for the award.”

The savewater! awards will be presented in eight national categories in addition to the Prime Minister’s Water Wise Award; three of these categories are also open to international entrants:

• Australian Achiever
• Business
• Community Groups
• Educational Institutions
• Government
• Photographic Award (open internationally)
• Product Innovations (open internationally)
• Water Utilities (open internationally)

Finney encouraged entry into the awards “no matter how big or small your project”. He noted that finalists have their water-efficiency efforts publicly recognised and rewarded, are able to network with like-minded finalists and can help to spread the message to inspire others.

Entries for both awards will close on Friday 20 July 2012. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony to be held in Melbourne in October.