With more than 1 trillion gallons of water leaking from U.S. homes each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dubbed last week “Fix a Leak Week” to inspire Americans to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks. As property owners turn on their irrigation systems to check for leaky equipment, they can turn to WaterSense Irrigation Partners to fix their irrigation system’s water-wasting inefficiencies.
A partnership program sponsored by the EPA, WaterSense was created in 2006 to make it easier for Americans to save water and protect the environment. To help ease the demand of residential and commercial irrigation systems on local water supplies, WaterSense allows certified irrigation professionals to become WaterSense Irrigation Partners.
To become a WaterSense Irrigation Partner, you must obtain one of the following Irrigation Association certifications: Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA), Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA) Irrigation Designer (CID) or Irrigation Contractor (CIC). Once you’ve completed your certification requirements, you may submit a partnership agreement to the EPA.
“Landscape irrigation auditing has increased in demand due to severe drought conditions across the country, as well as the boost in water conservation awareness thanks to programs like WaterSense,” said Warren Gorowitz, vice president of sustainability and conservation for Ewing Irrigation Products. “Several cities have implemented ordinances requiring commercial and residential irrigation audits, giving WaterSense Irrigation Partners a new line of work.”
Becoming a WaterSense irrigation partner is a great business opportunity amid economic uncertainty. Once you’ve become a WaterSense Irrigation Partner, the EPA will include your name and contact information on their website to make it easy for consumers to find certified professionals in their area. You can also incorporate the WaterSense Partner logo into your personal branding pieces such as business cards to add credibility to your services.
To learn more about becoming a WaterSense Irrigation Partner, visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/cert_programs.htm.