Fairfax, Virginia — The Irrigation Association has named the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership in California as the Smart Water Application Technologies 2024 Outstanding Industry Partnership Award recipient.
This award recognizes a water provider that has successfully implemented a program focused on partnership building with landscape and irrigation professionals to promote outdoor water conservation. By spotlighting outstanding water providers and their innovative projects, the Irrigation Association works to raise awareness of the value of irrigation within the green industry and the positive impact these types of partnerships can have on our communities.
The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership is honored with this award for its locally focused work to engage the irrigation industry through its Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Program. The QWEL program is an EPA WaterSense-labeled program focused on irrigation system audits. The program is tailored to the specific region where it is offered and educates landscape professionals on making wise landscape choices from the start, preventing the creation of water-thirsty landscapes and demonstrating sustainable alternatives.
“The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change within our industry,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE. “Their commitment to engaging landscape professionals through the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper program has had a lasting impact not only in their local community but across the broader western United States and beyond. The Irrigation Association is proud to recognize their leadership and innovation in promoting sustainable water management, and we look forward to seeing continued success as we work together to promote efficient irrigation practices.”
The original program was developed in the Sonoma-Marin area and is now offered in seven Western states and British Columbia, Canada. Since 2007 over 6,000 people have completed the program, with over 2,500 professionals currently in good standing and over 600 professionals listed for hire.
The Irrigation Association is committed to partnering with water providers to promote sustainable practices and leverage smart irrigation technologies to positively impact our communities. We are honored to feature these outstanding projects and look forward to continuing our collaboration as we work together to promote efficient outdoor water use.
The 2024 SWAT Outstanding Industry Partnership Award was announced on Sept. 26 during the WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition. Applications for the 2025 IA SWAT awards will open in early 2025.
For more information, visit irrigation.org. For more information about the Smart Water Application Technologies coalition and its award winners, go to swatirrigation.org.