WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition to Be World's Largest Focusing on Water-Efficiency Practices, Programs and Policies

WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition to Be World's Largest Focusing on Water-Efficiency Practices, Programs and Policies

October 09, 2007

International conference and expo slated for Oct. 8-10,
2008, in Las Vegas

    LAS VEGAS, Oct. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- 

    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.
             [phone]