The Trump Administration is proposing to weaken or eliminate long-standing federal standards for water- and energy-efficient products, such as toilets, faucets, dishwashers, and clothes washers. These rollbacks could cost Americans $43 billion over 30 years, harm local water supplies, and strip states of their authority to protect resources.  There have been recent media reports of plans to eliminate the ENERGY STAR program, which saves water with products like dish and clothes washers. Learn more from a previous blog post of ours here. 

HOW TO HELP

Contact your members of Congress and let them know your organization:

1. Supports the ENERGY STAR program.
2. Opposes proposals that would weaken or eliminate federal efficiency standards.

Find your representatives: congress.gov/members/find-your-member. Or call the Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121. Be sure to coordinate with your organization’s government relations staff, where applicable.

TALKING POINTS

Feel free to modify and localize these sample talking points to share how these proposals are a threat to your community, company, or organization.

Weakening or Eliminating Standards

• Water efficiency standards have saved water for over 30 years, helping communities grow without increasing water usage, reducing infrastructure costs, bills, and drought risk.
• Blocking states from setting standards would undermine local, tailored solutions to water challenges.
• Water-efficient products are widely available, perform well, and cost about the same as inefficient alternatives.
• Allowing inefficient fixtures to flood the market would raise water and energy costs at a time when the average costs for water are already outpacing inflation.
• These proposals would worsen drought conditions by increasing water use during a time of historic, widespread droughts across the United States.
• Less efficient products could overwhelm water supplies—especially in fast-growing, water-scarce states like Texas, Florida, and Arizona.
• In rural areas, increased water use increases the risk of septic system failure, a common and costly issue.

ENERGY STAR

• ENERGY STAR is a voluntary, market-based, bipartisan programs that support both industry and environmental goals.
• More than 1,100 companies and organizations, including appliance and plumbing manufacturers, signed this letter of support in defense of ENERGY STAR.

AWE is mobilizing alongside other industry associations, manufacturers, utilities, and environmental groups to fight these proposals. Together, we can ensure a unified national voice defending and promoting a sustainable water future. If you’d like to get further connected with our advocacy work, please email us.

After proposing changes in April to weaken federal showerhead efficiency standards, the Trump Administration is now pursuing even broader rollbacks. Media reports indicate that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering eliminating the successful, voluntary ENERGY STAR® program, which identifies appliances and products with superior water and energy efficiency.

On May 9, President Trump issued a directive that would be even more extreme, calling for the weakening or elimination of federal efficiency standards for toilets, urinals, faucets, clothes washers, dishwashers, and pre-rinse spray valves. The directive also raises concerns about preempting state authority to set stronger standards, which 17 states and the District of Columbia currently exercise.

What's At Stake
If these directives move forward and the marketplace follows, households and businesses could face higher water and energy bills. This is especially concerning as the costs of water have already outpaced inflation over the past decade. Many communities may struggle to meet water demand, achieve conservation goals, or secure alternative supplies. Wastewater treatment systems could also face added strain, requiring more capacity and resources.

Our Response
Since the start of the new administration, Alliance for Water Efficiency has been actively responding as part of a national coalition working to defend ENERGY STAR and federal efficiency standards. Together, the coalition organized a powerful letter of support for ENERGY STAR, signed by more than 1,100 companies and organizations, including appliance and plumbing manufacturers. We are engaging directly with Congress, which has the power to preserve the program through continued funding, as it did in 2018 when a similar attempt to eliminate ENERGY STAR was made.

AWE believes that revoking or weakening these federal standards is unlawful, and we are exploring legal options to block these proposed changes. We will continue to keep our members updated as this situation evolves. Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting critical, cost-saving water and energy efficiency programs.

Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) seeks a detail-oriented, highly organized Member Relations and Events Manager to grow its diverse membership base and program. Reporting to the Director of Communications and Membership, this role focuses on supporting AWE’s operations through efficient systems, precise data management, and exceptional relationship stewardship.

The Member Relations and Events Manager is a critical contributor to AWE’s mission, combining administrative expertise with natural relationship-building skills. This position is perfect for someone who thrives on organization, enjoys managing processes, and is excited to be a part of leading AWE’s membership growth through strategic planning and execution.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to attract, retain, and engage a diverse membership base of water suppliers, universities, professional associations, nonprofits, product manufacturers, consultants, and government agencies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for members, providing exceptional service and support.
• Refine and implement onboarding processes to ensure new members feel welcomed and connected to AWE’s offerings.
• Maintain and optimize membership data in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, ActiveCampaign, WordPress), ensuring accurate entry and analysis to inform membership strategies.
• Analyze membership trends and generate monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to guide recruitment, retention, and engagement efforts.
• Process annual membership dues, track payments, and collaborate with the Director of Operations on financial reconciliations.
• Coordinate and provide logistical support for virtual and in-person events, including webinars, roundtables, and AWE’s flagship annual event, the Water Efficiency & Conservation Symposium.
• Collaborate with staff to create and promote member-focused resources, such as newsletters, case studies, and success stories.
• Act as a liaison for assigned committees, supporting their work through effective coordination, planning, and communication.
• Other duties as assigned to support the thriving of the organization.

This position requires balancing day-to-day administrative responsibilities with long-term strategic initiatives and working collaboratively with team members across the organization.

Desired Experiences, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience with a nonprofit, professional association, or similar field.
• 3+ years of experience in membership management, client relations, or nonprofit development.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, ActiveCampaign). The ability to accurately enter and analyze data from these systems is critical to informing our retention and prospecting strategies.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Passion for water efficiency, environmental sustainability, and climate justice is highly desired.

Salary & Benefits

This is an exempt, salaried position with a competitive salary plus a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Employer-subsidized medical and dental insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company base contribution and match.
• Vacation, sick leave, and 14 paid holidays.

Location

Remote; Chicago IL preferred

The successful candidate will have the option of working a hybrid schedule at AWE’s headquarters in Chicago, IL, or working fully remote from another US-based location. To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require, now or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status.

How to Apply

Recruitment is closed.

A note to recruitment agencies - We do not accept unsolicited agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

About Alliance for Water Efficiency

Alliance for Water Efficiency is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the efficient and sustainable use of water across North America. Headquartered in Chicago, AWE serves as a North American advocate for water-efficient products and programs and provides information and assistance on water conservation efforts. Learn more about our mission.

AWE is proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. AWE is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. If you have 75% or more of the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply. AWE is especially excited about increasing applications from people committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, including people with disabilities, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ persons.

AWE and our partner organizations are preparing for the possibility, if not the likelihood, that the incoming Trump administration will attempt to weaken federal water efficiency initiatives. It is too early to know with certainty, but federal water and energy efficiency standards are likely to be in the crosshairs.   

During his first term, President Trump’s Department of Energy adopted weakened standards for shower heads and appliances like dishwashers and clothes washers. President Biden reversed direction and took steps to improve efficiency standards further, but the standards continue to work through the rulemaking process and be litigated in the courts. On the campaign trail, President-elect Trump frequently made unsubstantiated claims about water-efficient fixtures performing poorly, and those claims have gotten traction, with the U.S. House of Representatives passing legislation earlier this year that would block or weaken federal water and energy efficiency product standards. 

These actions are inconsistent with more than 35 years of Congressional support for laws that help lower utility bills for families by ensuring that appliances, plumbing fixtures, and other products are water and energy efficient. Moreover, with improved efficiency, utilities can avoid capital and operating expenditures because they have less water and wastewater to manage. Similarly, private wells and septic systems can be smaller and less expensive because of these efficiency standards.  

As efficiency standards have been gradually strengthened, manufacturers have implemented innovations that enable products to not only meet efficiency standards but also perform at a high level. Critics cite anecdotal reports as evidence that efficiency measures undermine product performance. However, comprehensive product testing by independent laboratories and organizations demonstrates that efficient products generally perform better than older, less efficient models.   

For example, in a February 2024 press release, Consumer Reports referred to new clothes washer and dryer standards as a “win-win for consumers,” noting that “[t]here are washers and dryers available today that already meet these new standards, and they are highly rated for their cleaning and drying performance in our recent testing.”  

Today, families save money, water supplies go further, and the air is cleaner thanks to federal efficiency standards that have resulted in cost-effective product improvements. Given the track record of success, it’s not surprising that the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers supports federal efficiency standards adopted earlier this year and opposed the Trump Administration’s efforts to weaken standards in his first term.  

AWE will also continue to advocate for WaterSense funding. This vital, voluntary program has helped transform the marketplace to include thousands of plumbing and irrigation products that are especially water efficient. We will also support the preservation of funding for Water Smart Grants and water infrastructure included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act.  

Beyond playing defense, AWE will continue our proactive work in DC to pass legislation to eliminate taxation of conservation rebates, create a Plumbing Repair and Efficiency Assistance Program for low-income households, and create a tax credit for WaterSense-labeled homes. Our complete list of policy priorities for the 2025 calendar year is available here.   

With a new presidential administration and Congress taking office in January, AWE remains committed to supporting our members and our mission. Stay updated on AWE's policy activities by visiting the policy page on our website. For questions or comments, please contact our team.

- Ron Burke, CEO, Alliance for Water Efficiency

Submitted by Ron Burke, President and CEO

Much of North America and the world are grappling with a warmer, drier climate that results in less water being available to meet basic human needs, support businesses, sustain ecosystems, and grow food. The Colorado River Basin, with Lake Mead approaching “dead pool” status, is a conspicuous example of how dramatically the water supply math is changing because of climate change and population growth. But water scarcity is not limited to the southwestern U.S. Scientists warn that much of North America is on pace to experience water shortages if we don’t manage water better.

The situation is daunting, but it could be much worse if not for the forward-thinking and dedication of policymakers and the community of water efficiency and conservation professionals. They have championed strategies like plumbing efficiency standards, water conservation programs, and improved agriculture efficiency methods that have gradually decreased water use even as the population grew significantly. (See Figure 1 below.)

As the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) celebrates its 15th anniversary, I am proud to be AWE’s CEO and to recognize these unsung heroes who work for water utilities, plumbing manufacturers and trades, government agencies, and a variety of businesses. They all come together and collaborate across the AWE network to help communities be resilient with more affordable, sustainable water service that also supports ecosystems and minimizes energy use and carbon emissions from pumping, heating, and treating water.

Figure1:

About Figure 1

The graph above shows that public water supply withdrawals peaked around 2005 and declined roughly 11 percent by 2015, even though the population grew 42 percent. Many cities did even better, with reductions between 25 and 48 percent in the same time frame. This was possible because water use per person declined about 24 percent nationally between 1990 and 2015. The downward trend accelerated after 2005 as federal plumbing efficiency standards, local water conservation programs, the WaterSense and EnergyStar programs, and other measures took root. A similar downward trend was seen in total U.S. water use, accounting for agriculture, thermoelectric generation, industry, and other sources. See Figure 2 below. Note: USGS’ 2020 water use report had not been released when this blog was posted. 

Figure 2:
Source: USGS

Because water was “cheap” and seemingly limitless decades ago, there was often little support for water efficiency and conservation. Even today, water efficiency professionals often swim upstream. Federal funding is prioritized for more expensive supply-side strategies over water efficiency. Moreover, state and local policies can discourage, rather than encourage, water utilities from using less water by restricting how they adjust to lower water sales. Despite these obstacles, water efficiency professionals persevere in the midst of a historically prolonged drought in the western U.S. and seasonal droughts throughout North America, not to mention the important year-round work they do that is unrelated to drought response.

In order to ensure sustainable, affordable water, North America will continue to lean heavily on water efficiency professionals to maintain the trend towards declining per person water use. Policy change and funding is needed to support their efforts, and Congress can help by passing the Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2022. Learn more and encourage your elected leaders to co-sponsor the bill.

States play an important role as well, and AWE will release an updated State Water Efficiency and Sustainability Scorecard later this year with grades and recommendations for each state. We’ll have more to say about state policy then, but in the meantime, encourage your governors to fund water efficiency and conservation programs.

The work of water efficiency professionals has never been more challenging or important, but I have “no drought” that we can do this! Share your gratitude on Twitter and use hashtag #WaterEfficiency to recognize innovative water professionals!

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