Water Efficiency Watch – December 2025
Published: December 15, 2025
In this issue...
- AWE Organizational Updates
- 2026 Symposium
- Program & Research Updates
- Policy Updates
- Member Spotlight
- News Briefs
AWE Organizational Updates
Welcome, Joan Hughes, AWE’s New Director of Programs & Research
We are thrilled to have Joan join AWE as Director of Programs & Research, bringing nearly 15 years of experience leading water and energy efficiency programs at NASA. Most recently, she served as the Agency Energy and Water Program Manager, where she advanced efficiency initiatives across NASA’s facilities nationwide. Joan is a Certified Energy Manager with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Mississippi State University and an M.A. in Anthropology & English from the University of West Florida. Joan’s expertise also includes federal energy and water policy, strategic planning and partnerships, organizational change, and contract and grant management. Joan and her family live in southwestern Colorado, where she enjoys the great outdoors in all seasons.
Parental Leave Update: Kelly Connolly Kern
Our Director of Public Affairs will be out on parental leave for the first several months of the new year! Kelly and her husband, Dalton, are expecting their first child in early January. Ron will lead all federal policy endeavors while she is out, while Sophie and Amanda cover Symposium leadership. If you have a question that you would typically run by Kelly, please reach out to our team via email at contact@a4we.org
2026 Membership Renewals Are on the Way
Keep an eye out: 2026 annual dues renewal invoices will be heading to your organization soon. As always, we will send them both to your organization’s designated Point of Contact by email and by snail mail. If your organization’s Point of Contact or mailing address has changed in the last year, please let us know at membership@a4we.org so we can ensure everything gets to the right place.
We hope you’ll renew and join us for another impactful year of advancing a sustainable water future!
2026 Water Efficiency & Conservation Symposium
2026 Symposium Planning is Underway
We have officially launched planning for the 2026 Water Efficiency and Conservation Symposium with support from our newly convened Program Advisory Committee (PAC). Over the past few months, PAC members have come together to identify key industry challenges, shape conference themes and priority topic areas, and explore fresh ideas for session formats and structures. Their insights will guide the upcoming abstract submission and selection process, helping ensure the 2026 Symposium reflects the needs and priorities of the water efficiency community. Keep an eye out: the call for abstracts will open in late January 2026!
2026 Symposium Sponsorship Packages Now Available
Want to make a big splash at our 4th annual Symposium? Join us as a sponsor! Sponsorship connects your organization with top leaders in water conservation while offering valuable marketing and visibility opportunities.
We offer a range of sponsorship options, including Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze packages, plus à la carte opportunities to fit your needs. Explore the sponsorship details here. Have questions or need help finding the right fit? Email us—we’d love to chat!
Program & Research Updates
Connecting with Members and Peers at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference
Our Program Team had a great week connecting in person with members, peers, and industry partners at AWWA’s 2025 WaterSmart Innovations Conference. We kicked things off by co-hosting our 3rd Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for Conservation Programs pre-conference workshop with Maddaus Water Management, where we covered AMI fundamentals, customer education and engagement strategies, approaches for targeting non-residential customers, water savings evaluation methods, and more. Throughout the week, we also shared updates on our ongoing large-scale landscapes research study, highlighted findings from our peak demands study, discussed the effectiveness of conservation-oriented rates, and provided an overview of our federal-level advocacy for water efficiency. A big thank you to the American Water Works Association for hosting us in Reno, facilitating another successful event, and inviting AWE to contribute to panels, workshops, and sessions.
New Publication: Peak Water Demand Trends and Management Strategies Across North America
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has published AWE’s work on project 5265, Evaluating Changes in Peak Water Demand and How That May Affect the Choice, Design, Management, and Evaluation of Demand Management Strategies. The report explores peak demands drivers and trends across four core case studies, identifies peak demand management strategies and considerations, and provides examples and guidance for how to adopt and advance strategies across a diverse range of geographical, organizational, and demographic constraints.
AWE would like to express gratitude to WRF for their funding and support, and to the project’s participants – Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, City of Westminster, California Water Service, New Jersey American Water, San Antonio Water System, North Texas Water Development Board, City of Bozeman, and Regional of Peel – for contributing their time, data, and expertise to this effort.
New Publication: Advancing Sustainability Through Household Consumer Products: Guidance & Insights for Estimating & Communicating Water Savings
AWE, in partnership with Bluerisk and supported by The Procter & Gamble Company through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, is excited to release our newest report: “Advancing Sustainability through Household Consumer Products: Guidance & Insights for Estimating and Communicating Water Savings” This groundbreaking resource provides a practical framework for companies, practitioners, and researchers to consistently estimate and communicate water savings from household consumer products and campaigns. Access and download the Guidance on AWE’s Resource Library here or watch the webinar recording here.
Participate in AWE’s Latest Research Initiative Focused on Integrating Water Reuse and Efficiency
We are partnering with WateReuse Association to identify examples & best practices for integrating water reuse systems and water use efficiency and conservation strategies. The project will develop guidance offering practical insights, planning approaches, technologies, and organizational practices, and will convene a peer network of water professionals working on reuse and conservation. We are looking for water utilities and agencies to participate in this research. Please reach out to Johanna@a4we.org to learn more and get involved.
To stay up to date with AWE’s research, check out the “Active Research” section on our webpage here.
Policy Updates
AWE Joins Effort to Support WaterSMART Funding
The National Audubon Society is coordinating a multi-sector letter urging the Department of the Interior to include strong, sustained funding for the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program as it prepares to create its Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. WaterSMART continues to deliver high-impact, cost-effective projects that strengthen drought resilience, modernize infrastructure, and improve water reliability for communities, agriculture, and industry across the West.
We encourage our members to join this effort. If your organization would like to sign on, please review the letter and submit your organizational signature using the form below. The sign-on deadline is January 15, 2026.
Read the letter | Add your organization’s signature
Longest U.S. Government Shutdown in History
Late 2025 was marked by the longest-recorded government shutdown in American history. Throughout the shutdown, AWE continued to meet with partners to move our policy priorities forward and stay connected to an ever-evolving landscape. Key legislative time was lost this fall due to the shutdown, and Congress has yet to fully fund the government for the 2026 Fiscal Year. Many key federal agencies and programs that our members rely on are currently only funded through the January 30th Continuing Resolution. As appropriation decisions are finalized, we will keep members updated on any changes.
Championing the Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act
Our team continues to advocate for passage of the Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act—bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would eliminate federal taxation of water efficiency rebates, a disincentive to participation, and an administrative burden for agencies that issue them. Throughout Q4, AWE met with members and their respective Congressional delegations—particularly across the Colorado River Basin—to build support and encourage additional cosponsors in both chambers. We remain optimistic about the growing momentum for this commonsense reform.
Organizations interested in getting involved are encouraged to reach out to Ron Burke.
AWE Defends Federal Efficiency Standards for Appliances and Plumbing Fixtures
Once the government reopened in mid-November, the House resumed hearings on a slate of water- and energy-efficiency-related bills. A key bill that we’ve been monitoring closely is H.R. 4626, “Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act,” which would bring about widespread reform to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA and would open the doors to the Department of Energy, eliminating or rolling back long-standing energy and efficiency standards for appliances and fixtures.
To stay up to date with AWE’s policy work, check out the Policy Priorities and Policy Activities sections of our website.
Recent Webinars
Evaluating Changes in Peak Demands Webinar
On December 9th, we joined the Water Research Foundation (WRF) to share about our most recently published research project, Evaluating Changes in Peak Water Demand and How That May Affect the Choice, Design, Management, and Evaluation of Demand Management Strategies.
The webinar featured insights on foundational and emerging peak-demand metrics, what drives peak demand, how trends vary regionally, and practical strategies utilities can use to manage peaks more effectively. Watch it here.
Advancing Sustainability Through Household Consumer Products Guidance Webinar
On October 21st, we hosted a webinar alongside partners from Bluerisk and Procter & Gamble for the release of our first-of-its-kind new report, Advancing Sustainability Through Household Consumer Products: Guidance & Insights for Estimating & Communicating Water Savings.
The Guidance provides a practical framework to help guide companies and researchers consistently estimate and communicate water savings from household consumer products and campaigns. The webinar featured experts sharing why household water use matters, showcasing pilot project results from the 50L Home Pilot, and walking through the report’s guidance. You’ll leave with actionable insights to improve the credibility and impact of water-saving products and programs. Watch it here.
AWE Member Spotlights
AWWA Released New G480-25 Standard
On the third day of Christmas, AWWA gave to me… a brand-new G480 Standard! The G480-25 Water Conservation and Efficiency Program Operation and Management is the latest update to the industry standard for building strong utility water conservation and efficiency programs. We are so proud of all the AWE members and staff who served on the committee that shaped this new edition.
In 2026, AWE will roll out a suite of resources to help members navigate the updated requirements and/or get verified for Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum recognition for the first time. Compliance verification is a free, member-only benefit available to all current members. Stay tuned next year for a webinar on the updates and a G480-25 Compliance Checklist to support utilities aiming to meet or exceed the new standard.
U.S. Water Alliance Releases New Value of Water Campaign Report
The Value of Water Campaign, in partnership with Stantec and One Water Econ, recently released Tapping Potential: The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure, a landmark analysis showing that while America needs to invest an additional $1.8 trillion water infrastructure funding by 2044, closing that gap could generate nearly $4.6 trillion in economic output, increase GDP by $1.5 trillion, and support over 950,000 jobs annually.
The report provides the most detailed picture to date of national and state-level funding needs for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. It also highlights the dire consequences of underinvestment, including risks to public health, economic competitiveness, and community resilience, alongside the extraordinary economic return of sustained investment.
Texas Members Help Secure Historic Investment in Water Infrastructure
Amidst a wave of election results last night, Texas voters made history by approving Proposition 4, authorizing a $20 billion investment in water infrastructure over the next 20 years. The Texas Tribune reports, “Texas is poised to make the largest investment in its water supply in the state’s 180-year history after voters on Tuesday approved Proposition 4, which authorizes $20 billion to be spent on water projects over the next two decades. The vote comes at a time when communities are scrambling to find new water supplies to meet the needs of their growing population, all the while deteriorating infrastructure, and a warming climate threatens the state’s water supply.”
Jennifer Walker, Director of the Texas Coast and Water Program for the National Wildlife Foundation, and recent AWE Board Secretary, shared, “Today’s vote shows that Texans across the political spectrum understand the stakes and are ready to invest in solutions that will protect our water for generations. Investing in our water infrastructure now means fewer leaks, safer drinking water, conservation of natural resources, and a stronger economy that can support families and communities for decades.”
Rachio Joins the Rain Bird Family
In case you missed it, we’re excited to share an exciting update from the AWE network! AWE business member, Rachio has recently been acquired by fellow AWE member Rain Bird Corporation.
“By combining the resources and capabilities of Rain Bird and Rachio, we will accelerate innovation, expand our product portfolio, and strengthen our ability to connect with customers in new and meaningful ways,” said Michael L. Donoghue, Rain Bird President and CEO.
Rachio will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary under CEO and co-founder Chris Klein. This collaboration brings together Rain Bird’s nearly century-long irrigation expertise with Rachio’s smart home innovation to advance water efficiency and intelligent irrigation solutions. Read the full announcement.
Register Today for the 41st Annual WateReuse Symposium
Join the WateReuse Association for the premier annual event for recycled water professionals: the 41st Annual WateReuse Symposium, taking place March 8–11, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. This is your opportunity to connect with water sector professionals, gain insights from expert-led presentations, and explore the latest policy and technology advancements shaping the water recycling industry. Register here.
CalWEP Releases Suite of Non-Functional Turf Resources
In early October, CalWEP, launched this incredible website to support agencies and communities as California implements its new non-functional turf regulation. The website includes a coordinated suite of resources such as an outreach toolkit and an internal agency guidebook to help turn CA Assembly Bill 1572 (AB 1572) into on-the-ground action.
While these resources were created specifically for California-based organizations, there is an abundance of actionable resources relevant to our larger member base. We encourage you to check out some of the categories, including Caring for Trees in Landscape Transformations, or their section dedicated to Professional Landscapers.
Congratulations to the CalWEP staff and board that worked hard to bring this resource to light, and to all of the AWE and CalWEP members that served on this project committee!
News Briefs
California Sets Initial State Water Project Allocation at 10%. Read more.
Trump Administration’s Threats to Shrink or Eliminate National Monuments Could Endanger Drinking Water for Millions. Read more.
Iran’s Capital Is Moving. The Reason Is an Ecological Catastrophe. Read more.
Home Listings Featuring WaterSense Fixtures Surge as Buyers Prioritize Conservation. Read more. Drought is Quietly Pushing American Cities Toward a Fiscal Cliff. Read more.
The World’s First Climate Tipping Point Has Been Crossed, Scientists Say. Read more.