Austin Water celebrates organizations’ conservation efforts

The Austin Water utility recognized four organizations for “excellence in water conservation” last week at a ceremony held at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. The Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, Applied Materials Inc., the University of Texas at Austin and the Interfaith Environmental Network of Austin (known as IEN) were all honored for their “innovative conservation practices, consumer education and advocacy to conserve water,” according to an announcement from AW. The Home Builders Association earned recognition for its work with AW to develop a publication that provides consumers with water-efficient landscaping guidelines. Applied Materials installed a system for using recycled water – more than 6 million gallons a year – in its manufacturing processes. UT upgraded its irrigation systems to reduce the systems’ water usage by 66 percent annually. And IEN was recognized for its series of classes and symposiums on sustainability and environmental stewardship, as well as for its efforts to join the utility in distributing efficient aerators and showerheads.