Untapped Potential: How WaterSense Saves You Water, Money and Water for the Future

10/02/23 • 40 min

Have you ever thought about how much water it takes to flush a toilet? Or run your dishwasher? The EPA’s WaterSense program helps consumers choose more water-efficient products with their WaterSense label for faucets, appliances, irrigation, and more.
In this episode we sit down with Veronica Blette, Chief of the WaterSense Branch, to talk about how they have helped US homeowners save more than $171 billion dollars in water and energy bills and trillions of gallons of water.
Save water, save money, save the planet!
In this episode, we discuss:
What is the WaterSense Program?
How are products reviewed and rated?
What are the efficiency standards and performance?
Why choose a WaterSense product?
What has the impact been?
What are the other programs of WaterSense?
What does the future hold?
Look for the WaterSense label and learn more at: www.epa.gov/watersense or on Facebook
Veronica Blette manages the WaterSense program in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water. She loves working on water efficiency with WaterSense, was the 2016 recipient of the Alliance for Water Efficiency Water Star award, and is the current chair of the Water Conservation Division for the American Water Works Association.
At EPA, she has also served as special assistant to the director of the national drinking water program and led the agency’s drinking water infrastructure financing program. Before joining EPA in 1997, she worked in the academic research and environmental consulting fields on projects investigating the effects of acid rain on soils and water quality. She has a B.A. in Geology from Smith College and a M.S. in Geology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @weneedh20
Watch the episode on Youtube

Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @weneedh20
Watch the episode on Youtube

Previous Episode

Climate Proofing Your PNW Garden

Are you wondering how to adapt your garden to climate change? As our summers become hotter and dryer, learn how to adapt your garden and make it more resilient. In this episode we speak with best-selling author and business owner, Jessi Bloom of NW Bloom Ecological Services about practical tips, innovative techniques and expert insights to cultivate resilient gardens that thrive.
Episode Topics:

What is a resilient landscape
How do we adapt our garden to climate change
What is permaculture
Trends in landscape maintenance
Tips for how to create a resilient garden
Soil health
Water collection and water harvesting
Best application for drip application

About Jessi Bloom:
Jessi Bloom was born and raised in the PNW and has a strong background of horticulture and environmental sciences. Her work has gotten press and been featured in many national and local media outlets from the NY Times, Better Homes & Gardens, Sunset Magazine, DISNEY, Martha Stewart Living. She is a speaker and the best-selling author of:

Free-Range Chicken Gardens (2012)
Practical Permaculture Design(2015) which is now in 6 languages;
Creating Sanctuary: Sacred Garden Spaces, Plant Based Medicine and Daily Practices to Achieve Happiness and Well-Being (2017)
Everyday Sanctuary (2019)

Learn more about Cascade Water Alliance’s We Need Water Program
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @weneedh20
Watch the episode on Youtube

Next Episode

What Is PFAS And Why Should I Care?

Do you know about PFAS? Have you ever wondered it it’s in your water? PFAS are a group of over 12,000 forever chemicals that are found in everyday products like nonstick pans, food packaging, rain gear, and even organic kale! It’s also being found in drinking water, and has negative impacts on human health and our environment. The US Geological Survey recently released a report about PFAS in the US water supply where they tested drinking water in over 700 homes across the US – and we are sharing the highlights in this episode.
Research Hydrologist, Kelly Smalling of the US Geological Survey discusses what PFAS is, the risks, safety levels, the hotspots for PFAS in the US, regulatory actions, and treatment technologies.
Link to USGS PFAS Map
In this episode, we discuss:
What is PFAS (2:00)
Where does PFAS come from? (3:05)
Is PFAS safe? (5:23)
How is the EPA responding to regulating PFAS now? (7:10)
What are the effects of PFAS? (9:40)
What is the maximum contamination level in drinking water for PFAS? (10:27)
Have industries changed the chemicals they are using and producing? (11:52)
What is the treatment technology to remove PFAS from drinking water? (13:00)
Why did the US Geological Survey create a report on PFAS? (13:55)
How many homes did you visit and test?
What results did you find in the water samples from US homes?
Where was PFAS detected?
What are the next steps for research? (21:59)
What should people take away from PFAS? (24:06)
Where can people find the USGS report on PFAS? (26:03)
What do you most enjoy about your job? (26:57)