United States Office of Water EPA832-F-00-011
Environmental Protection i (4204) July 2000
Agency j www.epa.gov/owm/genwave.htm
v>EPA Frequently Asked Questions
About U.S. EPA's Voluntary
Water-Efficiency Program
Water Alliances For
Voluntary Efficiency
What is WAVE?
WAVE (Water Alliances for Voluntary Efficiency) is a non-regulatory water-efficiency partner-
ship created and supported by U.S. EPA. WAVE'S mission is to encourage commercial busi-
nesses and institutions to reduce water consumption while increasing efficiency, profitabili-
ty, and competitiveness,,
Why did EPA create this program?
WAVE is part of EPA's long-term effort to prevent pollution and reduce demands on the
nation's water and energy resources. As supplies shrink and demands rise, competition
among industrial, agricultural, and domestic users for available water is increasing. Through
WAVE and other programs, EPA seeks to ensure that adequate U.S. water resources remain
available to support both human and environmental needs.
Can joining WAVE actually benefit the environment?
Yes. WAVE helps protect the environment and sustain wildlife habitats by reducing water
use, wastewater discharges and energy use. Less wastewater and reduced consumption
means less energy is needed to heat, pump, and process water. This, in turn, helps cut pol-
luting emissions from power plants. The commercial/institutional sectors could potentially
save about 1.3 billion gallons of water per day, equivalent to that used by four million
homes, by installing water-efficient equipment. Electricity savings resulting from reduced
water use would be about 11 million kilowatt-hours per day, enough to meet the needs of
400,000 homes.
How many types of WAVE memberships are there?
Two: Partners and Supporters. Partners include lodging establishments, office buildings, and
educational institutions. Any water service company, equipment supplier/manufacturer, gov-
ernment agency, or water/wastewater utility may become a Supporter.
After joining, what then?
New members sign a Membership Agreement, agreeing to survey water-using equipment, and
where profitable, install water-efficient upgrades Within a pre-arranged time frame. Members
a*S° agree to consider using water-efficient equipment in the design of all new facilities.
Program results are reported to EPA annually.
-------
1"
• L' s;:; '•% !'1:S ..*
What support will 1 receive?
EPA is committed taEelp'ing'aii'"WAVEl members publicize their water efficiency programs:
Support includes nationwide public service advertising and press releases. Members also receive
free water management software and technical support.
How much can I eacpeet to save?
Water-efficiency measures, like those proposed by WAVE, can reduce water and sewer costs up to
30 percent. Significant savings in energy, chemical, and maintenance expenses are also possible.
The typical payback period is less than two years.
Who else has joined WAVE?
WAVE'S participants represent some of the lodging industry's most recognizable names, including
Westin, Hyatt, ITT Sheraton, Outrigger, La Quinta Hotels," and Accor Economy Lodging which
owns Motel 6, Studio 6 and Red Roof Inns. Collectively WAVE Lodging Partners control almost
1,800 U.S. hotel properties and almost 339,000 guest rooms, Columbia University in the City of
New York and the University of Hawaii at Hilo were^^g^p;..jg^sHp jom WAVE as Educational
Partners. ''''' ^ „,'"'"'"'""' "' "I" i" !"T".' """""'.. , ", , i,' ['
rti INI,*,*:!!! '
How do 1 Join?
For more information, please call 202 260-7288. You can also write to: WAVE! frogranj^pirectpj:,
U.S. EPA (4204), Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue; NW, Washington, DC 20460; or
visit our Web site at-.
!, .. .Ml iplXKin,!! i,,„', 1,; , ,,,1 -', „,, " , ',;',';'; .1!.'; ^[Xx " •" ..j I i; „:, „ , ' J'... V v !"
M,;:::11 T :;l,;•,;:!!!: i;;!1!!!;:,;: „ T ';i;',;",:"',: ':;"„; :',!:tt ?; f !;ii Ssi!; ill"' ! : ,: ' ' „ ""ai;:;
'••;'% : • •,."-!";:: Ss'V'i:,
r.' ;;i t«:!;"!!"' ^ I ;'.;«»:;«? I!;11: ;!!"': iv /"''"! '" ?": i:"; I!" ;:'; i1"1!*;
, "li i "J yllfr Jllil^^ \! yjll !,:' y llAMjIljll ;' !! IIIIWi i I';;,:Wl S|h||,|!
Printed on paper that contains at least 30 percent postconsumer fiber.
------- |