Smart Watermark

SAWM SEEKS PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS FOR NATIONAL ‘ONE BUCKET CHALLENGE’ INITIATIVE

In the last issue we talked about the research we conducted recently highlighting that most Australians are generally on autopilot when it comes to household water use. We hypothesised that by making water ‘visible’, Australians would relate to it, value it and want to use it efficiently.

When forced to experience their own personal water shortage, interviewees were shocked to see how much tap water they use and waste every day. Fifty-five per cent of Australians even agreed that they are addicted to turning on the tap and 63 per cent said once they knew more about the average water used around the home, they started thinking about how they use it. (Download the complete report Australians’ Relationship with Water from website www.smartwatermark. org.)

Since the last journal we have confirmed support from most of the major water utilities and some local councils to run a national initiative to encourage the 9 million households across the nation to take the ‘One Bucket Challenge’ in August 2020. Householders will pledge their participation to make do with one bucket of water from 5pm till 5am – no taps, no showers – no running water bar the toilet, although even then reduced flushes are suggested.

Water businesses and local government are responding positively to the initiative as something that can dovetail with and deepen the impact and success of their residential water efficiency campaigns.

What does this mean for Smart Approved WaterMark licensees? For existing Smart Approved WaterMark irrigation industry licensees like Hoselink, Hunter Industries and Rain Bird, awareness of the SAWM label will soar amongst resellers and consumers increasing the value of the mark for them.

For new licensees, 2020 is a great year for suppliers of smart irrigation systems and soil amendments as well as irrigation consultants and water efficient watering innovators to apply for certification. As a result of the One Bucket Challenge, SAWM and its licensees will be in the spotlight in national pre event media and associated with the success of this Australian initiative on the night and the water savings we expect the campaign to deliver six months on.

If you would like to partner with us on this initiative, please contact us today for more details.

Smart Approved WaterMark – one-stop shop for water efficiency This challenge opportunity is not the only benefit of having a SAWM license. The mark is often used as a requirement for rebates too.

Some Smart Approved WaterMark Service licensees are taking advantage of great opportunities such as those offered through the Smart Water Solutions Program, which delivers non-res water audits and smart metering recommendations.

The Australians’ Relationship with Water report complements other tools available to SAWM licensees of approved water efficient products such as the website listing and placement in the Blue House as well as the opportunity to be part of the WA Waterwise Products Program and to have write ups in the newsletters regularly sent to 25,000 consumers and 1500 industry stakeholders.

Information For information about ‘The One Bucket Challenge’ or about applying for certification or our other water efficiency opportunities, contact Chris by email at chris.philpot@smartwatermark.info.

Chris Philpot, CEO