GreenPlumbers a Hit at WaterSmart Innovations '09

SACRAMENTO, CA:     At WaterSmart Innovations 2009, it was all about green. Held in Las Vegas last week, the convention attracted industry professionals from around the U.S. and around the globe to talk water conservation and earth care.

Among the attendees was a contingent from GreenPlumbers, the environmental training program for plumbers. GreenPlumbers held a series of five green plumbing workshops, enabling plumbers to become accredited or licensed as GreenPlumbers.

"We were excited to have GreenPlumbers USA as an educational partner for the WaterSmart Innovations conference.  Plumbing professionals are a critical link in water and energy management, so their participation is beneficial to the event's mission," said Doug Bennett, WSI's program chair.

The workshops, encompassing 32 hours of continuing education for plumbers, included training on water conservation, climate care, solar hot water and new technologies. More than 125 plumbers and other industry professionals from two countries and 20 states became accredited GreenPlumbers. Sixteen companies were licensed as official GreenPlumbers, providing a top-notch green solution to more consumers across the country.

GreenPlumbers also held a session in conjunction with Denver Water and Xcel Energy, showing convention attendees Denver Water’s successful conservation and rebate pilot program. The session was led by GreenPlumbers’ president Megan Lehtonen, who praised the convention as a great way to get the industry together to effect change. “With hundreds of plumbers attending our five courses, this week will have an immediate and lasting impact across the nation,” Lehtonen said. “We are always thrilled to expand our network of trained GreenPlumbers who are available to consumers and to water companies across the U.S. The excitement and enthusiasm of the plumbers who attended was tangible – they’re going back to their home cities with new answers for everyone who wants to do their part to be more environmentally responsible.”

“Denver Water has been an active partner with GreenPlumbers USA as we work together to promote water efficiency,” said Stacy Smith, Denver Water program manager. “This partnership has had several payoffs for Denver Water’s conservation program and our customers. Our residential rebates for HE toilets are at an all-time high, and we have had dozens of plumbers in the Denver-metro area take advantage of training that helps place their clients into our conservation programs.”

The GreenPlumbers^® training and accreditation program is open to all recognized plumbers and contractors. The program is partnered with the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials,EPA’s WaterSense program, the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the California Center for Sustainable Energy, the California Urban Water Conservation Council, and many more industry leaders in its mission of bringing environmental training to plumbers. For more information, visit www.greenplumbersusa.com.

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