Res. No. 284

Resolution calling upon the United States Environmental Protection Agency to create a program for water-efficient products similar to the ENERGY STAR^® program for energy-efficient products.

By Council Members Gennaro, Addabbo, Jr., Baez, Fidler, Gerson, Jackson, Koppell, Nelson, Quinn, Reed, Sanders, Jr., Stewart, Barron, Brewer, Clarke, Gioia, Jennings, Liu, Lopez, Martinez, Recchia, Rivera, Vallone and Weprin

Whereas, New York City’s drinking water supply is a critical resource for eight million New York City residents, approximately one million residents of Westchester County, and a multitude of others who work in and visit the City; and

Whereas, New York City has experienced seven droughts over the last forty years, two of which lasted for over a year; and

Whereas, Conserving water is an aggressive way to better ensure that there will be a sufficient supply of water to meet all of the City’s needs; and

Whereas, Using less water reduces wastewater flows, thus easing the burden on the City’s wastewater treatment plants and enhancing the environmental and ecological health of the City’s receiving waters; and

Whereas, According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), efficient water use can have major environmental, public health, and economic benefits by helping to improve water quality, maintain aquatic ecosystems, and protect drinking water resources; and

Whereas, The EPA introduced ENERGY STAR® as a voluntary labeling program in 1992 to identify and promote energy-efficient products in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and

Whereas, In 1996, the EPA partnered with the United States Department of Energy for particular ENERGY STAR® product categories; and

Whereas, The ENERGY STAR® label now appears on many types of energy-using equipment, such as major appliances, office equipment, lighting and home electronics and the EPA has extended the label to cover new homes and commercial and industrial buildings; and

Whereas, The ENERGY STAR® program provides technical information and tools to help organizations and consumers choose energy-efficient solutions and best management practices; and

Whereas, According to the EPA, its ENERGY STAR® partnerships with businesses offer a proven energy management strategy that helps in measuring current energy performance, setting goals, tracking savings, and rewarding improvements; and

Whereas, More than 630 million products with the ENERGY STAR^® label have been purchased to date; and

Whereas, Consumers would be able to more easily identify water-efficient products and their associated benefits and make more educated purchasing decisions if such products bore a label that presented the products’ water-saving characteristics; and

Whereas, A water efficiency program, similar to the ENERGY STAR^® program, would help organizations and consumers choose water-efficient solutions and best management practices; and

Whereas, According to the EPA, its Office of Water strongly encourages all sectors of society to achieve efficient water use and, to promote such use, the EPA’s primary role is to provide technical assistance and information concentrating on improved management practices, better science, effective planning and coordination, market incentives, and public education; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Environmental Protection Agency to create a program for water-efficient products similar to the ENERGY STAR^® program for energy-efficient products.