The water conservation efforts of the Tri-City Water Savers, a partnership of four municipal agencies based in the San Clemente area of Southern California, were recently honored by the American Public Works Association. Through the Water Savers, three neighboring towns collaborate with each other and their regional water supplier to increase water conservation and reduce water pollution in their communities. Drought conditions in this area of Southern California have been of particular concern for many years, but the innovative ideas being put into place by the Water Savers can serve as an inspiring model to the entire country, as water shortages are expected to increase in number and severity in many parts of the country in the coming years.

The Water Savers' initiatives include seminars targeting Homeowners Associations and the hospitality industry; a "Friendly Landscape Training Class" offered in English and Spanish to teach landscapers about water-conscious irrigation practices; and a special Plumber's Forum that educated plumbers in the tri-city area about the latest in water-saving fixtures and highlighted rebates available to California residents.

The special regional partnership formed by the Water Savers not only makes it easy to share knowledge with a large group of people, it makes doing so more efficient. Because one organization is handling the programming for three cities, only one seminar is planned instead of three, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, paper and water waste, and expenses.