Kohler Co. "Save Water America" Campaign Enters Third Year

KOHLER CO. ‘SAVE WATER AMERICA’ CAMPAIGN
ENTERS THIRD YEAR, TARGETING WATER-CHALLENGED STATES

$1 million product donation focuses on Habitat for Humanity homes in Texas and California


Coinciding with World Water Day, Kohler Co. – three-time EPA WaterSense Award recipient – today announces its 2011 $1 million product donation to Habitat for Humanity, supporting Kohler’s efforts to help build water-efficient homes for the third consecutive year. This brings Kohler’s support of Habitat to $3 million in product donations since the Save Water America campaign’s inception in 2009.

This year, Kohler will assist Habitat for Humanity affiliates’ rehabilitation and new home construction projects in partnership with low-income Habitat homeowners in Texas and California, two states which continue to deal with significant water shortage conditions.

“Texas and California are among the most impacted when it comes to freshwater shortages,” said John Engberg, manager of global media and Web development at Kohler. “Saving water inside the home represents the best opportunity for families to make a significant difference in their water consumption, and benefit from lower water bills. The Save Water America campaign helps educate homeowners how to rethink overall water use.”

With the new California Green Building Standards (CALGreen) Code taking effect this year, and many other states facing potential freshwater challenges, it is crucial that homeowners receive increased education around water efficiency. Kohler’s partnership with Habitat affiliates will help drive awareness of the impact this legislation potentially will have on the nation’s looming water shortage.

Engberg added that Texas and California are the nation’s two largest states, accounting for 20 percent of the total U.S. population, making them key targets for increased awareness surrounding water availability.

About Save Water America
Kohler Co.’s water conservation initiatives are mostly driven through the Save Water America campaign, aimed at increasing awareness around the world’s water issues, arming consumers with water conservation information, as well as acting as the company’s water efficiency-focused outreach program.

Save Water America launched in January 2009 as a viral campaign dedicated to educating homeowners on how easy it is to save water. The Web site SaveWaterAmerica.com has tracked the more than 1,200 homes which have been built in 48 states with KOHLER water-saving plumbing products through the company’s $2 million product donation to Habitat for Humanity over the past two years.

Kohler encourages homeowners to log on to the Save Water America Web site and access information on water-saving products, tips and available toilet rebate programs throughout the country, designed to help offset the cost of replacing older model fixtures. Save Water America also reaches homeowners on Facebook, Twitter, and online social sharing sites.

Included in the standard KOHLER plumbing products package for Habitat for Humanity projects are EPA WaterSense-listed products – high-efficiency toilets, showerheads and bathroom faucets. The high-efficiency toilets each save about 15,000 gallons of water annually versus older model toilets. In addition, the KOHLER showerheads and faucets use 30 percent less water without sacrificing performance, helping homeowners reduce water use and cut water bill costs.

These plumbing products are easy to install; come in many design styles; and perform to owners’ expectations, added Engberg.

About Kohler Co.
As a global design and technology leader of products for the kitchen and bath, Kohler Co. offers plumbing products under its KOHLER and STERLING brands that are designed to conserve natural resources while remaining true to a singular level of quality for performance and design. Whether specifying plumbing products that help buildings earn LEED® water-efficiency points, reducing facility operating costs or accommodating the preferences of homeowners, environmentally conscious KOHLER fixtures and faucets address the challenging demands of customers and preserve one of our most precious natural resources.