Best Practice Action 15.4
GreenStep City Best Practices: Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing No. 15
Adopt environmentally preferable purchasing policies and practices to improve health and environmental outcomes.
Best Practice Action Detail
Best Practice Action 4
Require purchase of U.S. EPA WaterSense-certified products.
- U.S. EPA-sponsored WaterSense appliances and standards.
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Report purchases of WaterSense equipment; require that all city purchases of water-using products, and all city development or renovation, meet WaterSense certification. |
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Achieve 1 Star AND publicize the City's requirement and encourage citizens and businesses to purchase WaterSense products. |
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Run a rebate program for business/residents to purchase WaterSense products; join EPA WaterSense program; achieve 1 Star AND work with local vendors to stock and routinely promote WaterSense products. |
Who's doing it
New Brighton -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
In 2016, New Brighton received a Clean Water Fund grant focused on improving the city’s water efficiency through managing residential water systems. New Brighton offered rebates to apartment complexes that used significantly more water than their peers. These property owners were customers of the municipal water supply system and they replaced existing toilets and fixtures with more efficient, sustainable devices (which were labeled as U.S. EPA WaterSense-certified).
New Brighton also purchases WaterSense-certified products when updating government facilities. The City ensured optimal water efficiency for new City Hall restrooms during a recent remodel in 2016. In all the restrooms, WaterSense-certified toilets and water efficient sinks were installed
New Brighton also purchases WaterSense-certified products when updating government facilities. The City ensured optimal water efficiency for new City Hall restrooms during a recent remodel in 2016. In all the restrooms, WaterSense-certified toilets and water efficient sinks were installed
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Craig Schlichting (City staff) | craig.schlichting@newbrightonmn.gov | 651-638-2056
Partners:
Shoreview -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City became member of the EPA's WaterSense program in 2014. Future equipment replacements as needed will meet WaterSense certification as required by our adopted Environmental Purchasing Policy.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Ellen Brenna (City staff) | ebrenna@shoreviewmn.gov | 651-490-4665
Partners:
Coon Rapids -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The City's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guidelines state that water saving products and fixtures will meet the WaterSense certification. The Coon Creek Watershed District has offered grants for smart irrigation products for residential properties in the past. Reconstructed City parks use smart irrigation technology.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Olivia Dorow Hovland (City Staff) | odorowhovland@coonrapidsmn.gov | 763-767-6458
Partners:
Duluth -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
2019 Update: Comfort Systems, the municipally owned water utility, encourages residents to purchase Watersense appliances to reduce residential energy use.
Facilities Management Division requires the purchse of U.S. EPA WaterSense certified products or their equivalent for commmercial use.
Facilities Management Division requires the purchse of U.S. EPA WaterSense certified products or their equivalent for commmercial use.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Alex Jackson, Energy Coordinator (City staff) | ajackson@DuluthMN.gov | 218-730-4433
Partners:
Eagan -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City Council approved Environment Purchasing Guidelines include a provision that water-saving products purchased by the City will meet the WaterSense certification when such products are available and financially feasible.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Andrew Pimental (City Staff) | apimental@cityofeagan.com | 651/675-5506
Partners:
Roseville -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city participates in the Water Sense program.
The Water Sense program has been communicated to businesses and residents.
The Water Sense program has been communicated to businesses and residents.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Ryan Johnson (City staff) | Ryan.johnson@cityofroseville.com | 651-792-7049
Partners:
Warren -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
1-Star
Passed a city council resolution to approve a Sustainable Purchasing Policy that requires city buildings, developments, and renovations to purchase WaterSense-certified equipment.
2-Star
Met the expectations for 1-Star; the City's requirement for WaterSense-certified product purchasing in its buildings is displayed on its front page.
Passed a city council resolution to approve a Sustainable Purchasing Policy that requires city buildings, developments, and renovations to purchase WaterSense-certified equipment.
2-Star
Met the expectations for 1-Star; the City's requirement for WaterSense-certified product purchasing in its buildings is displayed on its front page.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The city council verified the Sustainable Purchasing Policy.
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links: http://www.warrenminnesota.com/
For more information contact:
Shannon Mortenson (City staff) | shannonm@warrenminnesota.com | 218-745-5343
Partners:
Apple Valley -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City purchases the most efficient water-using products for operations when economically feasible.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Charless Grawe (City staff) | CGrawe@ci.apple-valley.mn.us | 952-953-2508
Partners:
Cottage Grove -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
Replaced several facility toilets with U.S. EPA WaterSense toilets and replaced washing machines at Ice Arena with U.S. EPA WaterSense Washing Machines
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Ryan Burfeind (City staff) | rburfeind@cottage-grove.org | 651-458-2899
Partners: Kraft Contracting & Mechanical L.L.C.
Dilworth -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Dilworth adopted an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy that requires the city to purchase products that are WaterSense certified when the products are available and financially feasible.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
L. Peyton Mastera (City staff) | peyton.mastera@ci.dilworth.mn.us | 218-287-2313
Partners:
Edina -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The Energy and Environment Commission (EEC) has approved a draft of an environmental purchasing policy, which is yet to be reviewed by City Council at the 2-21-12 EEC/City Council Work Session. Purchasing choices will require the purchase of U.S. EPSense-certified products for all product categories covered by the Water Sense program.
(reviewing purchasing policy)
(reviewing purchasing policy)
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Grace Hancock (City Staff) | ghancock@edinamn.gov | (952)826-1621
Partners:
Golden Valley -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
In 2017, new sustainable purchasing guidelines were sent out to all City employees. These guidelines included specifications that all new fixtures and products that use water (including, but not limited to, sinks, toilets, urinals, showerheads, pre-rinse spray valves, and irrigation controllers) will be WaterSense certified when such products are available and financially feasible.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Marc Nevinksi (City staff) | mnevinski@goldenvalleymn.gov | 763-593-8008
Partners:
Hastings -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Hastings City Council approved the attached policy on September 6, 2016 outlining the requirements for purchasing WaterSense certified products.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Megan Schlei (City Staff) | MSchlei@hastingsmn.gov | 651-480-6159
Partners:
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
Included in the LLHA Purchasing Policy submitted to satisfy BP 15.1 is a provision that states that: "Water conserving fixtures shall be utilized. Toilets, showerheads and bathroom faucets shall be Water-Sense labeled or not to exceed: Toilets-1.28 gpf , Showerheads - 2.0 gpm, Bathroom faucets -1.5 gpm, Kitchen faucets - 2 gpm." (pg. 8 of LLHA Procurement Policy)
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Brandy Toft (City staff) | air@lldrm.org | 218-335-7429
Partners: LLHA
Mountain Iron -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Section II(4) of our Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy requires the purchase of WaterSense certified products
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Craig Wainio (City staff) | cwainio@ci.mountain-iron.mn.us | 218-748-7570
Partners:
New Hope -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city adopted an Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy on November 23, 2015 that calls for the purchase of WaterSense certified products.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jeff Alger (City Staff) | jalger@newhopemn.gov | 763-531-5119
Partners:
Northfield -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Northfield City Council passed Resolution 2015-035 requiring the purchase of EPA WaterSense certified products.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
During future renovation projects, EPA WaterSense products will be purchased.
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Beth Kallestad (City staff) | beth.kallestad@ci.northfield.mn.us | 507-645-3074
Partners: EPA
Oakdale -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
City employees follow environmentally friendly purchasing guidelines when buying water-using products, purchasing US EPA's WaterSense certified products whenever possible and economically feasible.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jen Hassebroek (City staff) | jen.hassebroek@ci.oakdale.mn.us | 651-730-2723
Partners:
Savage -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The City of Savage sets procedures for purchasing through a Purchasing Guidelines and Procedures Policy. Staff initiated an update to the policy in November of 2020 to include Purchasing Sustainability Requirements (page 9). This section requires U.S. EPA WaterSense-certified products. The update to the policy was approved by City Council on 11/2/2020.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Casey Casella (City Staff) | ccasella@cityofsavage.com | 952-882-2668
Partners:
White Bear Lake -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City adopted an Environment Purchasing Policy on April 22, 2014 that includes a provision that water-saving products purchased by the City will meet the WaterSense certification when such products are available and financially feasible.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Connie Taillon (City staff) | ctaillon@whitebearlake.org | 651-429-8564
Partners:
Woodbury -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Water saving products purchased by the city meet the WaterSense certification when such products are available. At this time, purchase of WaterSense products is a practice, but it will be included in the EPP that is currently being developed.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jennifer McLoughlin (City staff) | jmcloughlin@ci.woodbury.mn.us | 651-714-3522
Partners:
Greenstep Advisor
Alison Cameron, Sustainable Purchasing Coordinator, MN Pollution Control Agency: 651-757-2195, alison.cameron@state.mn.us, www.pca.state.mn.us/epp