IEUA awarded for conservation work

The Rain Bird Corporation was awarded the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) with its prestigious 2009 Intelligent Use of Water- State of the Union Award for its innovative Inland Empire Landscape Alliance Program.

The Intelligent Use of Water Award seeks to bring about a greater knowledge and awareness of the need for water conservation. The award recognizes city and state municipalities and water agencies nation-wide that excel in implementing effective landscape water-efficiency programs and initiatives.

The Inland Empire Landscape Alliance was honored by Rain Bird as being one of the most innovative and successful programs in the country to develop a collaborative approach to outdoor water conservation. The Alliance developed a model regional landscape ordinance and a successful pilot landscape rebate program to encourage the removal of turf and use of water efficient plants. Tours and informational workshops sponsored by the alliance have reached hundreds of residents, city employees and landscape professionals. 

As part of the award, IEUA will be invited to attend Rain Bird's Intelligent Use of Water Summit XI to provide a formal presentation showcasing the Landscape Alliance program to U.S. and International water management leaders. Rain Bird is a privately held company founded in 1933 on the principle that water is the Earth's most precious resource and the need to conserve it and use it responsibly has never been greater.

The Inland Empire Utilities Agency distributes imported water from Metropolitan Water District and provides industrial/municipal wastewater collection and treatment services, operates the

Chino 1 Desalter, and other related utility services for a 242-square-mile area in the western portion of San Bernardino County. 

The IEUA serves about 850,000 residents.