EPWU AWARDED FOR COMMUNICATIONS, CONSERVATION EFFORTS News Release Contact: Christina Montoya, Vice President – Marketing and Communication 915-594-5596 (office), e-mail: cmontoya@epwu.org Date: April 18, 2012 SAN ANTONIO – El Paso Water Utilities accepted two first place awards at a joint meeting of the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Association of Texas on April 12 in San Antonio. EPWU's landscape education and turf rebate programs won a first place Water Conservation and Reuse award. From 2001 to 2007, EPWU offered cash rewards to El Pasoans willing to replace thirsty turf grass with landscaping appropriate for the Chihuahuan Desert. Even after the rebates were completed, the utility continued educating El Pasoans about plants that are well-suited to long-term success in our arid climate, meaning water savings from the program continue even today. EPWU received a first place Watermark Award for Communications Excellence after the utility's social media strategy was deemed the best online communication tool among large water utilities in Texas. Late last year, EPWU began using Twitter and YouTube to communicate directly to customers. The utility will launch its Facebook page on April 23. "We are proud to build on EPWU's legacy of statewide leadership," said EPWU Vice President of Marketing and Communications Christina Montoya. "These awards are really a credit to our customers, who have proven they want to know more about where their water comes from and they want to conserve." Montoya oversees the utility's outreach and water conservation efforts. EPWU also received two honorable mention Watermark Awards – one for this video tour of the Carlos M. Ramirez TecH2O Water Resources Learning Center and a second for the utility's "Keep Alert. Keep Clear." stormwater safety campaign.