Kohler Launches Viral Web Campaign to Educate Homeowners about Water-Saving Plumbing Products

Business Wire, Jan 21, 2009

SaveWaterAmerica.com includes up to $1 million in product donation to Habitat for Humanity

LAS VEGAS -- This morning during the International Builders' Show, Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath design and technology, launched SaveWaterAmerica.com - a viral online campaign dedicated to teach homeowners how easy it is to save water. With the launch of this site--and help from Web visitors--Kohler will provide up to $1 million worth of water-saving plumbing products to Habitat for Humanity.

"Kohler recognizes the looming freshwater shortage facing the United States, and that saving water inside the home represents the best opportunity for a family to make a significant difference on their water consumption," said John Engberg, manager of global media and Web development at Kohler. "This online campaign is dedicated to educate homeowners, and benefit Habitat for Humanity with donations of KOHLER plumbing products."

Web visitors to SaveWaterAmerica.com are asked to participate in a three-question quiz, and for every completed quiz, Kohler will donate $1 worth of product to Habitat for Humanity, which will be tracked in real time on the Web site. The short quiz calculates how much water and money the visitor's family could save if they replaced their old toilets.

Kohler has already guaranteed to provide $500,000 worth of product to Habitat for Humanity, and is encouraging homeowners to log on to its new site and 'virtually' match the pledge toward reaching the goal of $1 million in product donations. The full donation of $1 million would equate to Kohler donating enough plumbing products to complete nearly 600 Habitat homes. The products will help build sustainable homes.

About the Web site and program

Information about water-saving products is easily accessible on the site, which includes a database of available toilet rebate programs throughout the country. These rebates, ranging from $25 to $150, help offset the cost of replacing older model fixtures.

Visitors can easily share the viral site with friends or post it to their social network pages to help Kohler reach the $1 million product donation goal, added Engberg.

Some of the products Kohler plans to donate include high efficiency toilets that save about 15,000 gallons of water annually versus older model toilets. In addition, KOHLER showerheads and faucets that use 30 percent less water without sacrificing performance will also be part of the plumbing products package. These plumbing products are easy to install; come in many design styles; and perform to owners' expectations, added Engberg.

To help homeowners better understand water conservation, Kohler is also launching a grassroots campaign, where company experts plan to visit more than 25 U.S. cities currently facing water shortages. These events will demonstrate to consumers the environmental and financial benefits of saving water inside the home - and how easy it is to accomplish.

Kohler Co. is a dedicated partner of the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program, as evidenced by the company's recent receipt of the inaugural WaterSense Partner of the Year award.

WaterSense, the EPA's voluntary public-private partnership program, seeks to protect the future of the nation's water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs and practices. Plumbing fixtures and faucets that qualify for the WaterSense label assures consumers of actual water savings and strict performance standards.

Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of America's oldest and largest privately held companies. Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, engines and power generation systems, cabinetry, tile and home interiors, and an international host to award-winning hospitality and world-class golf destinations.