The Water Conservancy has re-launched the Smart Approved WaterMark (SAWM) Product of the Year announcing the winners for 2023 at an Awards Dinner in Perth on Thursday 27 April. The SAWM Product of the Year Award is designed to recognise leading-edge licensed products and services that use water efficiently.

The winners for 2023 are:

  • Vegepod- Product of the Year Residential Winner 2023
  • Aquapea- Product of the Year Commercial Winner 2023
  • Swan Systems - Service of the Year 2023

Chris Philpot, CEO of The Water Conservancy said “I’m excited to bring back the annual Smart Approved WaterMark. Previous winners have seen huge benefit from this Award so I know it will be well received within the sector.”

The SAWM Product of the Year was established in 2008. The winners receive a certificate and access to the Product of the Year logo to use on their website.Nine shortlisted products and services were selected by the SAWM Expert Panel across residential products, commercial products and service categories under the following criteria:

  • Innovation – is the product an innovative solution to water conservation, and/or is it the first to market in its category?
  • Design – is the product easy to use, install and well designed?
  • Marketability – what is the price point, affordability, and packaging of the product?
  • Sustainability – what is the carbon footprint of the product?

Jeremy Cape, Chair of the SAWM Expert Panel said "It was a very tricky decision as so many of the SAWM approved products and services met our criteria for the Product of the Year. However, after much discussion we came to unanimous view amongst the Panel members on the winners. The winners should be congratulated on their achievement, and the challenge of deciding the winners demonstrates how excellent all the short-listed products were. The quality of the products demonstrates that the SAWM accreditation program is robust and credible with high standards expected."

Smart Approved WaterMark was set up in 2004, as a directive from the National Water Initiative, designed specifically to recognise water saving products that qualify for water utility offered rebates and exemption under drought restrictions and to help shoppers make the right choices. Today SAWM is managed by The Water Conservancy and continues to certify water efficient products and services.

SAWM has an independent technical Expert Panel providing credibility and expertise and has approved products in over a dozen categories including pool and spa, garden, car, plumbing, watering, greywater and bathroom amongst others.

Product and Services keen to be certified by Smart Approved WaterMark for their water savings and be in the running for the 2024 Awards should apply at www.smartwatermark.org