UCI Health recognized as Conservation Champion by water efficiency group

Champions in water conservation

Orange, Calif. – UCI Health has been named a Conservation Champion by the water efficiency group Water Savers Solutions (WSS).

The academic health system continues to be at the forefront of water-saving efficiencies and conservation, making significant improvements while working with the group on its water reduction efforts since 2015.

With the assistance of WSS, UCI Health has already surpassed its 2025 conservation goal of cutting water usage by 37%.

To achieve this goal, the health system made facility-wide implementations, including modifications to its major water-using systems and retrofitting domestic fixtures to water-saving faucets and showerheads which also included adding an antimicrobial component made exclusively for healthcare.

“WSS has helped UCI Health reduce waterborne pathogens and water usage in critical areas throughout the medical center,” said Joe Brothman, director of UCI Health facilities, environmental health and safety, and emergency management.

“It’s a great pleasure to select UCI Health as our Conservation Champion,” said Water Savers Solution Founder and CEO Charles Bragdon. “It is very rewarding to see one of the community’s largest organizations not only identify opportunities for conserving water, but also fund and implement action to help fight against the drought, which has made a huge impact.

L-R: Tony Dover, UCI Health energy manager; Nelson Oliveira, UCI Health facilities operations manager; Joe Brothman, UCI Health facilities, environmental health & safety and emergency management director; Charles Bragdon, Water Saver Solutions founder and CEO; Anthony John Campagnolo, UCI Health lead plumber; Gregory Paul, Water Savers Solution business development manager; William McClain, UCI Health senior superintendent of plant.

"Having buy-in and excitement from everyone in the administration through to the facilities department has helped UCI Health succeed in meeting its water conservation goal,” he added.

About Water Saver Solutions: “The H2R0I People,” helps commercial and institutional clients optimize their water flow into cash flow. Founded in 2008, it provides water audits and systems surveys, consulting and engineering services, flow control installation and maintenance, and code-compliance documentation, helping deliver measurable improvements in water savings, efficiency and safety to help clients achieve operational excellence.

UCI Health is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine, and the only academic health system in Orange County. Patients can access UCI Health at primary and specialty care offices across Orange County and at its main campus, UCI Medical Center in Orange, Calif. The 459-bed acute care hospital, listed among America’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 22 consecutive years, provides tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, behavioral health and rehabilitation services. UCI Medical Center is home to Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center and regional burn center. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.