The Award for Excellence is a special award for overall contribution to water sustainability. This award acknowledges the organisation or individual that has made the greatest contribution to sustainability across all awards categories. There is no special nomination process for this award – all entries to the savewater! awards® are considered.

Recognises outstanding water savings achieved in production processes and systems. This category targets demonstrated innovation and achievement in the reduction of water used in areas including plant operations, behavioural practices, offices and production processes. This category does not cover development of products for use by third party consumers – these water conservation achievements will be recognised through the Product Innovations category.

Recognises outstanding reductions in water consumed on site by business and organisations engaged in service provision. Typical entrants in this category could include cafes and restaurants, hospital linen and catering services, printers, newsagents, industry associations, butchers, and other retail / wholesale providers.

Recognises outstanding reductions in water consumed on site by regional businesses. Entrants in this category may be involved in the manufacturing or service provision sectors, but must operate solely from a regional or rural location outside the Melbourne Metropolitan Area. Note: A separate category is available for water conservation achievements in Primary Industries.

Acknowledges achievement and a strong ongoing commitment by a local council, state or federal government agency / department to reduce their water use. This category also includes government owned businesses and utilities.

Acknowledges achievements in water savings by a primary producer in regional Victoria. Any business engaged in a primary industry can qualify for this award, including (but not limited to): agriculture, aquaculture, extractive industries, forestry, viticulture, horticulture and agroforestry.

Education and communication programs in educational institutions play a vital role in achieving long-term attitudinal and behavioural change to water and the way we use it. This category is open to pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions and organisations that have developed and are delivering water conservation programs within those institutions.

Acknowledges the role of design and construction in achieving a long-term sustainable water system. This category focuses on completed developments (either residential or commercial) that have incorporated water saving features into their design and construction and are achieving water savings. Typically entrants in this category would include property developers, architects, builders and carpenters, owner builders or renovators, and partnerships of such groups.

Gardens can be a major consumer of water in both residential and larger settings. This category recognises the significant impact that water efficient garden design, construction and plant selection can have on water consumption and garden maintenance. Entries are open to landscape design professionals, plant wholesalers and retailers that actively promote and practice water efficient garden habits. This category does not cover development of products for use in the garden – these achievements will be recognised through the Product Innovations category.

This category rewards the development and commercialisation of a product that minimises potable water consumption. Products could include (but are not limited to) domestic appliances, consumer products, commercial equipment, washing systems, water storage and irrigation.

Recognised in their community as a leader in water conservation, the winner of this award will have achieved outstanding water savings and demonstrate a long-term commitment to efficient water use. This category is open to individuals or community groups who have demonstrated outstanding water savings and encourage others to do the same.