With the United Nations’ 20th annual World Water Day focusing on international cooperation in managing water, it’s a good time to highlight projects in the United States that are saving water — and energy.

World Water Day, which takes place every March 22, aims to increase awareness of the millions of people who don’t have access to clean drinking water. (See related quiz: “What You Don’t Know About Water and Energy“)

Earlier this year, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and the Alliance for Water Efficiency announced their first awards for five programs that a panel decided were exemplary, and seven more that were recognized with honorable mentions. The panel accepted nominations for projects in the