Joliet joins the National Mayor’s Challenge for water conservation

The Times Weekly, News Wire

Mayor Bob O’Dekirk is joining mayors across the country for the 10th anniversary of the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation by asking residents to make a long-term commitment to manage water resources more wisely. In return, residents can win $3,000 toward their home utility payments, water saving fixtures, gift cards, and hundreds of other prizes. Plus, one lucky charity from a winning city will receive a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to serve the community.
The annual challenge, which will run from now April 30, 2022, is a non-profit national community service campaign that encourages leaders to inspire their residents to make a series of simple pledges at www.mywaterpledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy. The program was started ten years ago by a handful of mayors who were looking for alternative ways to engage their residents more deeply about the coming water challenges in the United States. In 2021, over $50,000 in prizes were awarded to nearly 300 residents in U.S. cities. Last year 759,000 residents from 42 states pledged to reduce their annual consumption of freshwater. The Challenge goes beyond short term issues and looks at the ways our water use will affect the future of our communities — from how we manage our coasts, lakes, and rivers to reducing polluted runoff.
“Join me in this challenge by taking the My Water Pledge this April. As part of our campaign to Rethink Water, I encourage all residents to commit to conserving water, energy, and our natural resources,” said Mayor O’Dekirk.
To participate, residents go to www.mywaterpledge.com and then make a series of online pledges to conserve water on behalf of the City of Joliet. Cities with the highest percentage of residents who take the challenge in their population category have a chance to win the prizes.
The foundation has also created a new digital tool called My Volunteer Water Project in support of the program. The tool gives residents a unique way to do hands-on home, community, and workplace projects year-round in support of their city’s sustainability efforts. Projects completed by residents throughout the year increase a city’s chance to win the mayor’s challenge in April.
The National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is presented by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota, with support from the US EPA WaterSense, The Toro Company, National League of Cities, Hobie Surf Shops, and Petal Soaps.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to learn more about Joliet’s Alternative Water Source Program at www.RethinkWaterJoliet.org, or by following the initiative through Facebook and Twitter. Visitors to the website can also sign-up to receive e-mail updates for the latest news on the Program.