Mayor Terry D’Arcy is joining mayors nationwide in encouraging residents to commit to reducing pollution and managing water resources more wisely. By participating in the annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, residents have the opportunity to win eco-friendly prizes while contributing to a sustainable future.
The non-profit national community service campaign, running from April 1-30, invites residents to make simple, water-saving pledges at mywaterpledge.com. These commitments aim to promote efficient water use, reduce pollution, and save energy. The program, initiated by the Wyland Foundation, has engaged thousands of cities over the years, fostering a spirit of environmental stewardship across the nation.
“Water conservation is vital to our city’s sustainability,” said Allison Swisher, Director of Public Utilities. “Our Rethink Water Joliet and Rethink Conservation Joliet initiatives encourage residents to be mindful of their water usage as we prepare to transition to a new water source.”
In previous years, residents from over 2,000 cities across all 50 U.S. states pledged to reduce their annual consumption of freshwater by over 1 billion gallons, decrease waste sent to landfills by 35 million pounds, and prevent nearly 100,000 pounds of hazardous waste from entering Joliet watersheds. The Challenge emphasizes the impact of daily water habits on the future of local communities, from protecting coasts, lakes, and rivers to minimizing polluted runoff.
“Participating in the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation offers a fantastic opportunity for everyone to engage in positive environmental actions,” said Mayor D’Arcy. “I encourage all Joliet residents to take the free pledge at mywaterpledge.com and help our city lead in sustainable practices for generations to come.”
To participate, residents can visit mywaterpledge.com and make a series of online pledges to conserve water on behalf of Joliet. Cities compete in various population categories, with Joliet falling into the 100,000-299,999-resident bracket.
Cities with the highest percentage of residents taking the pledge in their category have a chance to win eco-friendly prizes, including $3,000 toward home utility bills, water-saving fixtures, and more.
In addition to competing against other cities across the country, the members of the Grand Prairie Water Commission have agreed to a friendly wager amongst themselves to see which community can rank the best in this challenge. In addition to Joliet, Grand Prairie Water Commission member communities include Channahon, Crest Hill, Minooka, Romeoville, and Shorewood.
Romeoville Mayor John Noak, said, “Conservation of water is a key priority in Romeoville, “We are replacing water mains, hunting for and fixing leaks in our lines, and lining sewer mains as part of a multi-year program to greatly reduce water that escapes our system. Encouraging residents to use water in a more efficient way compliments our goal. I support the Wyland Water Conservation and hope every Romeoville resident can incorporate a few water conservation practices into their daily routines.”
The National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is presented by the Wyland Foundation, with support from the U.S. EPA WaterSense, The Toro Company, Zenni Optical, and the National League of Cities.
About the Wyland Foundation
Founded in 1993, the Wyland Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s ocean, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through community events, education programs, and public art projects. www.wylandfoundation.org
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.
