Joliet, Illinois is rallying its residents to join in a national effort to promote smarter water use this April. The city's Mayor, Terry D'Arcy, is aligning with mayors across the country in urging citizens to reduce pollution and manage water resources more efficiently by participating in the annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.
Running from April 1 to April 30, this community service campaign invites residents to make water-saving commitments online at mywaterpledge.com. These efforts are designed to encourage efficient water use, reduce pollution, and save energy. The Wyland Foundation, which started the program, has been instrumental in bringing together numerous cities to promote environmental stewardship.
Allison Swisher, Director of Public Utilities, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Water conservation is vital to our city’s sustainability. 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 campaigns, over 2,000 participating cities have pledged to save over a billion gallons of freshwater annually, reduce landfill waste by 35 million pounds, and keep nearly 100,000 pounds of hazardous waste from contaminating watersheds. The initiative highlights the significant effects of daily water habits on community efforts to protect coastal, lake, and river environments.
Mayor D'Arcy expressed his support by stating, “Participating in the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation offers a fantastic opportunity for everyone to engage in positive environmental actions. 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.”
Residents of Joliet can engage with the challenge by making a series of online pledges to conserve water. As part of a competitive aspect, Joliet, in the 100,000-299,999 resident category, will vie with other cities where the community with the highest pledge participation rate can win eco-friendly prizes, such as $3,000 toward home utility bills and water-saving fixtures.
The competition is made more interesting as the Grand Prairie Water Commission, which includes Joliet, Channahon, Crest Hill, Minooka, Romeoville, and Shorewood, has agreed to a friendly internal contest to see which community performs best.
The National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is organized by the Wyland Foundation, with support from entities including the U.S. EPA WaterSense, The Toro Company, Zenni Optical, and the National League of Cities.
For those interested in learning more about Joliet’s water initiatives, including the Alternative Water Source Program, information can be found at www.RethinkWaterJoliet.org. The foundation encourages community involvement through educational programs and events since its inception in 1993, aiming to protect oceans and waterways globally. More details can also be found at www.wylandfoundation.org.
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