Mayor Morán and the City of Reading join a national campaign to promote smart water use and pollution reduction.
READING – Mayor Eddie Morán is joining mayors across the country, asking residents to make a long-term commitment to reduce pollution and manage water resources more wisely.
The annual challenge runs from Friday, April 1st through Wednesday, April 30th. The non-profit national community service campaign encourages leaders to inspire residents to make a series of simple pledges to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy. Residents can visit mywaterpledge.com to register and find more information on participating. The program was started ten years ago by a handful of mayors looking for alternative ways to engage and educate their residents about current and future water challenges facing the United States.
As an incentive, the campaign offers residents the opportunity to win $3,000 toward their home utility payments, water-saving fixtures, and hundreds of other prizes. In addition, one lucky charity from the winning city will receive a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to help serve the community.
“The City of Reading is committed to leading sustainable living and resource conservation efforts,” said Mayor Morán. “We live in an amazing city, full of incredible natural resources, and because we are a water-rich community, we have a significant responsibility to care for our water resources. Our participation renews my commitment to sustainability for our city and future generations.”
Last year, residents from over 2,000 cities in all 50 states pledged to reduce their annual freshwater consumption by over 3 billion gallons. Residents pledged to reduce waste sent to landfills by 80 million pounds and prevented hundreds of thousands of pounds of hazardous waste from entering our watersheds. This challenge goes beyond short-term issues and looks at how our water use will affect the future of our communities — from how we manage our coasts, lakes, and rivers to reducing polluted runoff.
“I invite everyone in our community to participate!” added Mayor Morán. “Take the pledge, join a community clean-up, plant a tree or start a garden, and join us for Earth Day and Water Week. We all have a part to play, and everyone’s effort, as small as it may seem, adds up.”
To participate, residents can go to mywaterpledge.com and register to pledge their commitment to conserving water on behalf of Reading. Students and teachers are encouraged to take part, as well. Participating cities are categorized by population (5,000- 29,999 residents, 30,000-99,999 residents, 100,000-299,999 residents, 300,000-599,999 residents, and 600,000+ residents). Cities with the highest percentage of residents who take the challenge have the opportunity to win $3,000 toward their home utility bills and many other eco-friendly prizes, including Toro Irrigation Smart Controllers, gift cards for Hobie Surf Shops, and more. Residents can also nominate a deserving charity from their city to receive a 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. To follow Reading’s standings throughout the month, visit mywaterpledge.com.
In support of the program, the Wyland Foundation also created a new digital tool called MyVolunteer Water Project that gives residents a unique way to do hands-on home, community, and workplace projects year-round to support their city’s sustainability efforts. The more projects residents do throughout the year, the better chance a city has of winning the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conversation in April.
The National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is presented by the Wyland Foundation, with support from Toyota, the U.S EPA WaterSense, The Toro Company, and the National League of Cities.
About the Wyland Foundation
Founded in 1993, the Wyland Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s oceans, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through community events, education programs, and public art projects. www.wylandfoundation.org
