Hillsborough Township Mayor Doug Tomson is joining mayors across the country in asking residents to make a long-term commitment to manage water resources more wisely by taking part in the annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.
The annual challenge is a non-profit national community service campaign that encourages leaders to inspire their residents to make a series of simple pledges to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution and save energy.
“Water conservation is critical for a sustainable future of Hillsborough and we remain dedicated to the supportive efforts for further education and awareness of such initiatives. Last year, Hillsborough Township placed No. 1 in New Jersey for our population range, and 31st in the nation,” Tomson said in a statement provided by the township.
That equated to more than 2,000 pledges to save over 8.5 million gallons of water. Collectively in 2019, residents across all 50 U.S. states pledged to reduce their annual consumption of freshwater by 3 billion gallons, reduce waste sent to landfills by 80 million pounds, and prevent more than 179,000 pounds of hazardous waste from entering watersheds, according to the statement.
The challenge goes beyond drought issues and looks at the ways our water use will affect the future of our communities, ranging from how we grow food to reducing polluted runoff.
“We are encouraging all residents and businesses to take the pledge, as well as to open the conversation for additional discussion on ideas for further conservation,” Tomson said in the statement.
The first step of the challenge, which runs Aug. 1-31, is to make the pledge. To participate, residents should visit mywaterpledge.com then make a series of online pledges to be “water-wise” on behalf of Hillsborough Township.
Students and teachers are encouraged to take part as well by visiting mywaterpledge.com/classroom-edition.
In addition to reaping the benefits of their conservation efforts, residents have the potential to win $3,000 toward their home utility payments, water saving fixtures, and hundreds of other prizes.
Cities compete in population categories and those with the highest percentage of residents taking the challenge in their category have a chance to win $3,000 toward their home utility bill and hundreds more eco-friendly prizes including Toro Irrigation Smart Controllers, ECOS home cleaning products and home water fixture retrofits from EcoSystems Inc.
Plus, this year one charity from a winning city will receive a prize 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to serve the community.
The 9th National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is presented by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota, with support from the U.S EPA WaterSense, The Toro Company, National League of Cities, Conserva Irrigation, EcoSystems Inc., and Earth Friendly Products (makers of ECOS).
For more information, visit www.wylandfoundation.org