2020 National Mayor Challenge For Water Conservation In Moorpark

Press release from the City of Moorpark:

August 11, 2020

In the month of August, Moorpark is participating in a nationwide challenge to be “water wise.” Moorpark and communities across the country are asking residents to take part in the 9th annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. The annual challenge normally occurs in April (Earth Month) but was postponed this year until August (National Water Quality Month) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This non-profit national community service campaign encourages residents to make a series of simple pledges at mywaterpledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy. By making the pledge, residents could win $3,000 toward their Home Utility Payments, water saving fixtures, or hundreds of other prizes. Plus, a lucky charity from a winning city will receive a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to help serve the community.

In 2019, Moorpark joined the challenge at a ranking of #517 for cities with a population of 30,000 to 99,999. Ultimately, Moorpark residents rose to a rank of #199 when the challenge was complete at the end of April. This year Moorpark is striving to engage even more citizens to participate in the water challenge. Participating in the online activity involves making a series of simple pledges at mywaterpledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy.

The Challenge goes beyond drought issues and looks at the ways our water use will affect the future of our communities — from how we grow food to reducing polluted runoff. The online pledges illustrate how actions that seemingly have nothing to do with water, like saving electricity, recycling, and wasting less food, actually have a significant impact on water. Only 2 of the 17 pledges specifically reference water, and those are to run full loads of laundry and dishes and to take shorter showers.

Moorpark Mayor Janice Parvin stated: “Moorpark citizens are great stewards of the environment, and I know we can all rally together, take the pledge, and achieve a higher ranking this year as we all work to preserve our water supply.”

The 9th National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is presented by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota and in association with The Toro Company, EPA WaterSense, National League of Cities, Conserva Irrigation, and Earth Friendly Products (makers of ECOS). The Challenge encourages residents to follow their city’s progress throughout the month and to use that information to encourage friends, neighbors, businesses, and civic groups to get involved.

This press release was produced by the City of Moorpark. The views expressed here are the author’s own.