Community Corner
Help Toms River Win Water Conservation Challenge
Toms River is competing in a national water conservation challenge and you could win a prize if you join in.
TOMS RIVER, NJ — As the weather starts to warm up and folks start running their lawn and garden sprinklers, Toms River residents are being urged to be sparing in their water usage.
That's because Toms River is taking part in a national contest to promote conservation and drastically slash water and energy use.
The Wyland Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, which runs through April 30, is a non-profit national community service campaign. Toms River residents are asked to sign a pledge to reduce water and energy use and towns with the highest number of residents who make a commitment are entered in a contest to win hundreds of environmentally friendly prizes.
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Wyland Foundation is giving away more than $50,000 in prizes like an all-new 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to a deserving charity in your town and $3,000 toward your home utilities.
"This contest challenges our residents to conserve water, save energy and reduce pollution by adopting water-saving habits such as taking shorter showers, running only full loads of dishes and laundry and fixing leaky water pipes," Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher said.
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Last year, residents from all 50 U.S. states pledged to reduce their annual consumption of freshwater by 2 billion gallons, reduce waste sent to landfills by 47 million pounds, and prevent more than 141,000 pounds of hazardous waste from entering watersheds.
In heavily populated states like New Jersey, the benefits of conservation are incalculable. By being mindful of water use, residents benefit not only New Jersey but the country as a whole.
You can sign the pledge to take part and reduce water consumption at mywaterpledge.com.
Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.