National Mayor Water Challenge for Conservation: Every Drop Counts
Let’s get serious on the National Mayor Water Challenges for water conservation. Because it isn’t just a Western drought issue. It affects every community in America. Moreover, saving water can reduce energy use, lower utility bills and protect local infrastructure.
That’s why the National Mayor’s Water Challenge for Conservation matters.
Back in 2014, the challenge brought cities across the country together during Earth Month. The idea was simple. Mayors encouraged residents to make personal commitments to use less water. Meanwhile, communities competed to see which cities could generate the strongest participation.
The original campaign included support from organizations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, National League of Cities, Toyota and the Wyland Foundation. At the time, residents could pledge to save water, reduce energy use and cut waste. (The Green Living Guy)
However, the bigger message went far beyond a month-long competition.
Cities Can Lead the National Water Challenge Conservation Movement
Local governments sit on the front lines of water management.
Cities maintain water systems. They treat wastewater. In addition, they manage stormwater, public landscaping and infrastructure. Therefore, even relatively small improvements in efficiency can create significant savings across an entire community.
The original Mayor’s Challenge showed how local leadership could turn conservation into community action.
By 2014, residents from more than 1,000 cities had already participated during the challenge’s first two years. Mayors from cities including Atlanta, Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., had joined the effort. (The Green Living Guy)
That kind of participation matters because conservation works best when millions of individual actions add up.
America Still Uses a Lot of Water
The need for water efficiency hasn’t disappeared.
According to the EPA WaterSense program, the average American uses about 82 gallons of water every day at home. Moreover, water managers in at least 40 states expect some form of local, regional or statewide water shortage in the coming years. (US EPA)
Outdoor water use creates another challenge. Residential outdoor water consumption accounts for nearly 8 billion gallons every day nationwide, primarily for landscape irrigation. (US EPA)
Therefore, a National Mayor Water Challenge for conservation isn’t about telling people to stop using water.
It’s about using water smarter.
Saving Water Also Saves Energy
Here’s the connection people sometimes miss.
Water requires energy.
Utilities must pump it. They must treat it. Then they must deliver it to homes and businesses. Afterward, wastewater often requires additional pumping and treatment.
Meanwhile, homeowners use even more energy when they heat water for showers, sinks, dishwashers and washing machines.
The EPA’s water-saving guidance notes that significant energy goes into delivering, treating and heating the water Americans use every day. Consequently, reducing hot-water consumption can cut both water and energy use. (US EPA)
The U.S. Department of Energy also estimates that water heating represents nearly 20% of the average home’s energy use. Therefore, water efficiency can become energy efficiency almost immediately. (The Department of Energy’s Energy.gov)
That’s a win I can get behind.
Water-Efficient Technology Makes Conservation Easier
Fortunately, homeowners don’t need to completely change their lifestyles.
Technology can do much of the heavy lifting.
For example, EPA WaterSense-labeled products must use at least 20% less water while performing as well as or better than standard products. That includes faucets, showerheads, toilets and irrigation equipment. (US EPA)
Even better, the savings can become substantial.
WaterSense-labeled irrigation controllers can save a household up to 15,000 gallons of water annually, according to the EPA. In addition, efficient faucets and aerators can save hundreds of gallons each year. (US EPA)
Whole homes can go further.
EPA says WaterSense-labeled homes are at least 30% more water-efficient than typical new construction. Moreover, they can save a family 50,000 gallons of water or more each year while cutting combined water and energy bills by about $700 annually on average. (US EPA)
Now we’re talking about conservation that hits the wallet too.
Fix the Leaks First
Before buying anything, however, look for waste.
Leaks remain one of the easiest conservation problems to fix. According to EPA estimates, roughly 5% to 10% of U.S. homes have easy-to-fix leaks that can waste 90 gallons of water per day or more. (US EPA)
Therefore, check toilets. Inspect faucets. Look underneath sinks. In addition, inspect outdoor irrigation systems and connections.
A dripping faucet may not look dramatic. However, wasted water adds up every hour of every day.
Stopping the leak saves water immediately.
Smart Landscaping Can Make a Huge Difference
Next, look outside.
Lawns and landscaping can become some of the biggest water users around a home. However, homeowners can reduce that demand without turning every yard into a desert.
Native and climate-appropriate plants can require less supplemental watering. Mulch can also help soil retain moisture. Furthermore, properly designed irrigation systems can deliver water where plants actually need it.
Smart irrigation controllers take the idea even further. Instead of watering according to a rigid timer, newer systems can respond to weather or soil-moisture conditions.
As a result, your sprinkler doesn’t need to run simply because the clock says Tuesday morning.
That’s smart conservation.
The Mayor’s Challenge Proved Something Important
The original National Mayor’s Challenge turned a serious environmental issue into something accessible.
Residents made pledges. Cities competed. Mayors promoted conservation. In addition, participants could qualify for environmentally focused prizes, including a Toyota Prius c during the 2014 campaign. (The Green Living Guy)
However, the prize was never really the point.
The real prize was changing behavior.
Once someone starts checking for leaks, installing efficient fixtures or paying attention to outdoor watering, those habits can continue long after Earth Month ends.
That creates lasting impact.
Every Drop Really Does Count
Water conservation doesn’t require one massive solution.
Instead, it requires millions of smaller ones.
Fix the leaking toilet. Install the efficient showerhead. Adjust the irrigation system. Run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. Moreover, pay attention to how much hot water you use.
Cities can also lead by upgrading infrastructure, improving public irrigation systems and promoting water efficiency throughout their communities.
Most importantly, conservation saves more than water.
It can save energy. It can reduce household expenses. It can lower pressure on municipal infrastructure. Finally, it can help communities become more resilient as water demand continues to grow.
The National Mayor’s Challenge helped make that message simple.
Save water. Save energy. Save money. Protect the resources we all depend on.
Sources
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — WaterSense:
Learn about WaterSense and water-efficient products
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — WaterSense Homes:
See how water-efficient homes save water, energy and money
U.S. Department of Energy — Home Energy Upgrades:
Learn about water heating and household energy efficiency
By making a series of online pledges to save water, energy, and reduce waste, residents are entered into raffles that includes hundreds of eco-friendly prizes and a Toyota Prius c hybrid car.
Residents across the US can go to: www.MyWaterPledge.com where they can sign up and learn how to conserve water and energy.
