Mayor O’Dekirk’s Campaign for Water Conservation

Mayor of Joliet, Bob O’Dekirk, is challenging community residents to make a long-term commitment to water conservation through the annual “Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.” This challenge was started by the Wyland Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s ocean, waterways and marine life. According to the foundation's website,wylandfoundation.org, the foundation encourages environmental awareness through community events, education programs and public art projects.

According to an article by the city of Joliet, “the annual challenge that takes place April 1 to 30, is a non-profit national community service campaign that encourages leaders to inspire their residents to make a series of simple pledges at mywaterpledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy. “

“Join me in taking the My Water Pledge this April. As part of our campaign to Rethink Water I encourage all residents to conserve water, energy and our natural resources,” said Mayor O’Dekirk.

To participate, residents can go to mywaterpledge.com, fill in your city name and proceed to make a series of online pledges to conserve water on behalf of Joliet. Cities compete in the following population categories:

• 5,000- 29,999 residents

• 30,000-99,999 residents

• 100,000-299,999 residents

• 300,000-599,999 residents

• 600,000+ residents

By participating residents have the opportunity to win $3,000 toward their home utility payments, water saving fixtures, and hundreds of other prizes.

Encouraging water conservation is as important now as ever as Joliet seeks a new water source due to the depletion of the existing groundwater supply. If you are interested in learning more about the search for a potential new water source for the city, you can read more about it here.