Atlanta Daily World

Mayor Kasim Reed Urges Atlantans To Take Water Conservation Pledge

Mayor Kasim Reed is urging Atlantans to participate in a nationwide conservation competition by signing an online pledge to save water, energy and money. As part of the Wyland Foundation's National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, residents are encouraged to commit at www.mywaterpledge.com beginning April 1 and show their support for Mayor Reed's goal of making Atlanta a top-tier city for sustainability.
With support from Toyota, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, mayors nationwide challenge their residents to conserve water, energy, and other natural resources on behalf of their city through a series of informative, easy-to-use online pledges. The competition, in its second year, is a friendly, community-based competition between cities across the nation to see who can be the most "water wise." Atlanta will compete with other cities of 300,000 to 600,000 residents. Last year, the challenge awarded more than $50,000 to 1,200 individuals in cities across the country. Residents taking the pledge are eligible for more than 1,000 prizes, including water-saving products and a Toyota Prius.

"Atlanta is committed to conserving our resources and to the mission of sustainability that is inherent in this pledge," said Mayor Reed. "I will take the pledge myself, and I encourage Atlantans to do so as well. As a City that has spent billions of dollars to overhaul an aging water and sewer infrastructure, Atlanta is keenly aware of the critical nature of our systems and the responsibility to protect our water sources. We take this pledge for both environmental and financial reasons. Conservation doesn't just save water; it also saves money."

As part of the Mayor's Challenge, the Wyland Foundation's Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience will visit William H. Boyd Elementary School on March 14. Jo Ann Macrina, Commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management and Denise Quarles, Director of the Mayor's Office of Sustainability will welcome the 18-wheel educational vehicle and talk about conservation and sustainability with students.

"Saving water and energy are practical as well as smart," said Quarles. "By accepting this challenge, Atlantans can set a good example for Georgia and the rest of the country. We can show our neighbors that we are acutely aware of our responsibility to conserve energy, but also water for agricultural irrigation, energy production and recreation for millions of Georgians."

"I urge every Atlantan to follow the Mayor's example and make a few small changes that pay huge dividends in resource protection," said Commissioner Macrina. "The challenge is a perfect opportunity to streamline our lifestyles in these areas and showcase Atlanta as a premier city for sustainable living."