Encinitans again challenged to join water-conservation competition

Ready for a challenge?

Encinitas is taking part in the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. All throughout April, residents are being asked to participate by visiting www.mywaterpledge.com. There, they can promise to take shorter showers, fix leaky faucets, landscape with climate-appropriate plants and take up other conservation measures.

“The challenge encourages residents to conserve water, energy and other natural resources on behalf of their city through a series of informative, easy-to-use online pledges,” according a recent Encinitas City Council agenda report.

With five population categories in the contest, cities win by having the highest percentage of residents taking the challenge. Residents in winning cities are entered into drawings for eco-friendly prizes, like home improvement gift cards and the grand prize, a Toyota Prius.

This is the third year Encinitas has participated in the challenge. The city finished second in the nation in 2013 and fourth in 2014 in the 30,000 to 99,999 population category.

The contest has gained more attention over the years as California’s drought worsens.

On April 1, Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order directing the State Water Resources Control Board to impose a 25 percent reduction on the state’s 400 local water agencies.