Encinitas participating in water conservation challenge

Encinitas is once again taking part in the national Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.

Throughout April, residents can make water-saving promises at www.mywaterpledge.com. There, they can pledge to fix leaky faucets, put in low-water plants, take shorter showers and embrace other conservation measures.

The contest has five population categories, and cities win by having the highest percentage of residents who make pledges. Residents in winning cities are entered into drawings for eco-friendly prizes, such as irrigation equipment and the grand prize, a 2016 Toyota Prius.

As of April 11, Encinitas was in 10th place in the 30,000 to 99,999 population category.

This is the fourth year Encinitas has participated in the challenge, but the city has yet to capture the top spot in its category.

The contest has received quite a bit of attention in California due to the state’s ongoing drought and watering restrictions. Locally, residents are prohibited from watering their landscaping more than two days a week, for instance.

Last year, residents from 3,900 cities across the country pledged to reduce water use by 1.5 billion gallons.