College Park residents participated for the second time in the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, an annual campaign that asks citizens across the nation to take an online pledge to save water.
“This area doesn’t as often think about water conservation, but water conservation is really good everywhere,” city Mayor Andy Fellows said. “It saves money and it’s good for the environment.”
The campaign, which took place through April, or Earth Month, invites mayors nationwide to register their cities and ask their residents to take a series of pledges online.
Last year, this city finished 10th in the bracket for municipalities with 30,000 to 99,999 residents, said Steve Beavers, the city’s community development coordinator. As of yesterday, the city was ranked 17th in this year’s contest.
“Last year we did pretty well,” District 1 Councilman Fazlul Kabir said. “This year we are not doing bad, but we can do better.”
This is the fourth year Toyota and the Wyland Foundation presented the challenge and the second time College Park participated.
“Water conservation is one of the most important issues around the world, because obviously there’s no substitute for potable water,” said Bruce James, director of the university’s environmental science and policy program. “There are substitutes for energy, substitutes for materials, but nothing can substitute for water.”
Whichever cities log the highest percentage of participating residents in their population categories win, and their residents are entered for prizes ranging from a Toyota Prius to home-improvement gift cards.
Last year, almost 1,000 people nationwide received more than $50,000 worth of prizes, according to the campaign’s website.
“Little things like that that directly engage people is a good way to get the word out,” said Cat Baker, a junior environmental science and policy major. “Scaring people isn’t always the best option, but if you put a happy spin on it, like winning a prize, they’re more likely to respond.”
However, Baker said she had not heard of the campaign, which encourages consumers to use less water and energy to shrink their bills, reduce infrastructure costs for cities, improve drought resilience and protect ecosystems, according to its website.
While the city publicized this year’s challenge via email, Fellows said he plans to reach out to the Student Government Association before next year’s competition and make a greater push through social media.
“I think the best way to communicate with students is through social media,” James said. “There are certain things the city could have done with Twitter or Instagram that would get the attention of the student body around here.”
It also educates participants about resources in their area as motivation to increase their commitment even more, according to the website.
“Though Maryland is not short on water now, it could be in the future,” James said. “The idea of being conservative with water is a great idea no matter where you are.”
