Water Utility

The City of Madison is one of 12 cities to win this year's National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, an online competition to encourage residents nationwide to conserve water, save energy, and reduce pollution. The challenge is sponsored by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota, in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the primary federal law protecting water resources in the U.S.

The challenge divides cities into regions and encourages residents to compete by making online pledges to reduce water use. Madison Mayor Paul Soglin attributes the city's success to its conservation efforts including promoting sustainability and water conservation through such programs as the Water Utility's toilet rebate.

The winning cities are Laguna Beach, California; Victoria, Minnesota; South Shore, Kentucky; Charlestown, New Hampshire; Manhattan Beach, California; Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Fort Pierce, Florida; Quakertown, Pennsylvania; Greeley, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Charlottesville, Virginia; and Toms River, New Jersey.

Other organizations spearheading the effort also include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and a number of water supply companies.

The challenge divided cities into four regions and categorized them by population. Cities with the highest percentage of residents who made online pledges at www.mywaterpledge.com to reduce their water use were recognized as the winners.

Participants in the winning cities will now be entered into a drawing to win more than $50,000 in prizes.