Title
Water Conservation Month, the Mayor's Challenge Water Conservation Contest and Drop Savers Water Conservation Poster Contest (NB)
Explanation
Each year municipalities across the country declare April as Water Conservation month to promote awareness for water conservation and the importance of water as a vital natural resource. This is an opportunity to inform the public about our high-quality drinking water and the vital role drinking water plays in our daily lives. Citizens are asked to know their groundwater source and to conserve and protect this valuable natural resource for future generations.
The Mayor’s Challenge Water Conservation Contest:
The Wyland Foundation sponsors an annual national water conservation contest that encourages citizens to take a pledge to save water in their daily activities. This is a fun competition that promotes the importance of water conservation behavior. Help us beat Athens, Georgia, and the Georgia Bulldogs by pledging to conserve water at <https://www.mywaterpledge.com>.
Drop Savers Water Conservation Poster Contest:
To reach future generations and spread the water conservation message, the annual Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) Drop Savers Poster Contest is sponsored by GRU to help teach local youth about the importance of conserving our most valuable resource - water. Amazed by the creativity displayed by the participating students, the judges had a difficult time choosing this year’s winners.
Winners and honorable mentions were selected from each class division:
Winners:
Division 1: Aniya Robinson (1st Grade) - Boys & Girls Club
Division 2: Mackenzie Birrenkott (3rd Grade) - Ms. Teague’s class, JJ Finley Elementary
Division 3: Eli Wells (5th Grade) - Ms. Taylor’s class, Stephen Foster Elementary
Division 4: TBA
Division 5: Sophia DeLeon (12th Grade)-Ms. Paxson’s class, Gainesville High School
Honorable Mention
Division 2: Julia Goodrich (3rd Grade) - Ms. Anderson’s class, Stephen Foster Elementary
Division 3: Lillian Ho (5th Grade) - Ms. Taylor’s class, Stephen Foster Elementary
Division 4: TBA
Division 5: Rachel Worthy (11th Grade)-Ms. Paxson’s Class, Gainesville High School
In support and recognition of the winning poster contributors, GRU and FSAWWA are providing parties to the winning classes and recognizing the teachers involved in helping educate the students about the value of water conservation.
Fiscal Note
There will be no fiscal impact for the Mayor’s Proclamation or the Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Funds for the Drop Savers event were budgeted for Water Conservation Programs within Water & Wastewater Systems FY 2019 Operations & Maintenance Budget.
The fiscal impact is less than $1,000. The funds were budgeted in the Water & Wastewater Systems Operations & Maintenance Budget as part of the GRU water conservation education efforts to support our communities consumptive use permit.
Recommendation:
The City Commission
1) Join staff in recognizing the importance of Water Conservation Month.
2) Encourage citizens to pledge to conserve water at https://www.mywaterpledge.com