MAYOR’S Moment

Mayor Bailey talks water conservation in April Mayor’s Moment

“Minnesota has 10,000 lakes, but with so many water resources available to us for drinking, recreation, and everyday life, it is easy to forget why we need to conserve our water resources,” Mayor Myron Bailey shares in the most recent Mayor’s Moment on YouTube. Taking the Mayor’s challenge with others across the nation , Bailey is calling on residents to conserve water this month of April.

For those who may need a reason besides the environment, there are potential prizes involved.

By heading on over to www.mywaterpledge.com and taking a simple pledge, residents have the chance to win $3,000 towards their utility bill, store gift cards, and more.

Billed as “a friendly competition between cities across the U.S. to see who can be the most ‘water-wise,’” Cottage Grove is currently ranked at 137th for its population category in the challenge, while Eden Prairie to the west is ranked 2nd.

Lest one feel a bit discouraged and without hope, another Minnesota city is ranked in the “500+” range for standing.

Taking the pledge at mywaterpledge. com, meanwhile, is as easy as clicking a mouse. Just click “Take the Pledge” at the aforementioned website and type in Cottage Grove, upon which you will be directed to take actions like repairing leaky faucets, pipes, and toilets, shortening shower time, washing only full loads of laundry and dishes, and powering down to save electricity, as a partial example of what the water conserving pledge entails.

A lot remains to be done with regard to conserving resources, both locally and across the nation, but Mayor Bailey is asking residents to make a start.

“Take the water Pledge with me, and let’s show other city’s around the nation how Cottage Grove takes care of the planet,” Bailey says, then signing off.