Laguna Defends its Water Wise Title

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For the second year in a row, more Laguna Beach residents pledged to conserve water, save energy, and cut pollution than in other small towns also taking part in a national contest aimed at curbing water and energy use across the nation.

The Wyland Foundation and Toyota on May 3 announced the winning cities of the 2013 National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, an online competition held throughout April. “It was a close race right up until the last day,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Kelly Boyd. “Hermosa Beach residents really gave us a run for the money. It’s great to see that residents in both cities understand the importance of water being such a valuable resource and protecting our environment.”

Separated into five population categories, the winning cities are Denver; Tucson, Ariz.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Bremerton, Wash.; and Laguna Beach. Residents in all 50 states made more than 44,000 online pledges to conserve at home, in the yard and in their community, potential cost savings of more than $30.6 million, said a statement from the Laguna Beach County Water District, which serves 22,000 residents.

Artist Wyland, founder of the Wyland Foundation, created the water challenge with Toyota and other entities in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the federal law protecting water resources in the United States.

“We had two goals for the National Mayor’s Challenge,” said Wyland. “It brings communities together and gets people thinking about simple ways to take their commitment to conservation even further.”

Laguna Beach residents, along with residents from the other winning cities, are now eligible to win more than $50,000 in prizes, including a Toyota Prius, Rain Birdsprinkler systems, WaterPik showerheads, water-saving Sterling toilets and gift cards for Lowe’s stores.

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