Mesa Celebrates Wyland National Water Conservation Win

October 13, 2025

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, Mayor Mark Freeman joined Wyland Foundation President and CEO Steve Creech at Kerr Center for Agriscience. They gathered to honor Mesa’s big win in the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.

Mesa earned first place in the 300,000–599,999 population category. It was one of five cities nationwide recognized. This recognition was for achieving the highest percentage of residents making water-saving pledges during the month-long April challenge. Other top-ranking cities, based on their population categories, included Laguna Beach, California; Union City, New Jersey; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Columbus, Ohio.

A Celebration with Students

As part of the event, Kerr Center for Agriscience, a K–6 Mesa Public School, received 100 pairs of Zenni EcoBloomz™ sustainable glasses. These were presented to fourth-grade students by Mayor Freeman and Mr. Creech. Wayne Drop, the Water – Use It Wisely mascot, also made a surprise appearance. He brought plenty of smiles while helping hand out the glasses.

Mayor Freeman read a book about the water cycle. He also spoke with students about why water matters in the desert:

“I value every opportunity to speak with students about the importance of water and what they can do to make a difference,” said Mayor Freeman. “These conversations are about inspiring the next generation to understand how responsible water stewardship shapes the future of our communities.”

Residents Making a Difference

Mesa’s participation in the challenge wasn’t just symbolic. Residents who took the pledge collectively committed to saving more than 22 million gallons of water over the next year by making small but meaningful changes — fixing leaks, choosing drought-tolerant plants, preventing runoff, and more.

One lucky Mesa resident, Faith B., was randomly selected to win a $3,000 prize toward her utility bills. Faith joined the celebration at Kerr to accept her award and shared why pledging was so meaningful to her and her family.

Why It Matters

“The Mayor’s Challenge has always been about finding ways to bring entire communities together around an issue that is both deeply important and, too often, invisible in our daily lives — the water we depend on,” said Wyland Foundation President Steve Creech.

“When mayors and their communities come together to take the water pledge, the effort goes far beyond saving gallons. A campaign like the Wyland Pledge strengthens understanding, builds shared purpose, and encourages residents to take ownership of their water future. By moving forward together, the impact becomes immediate and lasting.”

About the Challenge

The Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is the nation’s largest water conservation initiative, founded by the Wyland Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The Toro Company, National League of Cities, ZENNI Optical EcoBloomz Collection, and CBS Los Angeles. Each April, mayors encourage their residents to pledge simple water-saving actions that add up to a big collective impact.

Learn more at mywaterpledge.com.

Mesa’s Commitment to Conservation

The City of Mesa has participated in the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation since 2014. While Mesa has consistently placed in the top five, this year marks the first time the city has taken the top spot in its population category — a milestone achievement for our community.

Mesa actively pursues innovative infrastructure and environmental projects, such as the Central Mesa Reuse Pipeline, a Food Waste to Energy Initiative, and a range of water conservation initiatives, including incentives for xeriscaping, landscape watering guidelines, water management programs for HOAs, and public education campaigns to help residents use water wisely in the desert environment. By working together, Mesa is building a sustainable future — one drop at a time. 💧

Learn more about Mesa’s water conservation programs at mesaaz.gov/conservation.

Stacy Bass is a Marketing and Communications Specialist, and Donna DiFrancesco is a Conservation Coordinator with the City of Mesa, Arizona. Mesa is one of 22 Water – Use It Wisely partners offering water-saving advice and programs. The City of Mesa founded the Water – Use It Wisely campaign in 1999 which quickly grew into a regional partnership. Mesa continues to serve as creative lead and brand owner of the campaign.