KOHLER, Wis. – April 25, 2012 – With the nation facing $1 trillion in water infrastructure improvements in the next 20 years, a group of federal, non-profit, and local organizations are asking mayors across the nation to compete this month to see who can inspire the most residents in their cities to become the most "water wise."

“Accessibility to potable water is a real issue in many areas of our world,” says Tim O’Connor, STERLING brand director. “The Mayor’s Challenge is a great way to spread the word about conserving water and we are excited to be a part of this program.”

The mayors earn bragging rights about winning the Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, a non-profit competition, March 30-April 30, to see which leaders can best inspire their residents to make a series of informative, easy-to-use online pledges aimed at drastically slashing water and energy use across the nation — and in return residents can win a Grand Prize Toyota Prius Hybrid, Sterling water-saving toilets, and hundreds of other prizes. The program is in support of the 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act.

“The mayor's challenge gives communities a way to come together for one very important reason — the future of our planet,” says famed marine artist Wyland, who piloted the Mayor’s Challenge concept to more than 200 South Florida and Southern California cities in 2009 and 2011. “We see mayors making gentleman's bets over who will win college football games. Here's a way for them to take on an even more important challenge in a friendly, competitive way.”

National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation
With support from Toyota, US EPA, US Forest Service, NOAA, National Geographic Explorer in Residence Dr. Sylvia Earle, and EPA WaterSense partners WaterPik, Rainbird, and Sterling Plumbing, mayors nationwide are encouraged to challenge their residents to conserve water, save energy, and reduce pollution on behalf of their city at www.mywaterpledge.com/national throughout the month of April. The cities of Los Angeles, Honolulu, Redondo Beach, and Honolulu were among the first to accept the challenge. Other mayors are following suit by issuing council resolutions, creating steering committees, and using the city’s “highest” seat to urge their residents to save water, energy, and reduce pollution.

Cities will be divided into four regions (West, Midwest, South and Northeast) and categorized by population (5,000-30,000 residents, 30,001-100,000 residents, 100,000+ residents). Cities with the highest percentage of residents who take the challenge win. Participants in the winning cities will be eligible to win over $50,000 in prizes, including a Toyota Prius Hybrid, custom-designed sprinkler systems from Rainbird, Eco-Flow Showerheads from WaterPik, Sterling water-saving toilets, and hundreds of gift cards from Lowe's. Residents will also discover resources in their area to take their commitment of conservation even further, from regional water and energy resource issues to cost-saving tips at home.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Mayor's can participate by signing online letter of support. For information, cities can call 949 643-7070 and request participation information.

About Sterling
Sterling is a division of Kohler Co. and partners with trade professionals and do-it-yourself homeowners by providing kitchen and bath products that exemplify exceptional value, enduring design and functional innovation. STERLING products include bathing and showering fixtures, kitchen sinks and lavatories made from exclusive Vikrell® material; stainless steel sinks; shower doors, and vitreous china toilets and lavatories.

About the Wyland Foundation
Founded in 1993 by environmental artist Wyland (best known for his series of 100 monumental marine life murals), the Wyland Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is actively engaged in teaching millions of students around the county about our ocean, rivers, lakes streams, and wetlands. The foundation's latest project, FOCUS (Forests, Oceans, Climate – and us) brings together the U.S. Forest Service, NOAA, and numerous non-profits to teach young people about the future of our water supplies, climate, and global health. www.wylandfoundation.org