Berkeley's 'First Couple' Issues a Tough Water-Saving Challenge

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates has announced a citywide water conservation challenge with the chance for Berkeley residents to win “fame, appreciation, and a free lunch,” the latter with him and his wife, state Sen. Loni Hancock.

Bates and Hancock issued what they're calling the Bates-Hancock Water Conservation Challenge on Monday. The contest pits Berkeleyan against Berkeleyan in a race to see who can reduce their water usage the most in a two-month billing cycle.

But the challenge might be a little harder than it looks. To win, you have to beat the water conservation numbers posted by Berkeley's First Household.

Bates and Hancock disclosed their own personal water bill, which shows that in the latest billing period they have reduced their water usage by 68.1 percent over the base year we're all being measured against, 2013. The couple's statement from East Bay MUD shows them using 37 gallons a day for the billing period from April 10 to June 9. They used 116 gallons a day for the comparable period in 2013.

Speaking to Berkeleyside Monday, Bates said the conservation competition “could be a good thing” to raise people’s awareness about how their own actions can significantly affect California’s devastating drought.

“The idea was to keep the issue of water conservation on people’s minds,” he said. “Hopefully people can break our record!”

“The drought represents a growing emergency,” Hancock said in a statement published in Mayor Bates’ regular Update newsletter. “Each individual can play an important role in addressing it.”

The challenge deadline is July 10, with winners recognized at Council’s July 14 meeting, and is open to Berkeley residents and elected officials residing in the East Bay MUD service area.

How to enter: If your water bill shows you have reduced your daily water use by more than 68.1 percent during the last completed billing cycle, email mayor@cityofberkeley.info and show them a copy of your bill. (To calculate your reduction percentage, subtract the most recent gallons per day amount from the 2013 gallons per day amount, then divide the remainder by the 2013 gallons per day amount and multiply by 100.)

You’ll be recognized at an upcoming Berkeley City Council meeting by Mayor Bates, have a permanent recognition in the City Council records, and, if you are the largest water reducer out of all the entries, you’ll win a free lunch with Bates and Hancock.

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