Joliet public utilities highlights quarterly water conservation incentive, launches 2025 pledge and kids’ contest

Allison Swisher, director of public utilities, presented the city’s water conservation incentive program at the Jan. 21 council meeting, announced the Q4 2024 winners and described the 2025 incentives.

Swisher said the program offers a $50 gift card each quarter to an adult and a child winner randomly selected from participants. She reported Q4 2024 had record participation with more than 85 adults and 27 children; the adult winner was Charles Martinson and the children’s winner was identified as Skyler. The city’s 2025 adult incentive is a pledge to check for household leaks; the utilities department will provide dye tablets for residents to test toilet leaks. For children, the program includes a coloring contest. Swisher also promoted the free customer water‑portal that lets residents monitor household water use, set alerts and track consumption to manage bills and detect problems early.

Why it matters

The outreach program aims to lower water usage and billing impacts by raising resident awareness and encouraging actions such as fixing running toilets and checking shut‑off valves. Swisher noted water bills are increasing to fund the alternative water source program and water main replacement fund, making usage awareness more important.

Next steps

The city will continue quarterly recognition of winners and has posted information at rethinkwater.joliet.org and on the city’s construction/utility pages. Residents can request dye tablets at city facilities and sign up for the water‑use portal for usage alerts.