Fairfax Water and Fairfax County Wastewater Management is working with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to sponsor this art contest with the theme of protecting the source water. “We feel like art is a unique and exciting way to be able to understand this source’s protection,” said Melissa Atwood with Fairfax County Wastewater Management.
The thought in the county’s water world is to treat this resource as “One Water,” similar to a county social effort of “One Fairfax.”
“Our drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater are all One Water, connected through our local waterways. To preserve water quality for future generations, it is important to understand where water comes from, how we use it, where it goes when it leaves our homes and businesses, and how it eventually becomes source water again,” they said.
On the One Water video the county produced, it said that “waste water, storm water and drinking water are all one water.” It then goes through the journey of the water through its various phases in streams, lakes, stormwater drains and the water pumping plant back to the house.
To preserve water quality for future generations, it is important to understand where water comes from, how we use it, where it goes when it leaves our homes and businesses, and how it eventually becomes source water again. “Art is a great way for students to learn about source water protection and creatively express what they’ve learned on the topic. The artwork that students create can be used to help spread the word about this important issue to the entire community,” said Fairfax Water.
The contest is open to high school students from 9-12 grade and can be entered in two categories: “Painting and Drawing” or “Photography and Digital Art.” The submitted piece should tell a clear and creative message about source water protection highlighting the connection between human actions on land impacting water quality, and the judges are looking for themes in the art. It should connect to local waterways, water recreation and the role of water utilities to protect our sources of water through environmental stewardship and responsible wastewater treatment.
Local winners will move on to the Regional Art Contest where they can win up $300 for the grand prize. The art teachers also get a prize when the grand prize winner is announced. There is a $150 honorable mention winner in each category.
To apply go to https://bit.ly/3e8kd3h and for contest questions, email pr@fairfaxwater.org.