Otay Announces Student Poster Contest — Deadline May 8

Theme and Guidelines

• Posters should depict the theme of “being water wise is…” which relates to water conservation or stewardship, climate change impacts, or efficient water use at home, school, businesses, in the community, the environment, agriculture, or recreation. Example: turning off the water while brushing your teeth, taking short showers, protecting water from pollution, or collecting rainwater in buckets and reusing it to water plants.
• The entry form must be completed, signed, and submitted with each poster (click here to download).
• The contest is limited to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Students must be attending a school within the Otay Water District’s service area. To determine a school’s water district, enter the school’s address here – other water districts may be hosting a contest too!
• A brief water-related message must be written on the artwork (“Being water wise is…” is acceptable but it is not required). The less text, the better. Words must be spelled correctly.
• Artwork must be drawn on 12×18” or 8.5×11” white drawing paper (no lined-paper).
• Posters must be drawn horizontally (landscape orientation).
• Under/oversized artwork will not be eligible.
• Use crayons, paint, markers, ink, pencils, chalk, cut paper, fabric, digital notepads, or drawing tablets. Bright colors are best.
• Artwork must be original. Traced, AI/computer-generated, trademarked, or copyrighted images (i.e., Snoopy, SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer, etc.) will not be accepted. No repeat artwork from past years.
• All entries become the property of the Otay Water District and the Metropolitan Water District. Submissions may or may not be returned.
• The agencies have the right to use any selected poster for the Water is Life Student Art Calendar and for other public relations use.
• The District reserves the right to question or disqualify any artwork that is clearly not the student’s work based on their age and grade level.

How to Enter and Deadline

Email, mail, or drop off poster and entry form by Friday, May 8, 2026, 5 p.m.

• Mail or drop off submissions to:

Attn: Eileen Salmeron
Otay Water District
2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd.
Spring Valley, CA 91978

• Email digital submissions to:

esalmeron@otaywater.gov

Note: Selected digital submissions may be asked to submit the original artwork by mail or in person. Both printed and digital submissions are preferred.

Prizes

Submissions will be judged on the theme, originality, and visual and word clarity.

Based on the number of submissions received, the District may award first- and second-place winners in each category: elementary, middle, and high school.

1st Place: $75 gift card, certificate, art set, and water-related goody bag.
2nd Place: $50 gift card, certificate, art set, and water-related goody bag.

Winning submissions may be featured in the District’s newsletter, social media, website, and other promotional materials. Parents/guardians will be asked to fill out a photo release form to be featured in the promotional materials.

Through further competition, selected posters may be used as part of the Metropolitan Water District’s traveling art show, 2027 Student Art Calendar, and graphic art materials. Winners, parents, and teachers may be invited to a recognition ceremony. Attendance is optional.

Contact

For more information, contact Communications Assistant Eileen Salmeron at (619) 670-2255 or esalmeron@otaywater.gov.