WateReuse Association Launches Lone Star Recycled Water Contest For K12 Students
Cash and Prizes for Winning Entries in Art and Writing
The WateReuse Association and its state affiliate, WateReuse Texas, this week, launched a student art and writing contest to raise awareness about the importance of recycled water among K12 students in the Austin metropolitan area. To win, students must submit original artwork or writing based on a selected theme for their grade level. The theme for elementary school students is how nature recycles water and the theme for middle and high school students is the general topic of recycled water.
“All water is recycled,” said Patricia Sinicropi, Executive Director of the WateReuse Association. “The water cycle is nature’s way of recycling water. This contest is an opportunity for students to learn about and showcase how technology can accelerate the natural process to help produce recycled water when it is needed.”
The deadline to submit entries for the contest is July 31, 2018. One student in each category and grade level will win cash or prizes for the winning entry. Winners will be recognized at the 33rd Annual WateReuse Symposium on September 10, 2016 in Austin, Texas.
Recycled water is also referred to as reclaimed water. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality defines reclaimed water as “treated wastewater that is safe and suitable for a purpose that would use other water resources.” In addition to wastewater, other sources for reclaimed water could be saltwater, stormwater and/or gray water. In Texas, recycled water can be used for landscape and crop irrigation, fire protection, and cooling power plants that generate electricity for homes and businesses. El Paso is developing an advanced purification system that will produce high-quality drinking water from reclaimed water, and currently operates a state-of-the-art desalination plant.
“Texas is a national leader in the use of reclaimed water,” said Tom Taggart, Past President of WateReuse Texas. “It’s important to educate each generation on the importance of protecting our water quality and water supplies.”
Students interested in submitting contest entries are encouraged to visit the Lone Star Recycled Water Contest website for details on how to submit their work.
About WateReuse Association
The WateReuse Association is the nation’s only trade association dedicated solely to advancing laws, policy, funding and public acceptance of water reuse. The national organization has chapters in 10 states, including Texas.
Source: The WateReuse Association