OTAY WATER DISTRICT OFFERING ART CONTEST FOR KIDS

The Otay Water District is looking for young artists to enter its annual “Water is Life” poster contest for students who live in the district’s service area.

Students from kindergarten through 12th grade can win prizes for depicting the importance of water through original illustrations on posters.

The district will select six winners based on the theme, originality, and visual and word clarity. Otay will also enter those works of art into a second contest held for water agencies throughout Southern California run by the Metropolitan Water District.

Metropolitan will select from among the best artwork around the county through other contests to feature in its 2022 “Water is Life” calendar, a traveling art show and graphic art materials.

Later this summer, Otay will recognize the winners at a monthly board of directors meeting. Winning art may also be featured in promotional materials.

Otay’s contest features three categories: elementary school, middle school and high school. First- and second-place winners from each category will win a gift card ranging from $50 to $75, will get a certificate, an art kit and a water-related goodie bag, district officials said.

Deadline to enter is Friday, June 18.

The district says water conservation or stewardship should be reflected in the artwork. Hard-copy or electronic entries are eligible, but participants must follow the contest guidelines and rules, which are listed at otaywater.gov/poster-contest.

The Otay Water District provides water, recycled water and sewer service to nearly 226,000 customers inside about 125 square miles of southeastern San Diego County, including the communities of eastern Chula Vista, Bonita, Jamul, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, unincorporated areas of El Cajon and La Mesa, and eastern Otay Mesa.