Hometown Cherokee

The 2004 Clean Water Campaign/waterSmart Essay Contest

Details
To promote better water quality and conservation practices in the Atlanta area, the Clean Water Campaign and waterSmart are helping to kick off the new school year with an essay contest that explores the important issues of water quality and conservation.

Who is Eligible?
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth graders from Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale and Walton Counties.

How to Enter:
Essays may be submitted by email cleanwater@atlantaregional.com or by mail:

Water Essay Contest
40 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Deadline: Friday, October 8

Award Date: Thursday, October 21

About the Essay Contest:
What is the connection between water quality and water conservation?

Participants must submit a 300 to 500-word paper (typed) about how people can protect water quality and conserve at the same time. Teachers or administrators from any eligible school can select one student per grade level to represent their school in the contest. If a student is home schooled, then the student or parent can submit an entry independently to the address above.

The essays may address any of the following questions:

1. What are the most important messages concerning water pollution and conservation? What would you want the public to do to prevent water pollution and promote conservation?
2. What kind of plan would you create to further the protection and conservation of our water resources at home?
3. What would you want legislators to do about water quality and conservation? What concerns would you want to communicate to them?
4. What would our lives be like with very little water? Or with polluted, limited water resources? What are the benefits of protecting the quality and quantity of our water supply?
5. How would you begin making a difference in your community?
6. What is the best way to encourage Georgians to protect and save water?

Awards:
One student from each county will be selected and awarded a certificate for their essay. The top essay contest winner will be selected from the county winners and receive the grand prize - $100 Cash!

Judging: WaterSmart and the Clean Water Campaign use selected judges to review criteria based upon the relevance of the essay to the topic. The essays will be judged for their accuracy and creativity above writing skill level. Students should include discussion of both water quality and conservation. If submitted essays do not have complete name and contact information they will be disqualified.

The Clean Water Campaign is a cooperative, multi-agency public education initiative spearheaded by local governments in metro Atlanta, supported by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and managed by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Its mission is to build awareness of water quality problems and solutions in the 16-county District.
The waterSmart program was initiated by the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority to educate metro area residents about "state of the science" methods for conserving water while maintaining beautiful lawns and landscapes. waterSmart tips were developed in conjunction with the Georgia Water Wise Council and the Cobb County Extension Service.