Poster Contest
2026 - 2027 Poster Contest Theme is: "Being Water Wise is..."
Each year, EMWD sponsors a poster contest for students in grades TK-8. The winning students, as well as their teachers, are honored at an awards ceremonies hosted by EMWD. Of the winning posters, the top five are submitted to The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) for consideration for a possible spot on the Being Water Wise Is… calendar.
For more information, please contact EMWD’s Education team at 951-928-3777, ext. 4350 or email the Education team.
Contest Guidelines
Open to Grades TK-8.
Students must attend a school that is within EMWD service area.
Students must use official poster paper.
All artwork must be original artwork. NO computer, trademark or copyrighted artwork will be accepted.
Posters duplicating the artwork of past winners will be disqualified.
Submitting more than one entry per class will disqualify all entries from that teacher.
At least one winner will be selected per school district.
Encourage students to focus on water conservation. For example, use water wise landscape (bees love it!) or, when brushing their teeth, students should turn the water off instead of leaving it on. Please review 100+ Ways to Conserve Water.
Posters must be drawn horizontally within the border of the official poster paper.
For design purposes, any writing or artwork in the 1” border area disqualifies the poster.
Students should use BOLD, BRIGHT and BRILLIANT colors using colored pencils, markers, paint, ink, fabric, cut paper, pencil and/or watercolors. Crayons are not recommended. If students elect to use crayons, we request that they select dark colors as the lighter colors do not show up well for reproduction purposes.
A short message about water MUST be written on the poster within the border. Be concise, fewer words are better than more.
Artwork becomes the property of EMWD and may not be returned.
Select ONE winning poster from your class and submit to your school front office before the deadline.
EMWD will pick up winning posters from school front office.
Winners will be notified and more details will be provided at that time.
Judging Criteria
Theme – expression and written message
Originality - artwork must be created solely by student
Creativity
Neatness
Artistic execution
Poster Contest Flyer 2026 - 2027.pdfImportant Dates
Contest for the 2026-27 Year is Open!
Deadline to order official paper: 9/12/2026 by 4:00 p.m.
Paper will be delivered to your school the week of 9/28/2026.
Deadline to have your class winning poster to your front office: 11/16/2026. It's important to have your poster staged at your front office by this date so you do not miss the EMWD delivery pick up that will be the following week. EMWD delivery service picks up at multiple schools throughout EMWD's service area and therefore we cannot determine the exact date or time the delivery service will be at your school for pick up.
EMWD delivery service will be picking up winning posters at school front offices 11/19/2026 and 11/20/2026. Please note that EMWD delivery service will make one stop per school, if your poster was not at the front office at the time the delivery service comes for pick up, they will not return for a second pick up. If you miss your pick up, it will then be your responsibility to deliver your poster to EMWD before EOD 11/23/2026 to be eligible to participate in the contest.
Prizes to winners will be distributed at a recognition event in Spring 2027. Winners will be advised of exact date and location.
Winners From Previous Years
Winners of the 2023 Poster Contest
Winners of the 2022 Poster Contest
2024 Poster Contest Winners.pptx 2025-2026 Poster Contest Winners