Arlington Water Utilities is taking part in the national observance of Imagine a Day Without Water on Oct. 17 by announcing the winners of the 2024 Value of Water Mini Poster Contest. The annual competition drew 365 entries during September and October. A team of judges chose one winner in grades pre-k through fourth grade.

The winning entries illustrated water’s many uses, including for dental hygiene and fun activities like water balloon fights. They also showed how water is essential for Arlington residents and the wildlife in our city.

The annual contest is made possible through the collaboration of Arlington Water Utilities, Arlington Public Library, River Legacy Nature Center, and Tarrant Regional Water District. The competition is timed to draw attention to the national Imagine a Day Without Water campaign, which challenges the public to ponder the valuable role water plays.

In addition to their artwork, students were asked to describe their drawings and why water is important to them. This year winning entries came from the following students.

Pre-K – Scarlet S. - Homeschool

Water is important “because we have to have water to go swimming. I like going swimming in the pool.”

Kindergarten – Troy A. - Wood Elementary (AISD)

“Drinking water – it makes me stronger.”

First grade – Nathalie – Wimbish World Language Academy (AISD)

“If you do not drink water you will die. Water is important. It helps plants grow and keeps animals healthy.”

Second grade – Vivian – Little Elementary (AISD)

“If we didn’t have water we wouldn’t have trees. If we didn’t have trees, we wouldn’t have air. If we didn’t have air we couldn’t survive. I love water. You should too.”

Third grade – Jameson T. - Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School

“Without water there would be no fish. No water in our body, so we’d die. No cruises … no water slides, water balloon fights. You can’t wash your hands, take showers, no gas. You can’t water your plants or slip-n-slides.”

Fourth grade – Kavish G. – Butler Elementary (AISD)

“Water is important in my life because if we didn’t have water we wouldn’t have our basic needs.”

Each grade level winner will receive a STEAM kit, a family four-pack of pool passes from the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department, and water-themed books. Pre-kindergarten through second-grade winners will also receive four passes to Bug Squad, a traveling exhibit at River Legacy Nature Center.

Third-graders and fourth-graders will be able to schedule a multi-age program led by a naturalist at River Legacy Nature Center.

To learn more about other water education opportunities for Tarrant County students, please visit SaveTarrantWater.com/youth.