‘Love Your Water’ Campaign Embraces Region’s Most Precious Natural Resource
February 12, 2013
Today – Valentine’s Day – the San Diego County Water Authority kicks off its second annual smartphone photo contest designed…
Today – Valentine’s Day – the San Diego County Water Authority kicks off its second annual smartphone photo contest designed to showcase how people cherish the region’s most precious natural resource. It’s a more important topic than ever this year as dry conditions statewide have heightened awareness about water supplies and the need to use water efficiently.
By sharing a smartphone photo of water they love – or w
ays they love water – participants become eligible to win a grand prize package that includes a romantic getaway at the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter and a gift certificate to Lou & Mickey’s steak and seafood restaurant in the Gaslamp. Grand prize winners also will each receive an annual family membership to The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon, along with two passes to the garden’s Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion and 25 percent off one item in the garden’s gift shop (excluding books).
In addition, four runners up each will win a gift certificate to an outstanding local restaurant – Cueva Bar, Third Corner Wine Shop and Bistro, Muzita Bistro or Soltan Banoo. The first 50 participants will receive two passes to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park that include admission to an IMAX film. All prizes were generously donated to the Water Authority. The Love Your Water campaign runs through World Water Day on March 22, a day recognized around the globe to highlight the value of water and the challenges of providing it to a growing population.
“The severity of California’s drought emphasizes just how critical water is to our lives and how serious we need to be about using it wisely,” said Jason Foster, director of Public Outreach and Conservation for the Water Authority. “This contest provides a creative way for people to show how much they care about water – whether it’s the water they need to brush their teeth, grow tomatoes or make the beer at their favorite brewery."
Contest participants may post up to five photos on the San Diego County Water Authority’s Facebook page. Once the Water Authority determines photos meet contest rules, they will appear on the page. Viewers can vote for their favorites with the “like” button.
“We encourage people to post photos early and encourage their friends and family to ‘like’ their submissions and increase their chances of winning,” Foster said.
One grand prize winner will be determined by the most Facebook “likes,” and the other will be selected by a panel of Water Authority Board members and staff based on the creativity of the photo, composition and how well it connects to the theme. Runners up also will be selected by the Water Authority.
Love Your Water entries must be shot, edited and posted entirely from a smartphone. Images can depict water in San Diego County or elsewhere. Participants must be 18 or older. The use of filters is acceptable. Full contest rules are at www.sdcwa.org/love-your-water-photo-contest.
Winners will be announced on Facebook and Twitter the week of March 24.