Arlington Water Utilities is turning the spotlight on the city’s most essential resource – water – by sponsoring a new art contest for young students. Starting Sep. 8, children in kindergarten through third grade who live in Arlington or attend an Arlington school can submit a poster that shows how water makes their dreams possible.
Contest details and theme
The competition, titled “A Dream in Every Drop,” asks participants to imagine a future where clean, reliable water is a given. Entries may be created with crayons, colored pencils, watercolors or acrylic paints. Submissions are accepted through Oct. 12, 2026. Each entry should include a separate sheet (or an email note) with the student’s name, grade, school and a parent or guardian’s contact information.
How to enter
Students can submit a clear photo or scan of their artwork to [email protected], or drop the original piece off at any Arlington Public Library branch, the River Legacy Nature Center, or the Arlington Water Utilities South Service Center by the deadline.
Prizes and recognition
One winner from each grade will be announced on the Arlington Water Utilities Facebook page on Oct. 15, coinciding with the national Imagine a Day Without Water Day (IADWW). Winners receive a VIP tour of the Arlington Water Treatment Plant, passes to the city’s public swimming pools, a water‑ or nature‑themed LEGO set, tickets to the Discovery Room at River Legacy, and water‑focused books. Each winning student and their teacher will be invited to be recognized at an Arlington City Council meeting in November, and the artwork will be displayed in City Hall or the Utilities’ South Service Center.
Community partners
The contest is made possible through the collaboration of Arlington Water Utilities, the Arlington Public Library, Tarrant Regional Water District and River Legacy Nature Center. Organizers encourage families to explore past winners on the city’s website and to browse water‑related art ideas at waterisawesome.com for inspiration.
Why it matters
By engaging children in creative expression, the city reinforces the importance of water stewardship for future generations. The contest aligns with Arlington’s broader effort to educate residents about conservation, safe drinking water and the role of public utilities in supporting healthy, thriving families.
Additional resources
For more information about IADWW and the value of water, visit thevalueofwater.org. Updates and winner announcements will be posted on the Arlington Water Utilities Facebook page.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
