The annual essay contest is held to encourage children and parents to address the growing need to improve water quality and conservation efforts in Georgia. Students researched and shared their thoughts on why conserving water and preventing water pollution is important for the future of their river, lakes and streams.

The main goal of this program was to encourage students to create solutions to water conservation and water quality in metro Atlanta.

The contest was open to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders in Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale and Walton counties.

Winners were selected in each county and an overall winner was selected from the county winners. County winners were awarded a Clean Water Campaign/waterSmart certificate given by their respective elected official at an award presentation. Essays can be read online by going to www.cleanwatercampaign.com and clicking on the essay contest link.