Video contest: How to Save Water

Entries accepted January 1 – April 14, 2021

Video+contest%3A+How+to+Save+Water

Video theme:

Entries must focus on the 2021 theme: #HowTo Save Water. Videos that focus on other topics will be disqualified.

Video Contest Coordinator: Please contact Christine Kohn (916-944-1631) or Chris Perry (916-416-7367) or [email protected] with questions.

Background Information and Messages

The 2021 Water Awareness Video Contest is challenging students to make a step-by-step tutorial that teaches viewers #HowTo Save Water. The topic is purposely broad so as to provide students with maximum flexibility to demonstrate water-saving tips with what they have on hand given challenges posed by the coronavirus emergency.

Here are some tips for using water efficiently that can be incorporated into videos:

Outdoors:

  • Replace thirsty lawn with native, climate-appropriate plants and drip irrigation
  • Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants to slow down evaporation
  • Adjust sprinkler heads so that the water lands on the lawn or garden where it belongs and not on the sidewalk or street
  • Water early in the morning or later at night to reduce evaporation
  • Check your sprinkler timer monthly and adjust according to the weather
  • Use a shut-off nozzle on your garden hose
  • Use a broom rather than a hose to clean your sidewalk and driveway
  • Install a water-efficient drip irrigation system for your trees, shrubs and flowers
  • Set mower blade to three inches
  • Replace older sprinklers with high-efficiency rotary nozzles
  • Install a Water-Sense labeled, “smart” sprinkler timer that adjusts watering based upon weather, soil type, sun exposure (for example, full sun or part shade) and plant type

Indoors:

  • Take a power shower by installing a WaterSense showerhead, taking shorter showers and turning off the water while washing your hair
  • Turn off the water when rinsing dishes, soaping hands, brushing teeth or shaving
  • Check plumbing and appliances for leaks and fix them within 48 hours
  • Replacer older fixtures such as toilets, faucets and showerheads with high-efficiency, WaterSense-labeled fixtures. (These can be found at most home improvement stores.)
  • Check your toilet for leaks by putting dye tablets or food coloring in the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak that should be repaired
  • Install a high-efficiency clothes washing machine
  • Run the dishwasher only when full
  • Don’t leave water running while rinsing dishes
  • Fill the bathtub halfway or less
  • Wash only full loads of clothes

More water-saving tips are available at https://www.scwa2.com/water-efficiency/tips-resources/.

Guidelines and Official Rules

Please carefully read and observe all eligibility guidelines, submission requirements, and rules below:

Eligible participants: Participants must be enrolled and in good standing at a Solano County public or private high school or middle school (grades 6-12).

Submission limits: Video submissions are limited to one video entry per student as an individual or as a team. All submissions are final.

Video length: The video run time must be at or about 60 seconds (between 55 and 65 seconds total running time). (FINAL CREDITS, IF INCLUDED, WILL NOT COUNT AGAINST YOUR TOTAL TIME LIMIT).

Submission requirements: Each student must complete an Official Entry Form for each video submission (limit of one entry per student or group). All video entries (whether by e-mail or on a USB flash drive) must be accompanied with the following information: (1) a video title, (2) student name(s), (3) school name, (4) an e-mail address and (5) daytime telephone number.

Video format: All videos must be submitted in one of the following movie/file formats: mp4, mov, wmv, avi, or mpg on a USB flash drive or by e-mail to [email protected].

Contest deadline: A completed video and signed Official Entry Form(s) must be received by the Solano County Water Agency 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

Where to submit video entries:
Submit by e-mail to [email protected] or USB flash drive via mail or in person to:

Andy Florendo, Solano County Water Agency

Attn: Water Awareness Video Contest

810 Vaca Valley Parkway, Suite 203

Vacaville, CA 95688

If your file is large, you may use one of the following services to transmit your video:

www.google.com/drivewww.sendspace.comwww.dropsend.comwww.filefactory.comwww.hightail.com or http://www.vimeo.com

Videos will be judged on the following:

Accuracy and Content: Does it follow the video theme? How focused is the message? Is the information offered accurate?

Audio/Sound: Is the sound sufficiently loud? Are voices clear and distinguished? Utilized appropriate sound effects.

Style and Organization: Shows good organization of content and story line.

Videography–Techniques–Clarity: The camera was held steady with minimum rock/shake. The video was shot at various “takes,” camera angles, etc. Whether the zoom was carefully/creatively used or not. Kept within the 55 to 65-second time limit.

Entertainment Value and Originality: Is it interesting and captivating?

Entry conditions:

By submitting an entry, you agree: To abide by all rules; To accept as final the decisions of the judges; That the Solano County Water Agency and member agencies reserve the right to exhibit submitted videos unlimited number of times and in/through a limitless number of locations/media without paying you a fee and with no further notification;  That if selected as a finalist, you must either: I) certify that your video has not been submitted elsewhere; or II) give satisfactory evidence that you now have the full right to submit and publish it; That if you are a winner, information you have submitted concerning yourself and your prize may be utilized for publicity or advertising purposes without further consent or compensation to you; That all related clearances and permissions must be obtained prior to submission. It is your responsibility to obtain signed releases from any person whose recognizable likeness appears in your video and to obtain permission to use all other copyrighted materials that was used in your film including still images, 3-D objects, and music or musical compositions. You will assume all liability that may arise from lacking clearances and permissions.

You agree to follow all state and county public health guidelines during the production of your video.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Solano County Water Agency, member agencies and contest consultants from any and all liability arising out of or relating in any way to your participation in the contest and to release all rights to bring any claim, action, or proceeding against Solano County Water Agency, member agencies and contest consultants.

Prizes and winner selection:

A group of finalists will be selected from among eligible submissions by a panel of water efficiency experts and community leaders. The top rated videos may be subject to public viewing at www.scwa2.com and/or other venues. Prizes will be awarded to the top three films as judged and scored by the reviewing panel. Cash awards:
1st Place $1,500, 2nd Place $1,000, 3rd Place $500. Each cash award will be split with 50 percent of the prize going to the individual(s) who submitted the video, and 50 percent to the sponsoring teacher. In addition, the top scoring video from each school will win a $50 Amazon gift card (minimum is five eligible videos per school; 1st Place, 2nd Place, and 3rd Place winners not eligible). Awards will be presented in May 2021.

Winner notification:

April 15-May 11, 2021Judging by water efficiency experts and community leaders

May 12, 2021—Winners will be announced on www.scwa2.com/water-conservation. All winners will be notified by phone, mail, and/or email based on the information provided on their entry registration form.

May 2021 (Water Awareness Month)Winners will be presented with cash and certificates