Andrew Lapatina, 11th-grader from Archbishop Ryan High School, won first place in last year.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is officially accepting entries for the 2007 “Clean Water Begins and Ends With You” Drawing Contest, an annual art competition for kindergarten through 12th grade students throughout the City of Philadelphia.

Deadline for entries is February 23.

For eight years now, the non-profit National Estuary Program has partnered with the Philadelphia Water Department to administer this popular contest, which educates hundreds of children in public, parochial and private schools annually about stormwater runoff pollution, a leading cause of water contamination throughout the Delaware Estuary.

First-place drawings from four age categories will be featured by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in a car card advertising campaign celebrating the 37th anniversary of Earth Day. This, along with 12 other award-winning entries, will be published in a calendar available for free to the public.

Other prizes to be awarded at a ceremony in April include framed certificates, a variety of art supplies, and gift cards ranging from $25 to $100.

“Art and conservation are school subjects that are frequently passed over in exchange for reading, writing, and arithmetic,” said Lisa Wool, program director with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. “This contest helps teachers to keep these subjects in the classroom in a way that’s educational, fun and rewarding.”

The first school to submit 100 qualified entries or more by the February 23 deadline will also receive a $500 gift card for school supplies. And each teacher of a winning student will receive a $25 gift card toward the purchase of art supplies.

Stormwater runoff occurs when water from rain or melted snow flows over watertight surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and streets. Rather than naturally soaking into the ground, this stormwater picks up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants on its way into sewers. It is then frequently discharged as untreated runoff into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, drinking water and more.

For drawing ideas, see the 2006 Drawing Winners.

To learn more visit the “Clean Water Begins and Ends With You” Drawing Contest webpage or call Dee Ross at 800-445-4935, extension 106.

1/12/2007