Media Corner

For Immediate Release
June 23, 2009

Local Sixth-Grader Proves That "Every Drop Counts" In Regional Poster Contest

Director Robert Apodaca presents Natasha Cuenco with an Apple MacBook Laptop for winning first place in the annual "Water is Life" Poster Contest.

Commerce, CA- The Central Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors proudly announced this week the winner of the "Water is Life" Poster Contest for its service area: Natasha Cuenco, a sixth-grader from North Park Middle School in the City of Pico Rivera. Natasha was presented with a new Apple Macbook by Director Robert Apodaca and will have her artwork featured in Metropolitan Water District's (MWD) 2010 "Water Is Life" calendar. Her artwork will also appear on MWD's water bottles, note cards, magnets, and other promotional items.

In partnership with MWD, Central Basin sponsors the "Water is Life" poster contest each year to encourage wise water use, conservation, recycling, and water education. Elementary and middle school students from throughout MWD's service area are encouraged to depict smarter ways to use water at home, at school or in the environment. Teachers submit the two best entries from their classroom to a regional selection committee.

Central Basin received dozens of creative entries this year from talented student artists, and the selection panel was hard-pressed to identify just one winner. However, Natasha's colorful and visually complex entry entitled "Every Drop Counts" struck a special chord with members of the committee.

"Natasha shows great awareness for someone her age of the critical state of our regional water supplies, "said Central Basin Board President Ed Vasquez. "She's a very talented young lady, and we certainly hope that her message resonates with our residents. It's true now more than ever: 'Every Drop Counts.'"

In addition to sponsoring the annual poster contest, Central Basin has designed a bilingual water conservation campaign to motivate the two million residents within its service area to be smarter about their daily water use. Known as "Shut Your Tap!" or "!Cierre Su Lllave!" the campaign engages social marketing strategies, community partnerships, and grassroots outreach within Central Basin's 227 square mile service area.

Residents are encouraged to visit shutyourtap.org for tips on maintaining a low-water use garden and for cutting back on water waste inside and outside the home or office.

Note to Editor: More photos available upon request.