News Release 193

DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES
DRINKING WATER WEEK POSTER CONTEST WINNERS

Volume 36-193

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, APRIL 9, 2008—The Missouri Department of Natural Resources today announced the winners of the Drinking Water Week poster contest, sponsored by the department and the American Water Works Association.    

Jason Ingram, a fifth grade student in Mary Kate Quarnstrom's class at Chapel Lakes Elementary in Lee's Summit, took first place.  Ingram will be awarded $300 from the American Water Works Association.

Sutton Porth, a fifth grade student in Valerie Swearingin's class at Lawson Middle School in Lawson, took second place.  Porth will be awarded $200 from the American Water Works Association.

Kylie Vaught, a fifth grade student in Stephanie Vaught's class at Crane RIII in Crane, took third place.  Vaught will be awarded $100 from the American Water Works Association.

The winners were chosen from more than 400 entries submitted by fifth grade students across Missouri.  Ingram presented his artwork to Gov. Matt Blunt today at the Capitol. 

The American Water Works Association and the Department of Natural Resources held the poster contest to celebrate National Drinking Water Week, May 4 through May 10. Drinking Water Week is a week set aside each year to make people more aware of the benefits of tap water. Water plays a vital role in our daily lives, and this poster contest asked students to celebrate what only tap water can deliver.

"A safe, reliable water supply is critical to the success of any community. It creates jobs, attracts industry and investment and provides for the health and welfare of citizens in ways ranging from disease prevention to fire suppression," said Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers. "We often take water resources for granted unless we are living through a drought or when depleted water supplies threaten a community's future."   

For more information on Drinking Water Week or to see the winning posters, visit the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/dww/postercontest.htm or call the department's Public Drinking Water Branch at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-1825.  

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.     

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