Contest raises awareness of the role high-quality water systems play in students’ daily lives

Illinois American Water encourages students to showcase their creativity by submitting artwork to the company’s “Water Keeps Life Flowing” art contest. Entries from 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will capture what high-quality water service means to them, and artwork will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.

“Our annual art contest encourages our young customers to learn about and understand the importance of water service in a creative way,” says Rebecca Losli, president of Illinois American Water. “We are excited to see how students bring together art and science to depict how water plays a critical role in their lives.”

Art entries are due Oct. 24, 2025, just one week after the annual observance of the U.S. Water Alliance's Imagine a Day Without Water on Oct. 16, which asks individuals to consider the devastating consequences of a single day without access to clean water.

Losli added, “Water is used to grow flourishing gardens and manufacture new products. We also need water to fight fires and to support public health across our communities. Illinois American Water plays a critical role in customers’ daily lives by providing water service that supports essential activities, jobs, growth and community operations.”

Up to ten winners will earn a prize pack, valued at roughly $100, to share with their classroom. Available prize packs include: Creative Kids – art supplies such as colored pencils, markers, crayons; Classroom Essentials - books, magnetic tiles, Play-Doh, Guess in 10 Animal Planet; Classroom Party – Uno Junior, 30 Fidget Toy Keychains, Would You Rather? School & Classroom Edition.

The winning artwork may be featured in future Illinois American Water customer communications. Past winning artwork can be found on the company’s Facebook page: @ilamwater.

Additional contest rules and guidelines can be found on Illinois American Water’s website under the News & Community tab.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Illinois American Water

Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

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“Our annual art contest encourages our young customers to learn about and understand the importance of water service in a creative way,” says Rebecca Losli, president of Illinois American Water.