frequently asked questions
Am I eligible?
The Prize is open to anyone age 18 or older participating as an individual or as a team.
Teams must have at least one US-based member and be able to provide an EIN or SSN if your intent is to be eligible for one of the awards.
Teams must have at least one US-based member and be able to provide an EIN or SSN if your intent is to be eligible for one of the awards.
I don't know much about water quality. Can I still participate?
No specific qualifications or expertise is required. We encourage outside individuals and non-expert teams to compete and propose new solutions.
What's the deadline for entry submission?
Submissions must be made online (only), via upload to the website, on or before 5:00pm ET on December 1, 2020. No late submissions will be accepted. You may submit an early expression of interest on the Apply tab, although it is optional.
What is the purpose of this competition?
Although meant to increase trust among consumers about tap water, currently available CCRs are not easily accessible and understood by people. Current technologies and tools for data collection and sharing make it possible to share more frequent water quality data with consumers. We believe that there are creative ideas for how to communicate this critically important information and this competition is a way to spotlight those ideas and share them with EPA, state agencies, utilities, and trade associations. Our intent is to share the best ideas with decisionmakers and improve public trust in our water systems.
Who is EPIC and why are they interested in CCR's?
The Environmental Policy Innovation Center builds policies that deliver spectacular improvement in the speed and scale of environmental progress. A nonprofit start-up, EPIC is committed to finding and highlighting the best approaches to scaling up results quickly. EPIC focuses on clean water, endangered species, environmental markets and the use of data and technology in producing conservation outcomes.
EPIC has an expanding program on water infrastructure, federal and state policy, and transforming the role of ‘trust’ in water services. We are taking on ambitious efforts to make drinking water better and its delivery and pricing fairer for all Americans, and to also improve the treatment of wastewater and stormwater for people and the environment. We believe America’s water utilities can be more effective at strengthening customer trust, improving their focus on equity and health, and financing infrastructure while providing drinking water and enhancing water quality and quantity for nature. We see CCRs as one element of trust-bulding that utilities can undertake.
EPIC has an expanding program on water infrastructure, federal and state policy, and transforming the role of ‘trust’ in water services. We are taking on ambitious efforts to make drinking water better and its delivery and pricing fairer for all Americans, and to also improve the treatment of wastewater and stormwater for people and the environment. We believe America’s water utilities can be more effective at strengthening customer trust, improving their focus on equity and health, and financing infrastructure while providing drinking water and enhancing water quality and quantity for nature. We see CCRs as one element of trust-bulding that utilities can undertake.
How are the entries going to be judged and by whom?
We are currently recruiting a panel of experts who will judge the entries. These judges will represent various voices in the world of water, including federal and state agencies, water utilities, trade associations, community organizations, and academic experts. The entries will be judged on a number of criteria listed on the Guidelines tab under Judging.
Is there any prize money and how is it awarded?
We anticipate at least one $5,000 prize and multiple prizes of slightly lesser value to be awarded to the top-scoring submissions.
Although not a requirement to participate, one of the team members must be able to present an EIN or SSN if your intent is to be eligible for one of the awards. The prize money will be split equally among team members after deducting IRS-designated tax liability.
Although not a requirement to participate, one of the team members must be able to present an EIN or SSN if your intent is to be eligible for one of the awards. The prize money will be split equally among team members after deducting IRS-designated tax liability.
I won't be participating in the competition, but I would like to contribute my efforts in some way. What can I do?
You can help in multiple ways: recommend a judge, forward this message to your friends and colleagues, and share this event on social media using hashtags #WaterDataPrize, #RedesignCCR and #CommunicateWater
I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. WHO CAN I CONTACT?
Please send us an email at info@waterdataprize.com.
