Video Contest

The 2025 Video Contest is closed for submissions. See you again soon for the 2026 announcement!



Do you know what happens in the sewer system after you flush? Why is it bad to use toilets as trash cans? What are the 3 P's?
To help creatively answer these questions and explain what does or does not belong down toilets, we're looking for public service announcements or video entries. You can create a newscast, news story, skit, animation, commercial or even a music video. Let your imagination run wild, but please follow the instructions carefully if you'd like to be considered for a cash prize!

Who May Enter:

Middle and high school students grades 6 – 12 registered in a Florida school. Entries can be a team of up to four students or an individual effort. Limit one entry per student.

Entry Guidelines:

Each video entry must be uploaded as YouTube video link in an mp4 or .mov file format and be identified with the video title and high school name. To enter the contest, click on the submit entry link below to complete the form.

  • Your production must not exceed 45 seconds in length

  • NO professional assistance or use of copyright material is allowed (such use will result in an automatic disqualification).

  • Any videos depicting violence, disparaging remarks, illegal or offensive (included implied) content and or solicitations for donations will be disqualified. All videos should be family friendly and viewable by all ages. Videos must not reflect religious or political views.


Submission and Release Form:

The video contest allows up to 4 students in one group. The entry form cannot be edited once submitted, therefore, it is important that all participants are together when filling out the form.

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY


Submission Deadline:

February 12, 2025


Awards:

Winners will be notified by April 28, 2025  

Prizes subject to taxes


Judging Criteria:

Entries will be judged by an independent review committee. Please consider the following:

  • Does your video identify items that are or are not safe to flush?
  • Is your video family friendly and viewable by all ages?
  • Are your facts accurate? Not sure? Ask your County Contact!
  • Does your video empower the audience to take action and put those unflushable items in the trash?
  • Is the video 45 seconds or less in length?
  • Is the video in an mp4 or .mov format?
  • Did you upload your video to YouTube and include your school name and a title?
  • Is the audio and technical construction clear and of high quality?
  • Is it entertaining? Is it creative and original?
  • Did you complete an entry form for each person involved in the production of the video?


Helpful Links:


Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU): "The Unflushables"

JEA (Jacksonville, FL): "Invasion of the Fatbergs"

Miami-Dade County: "Think Before you Flush"

Bonita Springs Utilities: "To Flush or Not to Flush"

Water Environment Federation (WEF): "Will It Flush?"



2025 Contest Winners: 

High School

 1st Place: She’s Got Pipes (a Musical) 
                   Katherine del Valle, Middleton High School  —                                        Hillsborough County

 2nd Place: The Guilty
                     Kat Maruno, Boone High School — Orange                                             County

 3rd Place: Chuck It, Don't Flush It
                    Melissa Azzarito, Marjory Stoneman Douglas                                         High School  — Broward County 

Honorable Mentions:

The Case of Porcelainitis by Charlotte Taylor & Ethan Downes, Sarasota High School — Sarasota County

Crime at the Bowl by Boone High School — Orange County


Middle School

1st Place: To Flush or Not to Flush

                   Josephine Price, Apopka Memorial Middle                                                School – Orange County

2nd Place: Pee, Poop, and Paper
                   K. Phillips & S. Phillips, Silver Trail Middle                                                  School – Broward County 

3rd Place: Can You Flush It? (Trivia) 
                   Alice Karakai & Alexander Karakai, Mandarin                                          Middle School – Duval County

Honorable Mentions:

MMS TV Productions – The Three P’s  by Emma Christopher, Mandarin Middle School —  Duval County

3P Protocol — Pee, Poop, Paper by Owen Glenn, Chase Staggs, & Brayden Wiley, Mandarin Middle School — Duval County


County Contacts:

Questions? Please click on the contact's name to see their email address. 

Alachua County
Melissa Hamilton

Broward County
Suzanne Mechler

Clay, Duval, Nassau & St. Johns County
Amy Tracy

Miami-Dade County
Melody Gonzalez

Orange County
Debbie Sponsler

Pinellas, Sarasota County
Melina Bautista



This contest is sponsored annually by the Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA) Public Communications and Outreach Committee (PCOC). The PCOC is a volunteer group comprised of engineers, communicators, tradesmen/women, equipment providers, and utility personnel that are all proponents of raising public awareness of the essential services provided by the water industry.







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