Enter the IWSH Scholarship Essay Contest

2025 Topic

“Why should the government and private sector come together to provide improved access to clean drinking water?”

IWSH Essay Contest graphic

You are:

  • a current high school senior or
  • a full-time (12 credit hours) student in an accredited technical school, community college, trade school, apprentice program or
  • an undergraduate student enrolled in a four-year accredited college or university. International students are welcome to enter.

You care: 

  • that people have access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation.

You want to make a difference. 

The Need

2 Billion People Globally Lack Access To Safe Drinking Water 

While governments create policies and infrastructure, private companies bring innovative technologies and resources that can help solve these challenges.

Your essay should explore how these partnerships can make real change happen. 

Consider writing about: 

  • How government-private sector teamwork can overcome challenges such as limited funding or outdated infrastructure.
  • Real examples of successful partnerships that have improved community access to water and sanitation.
  • New ideas for how governments and companies can work together to ensure everyone has access to these basic human rights.
  • Ways these partnerships can create stronger, more resilient communities through improved water infrastructure.
Remember that professionally installed plumbing systems are critical for preventing waterborne illnesses and protecting public health. Your essay can help show how collaboration between government and private industry could help deliver these essential services to more people.
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How To Enter

Ready to tell the story of plumbing?

Our contest aims to acquaint the uninitiated with the crucial importance the plumbing industry plays in our everyday lives.

  • Essays must be no fewer than 800 words and no more than 1,600 words written on the topic noted above.
  • Your essay must be original.  Please be advised that the scholarship committee may run the essay through an AI detector and/or run a plagiarism scan, which could cause your essay to be disqualified.
  • The deadline to enter is April 30, 2025, 11:59 pm Pacific Time.
The Sandra Imprescia Essay Scholarship Committee will review essays to determine the top four. IWSH’s Board of Trustees will select and announce essay contest winners by the Fall of 2025.

 

IWSH Essay Prizes graphic

Enter Now

Per the contest rules, submitting your essay grants IWSH and its partners, including news media outlets, the right to use your name, photograph, statements, quotes, and testimonials, including without limitation any submitted writing in whole or in part for advertising, publicity and promotional purposes without notification or further compensation. This includes, but is not limited to, publication on IWSH’s social media accounts, as well as print or electronic publications. IWSH maintains the right to reproduce, reprint, distribute, perform, display, or exhibit any submitted materials for advertising, publicity, and promotional purposes on its website, in IAPMO’s quarterly magazine, at conferences, or other venues.