Official rules: Tap Water Heroes Award 2027

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase or donation will not improve your chances of winning. Void where prohibited.

1. Sponsor

The contest is run by CityH2O ("Sponsor"), an independent website at cityh2o.com. Questions go through the contact page.

2. Eligibility

Open to legal residents of the United States (excluding where prohibited) and Canada (excluding Québec, unless and until Sponsor completes any required filings), who are 18 or older at the time of entry. Nominees under 18 may be nominated in the Student category with a parent or guardian's written consent. Employees and contractors of Sponsor and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.

3. Entry period

Nominations open November 15, 2026 and close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 22, 2027. Entries received after the deadline are not eligible.

4. How to enter

Submit the nomination form on the contest page describing the nominee's contribution to safer or more accessible drinking water. Limit one nomination per nominee per person. Entries must be original, truthful, and must not infringe anyone's rights or include private information about others without consent.

5. Judging

Eligible entries are scored by Sponsor's editorial panel on impact (40%), originality (30%), community reach (20%) and storytelling (10%). In the event of a tie, the entry with the higher impact score wins. Judges' decisions are final. Canadian residents selected as potential winners must correctly answer a time-limited, skill-testing mathematical question to receive a prize.

6. Prizes

Grand prize: US$250 cash prize + a certified home water test for the winner, and a featured profile on CityH2O. Category winners receive a featured profile and digital certificate. No substitution or transfer of prizes except by Sponsor, which may substitute a prize of equal or greater value. Winners are responsible for any applicable taxes. Sponsor reserves the right not to award a prize if fewer than ten eligible entries are received.

7. Winner notification

Potential winners are notified by email by March 15, 2027 and must respond within 7 days, or an alternate may be selected. Winners are announced on March 22, 2027 (World Water Day).

8. Publicity and licence

By entering, you grant Sponsor a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to publish your nomination text and submitted media on CityH2O and its social channels, with credit, except where prohibited by law. You confirm you have the right to share any media you submit.

9. Privacy

Information collected is used to administer the contest under our privacy policy.

10. General

Sponsor may cancel, suspend or modify the contest if fraud, technical failure or any factor beyond its control impairs its integrity. Participants release Sponsor from liability arising from participation or prize acceptance to the extent permitted by law. This contest is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Google, YouTube, Meta or any social platform.