Project Clean Water and I Love A Clean San Diego have partnered for an inaugural “Design for Clean Water: Stormwater Pollution Challenge.” This design competition is for teams to propose innovative and sustainable solution to mitigate stormwater pollution and improve air quality in the San Diego region.
The competition will provide $2,000 microgrants to up to five teams presented by Blu- Peak Credit Union to develop and prototype their ideas. Then, the projects will be featured during San Diego Design Week (Sept. 18-25), and at I Love A Clean San Diego’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 21 across the county, showcasing their creative solutions to a wider audience, and making an impact on the community.
The competition is open to design teams consisting of students, professionals, and community members, and teams are encouraged to include at least one member with a background in environmental science, engineering, or a related field. The objectives of the competition include developing innovative solutions to reduce stormwater pollution, enhancing public awareness and engagement in water quality issues, and fostering a binational collaborative environment for creative problem-solving.
“Stormwater pollution poses a significant threat to San Diego’s waterways, harming wildlife and human health,” said Ruth de la Rosa of Project Clean Water in a statement. “Designers have a unique opportunity to tackle this complex issue by applying their creative problem-solving skills and innovative thinking. By leveraging design principles and collaborative approaches, designers can develop effective and sustainable solutions that address the root causes of stormwater pollution, making a tangible impact on the environment and community.”
BluPeak Credit Union President and CEO said at BluPeak, they believe access to water is a fundamental right.
“It is essential to bridging socioeconomic gaps and providing aid to those in need,” he said. “This design challenge aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are excited to support the creative solutions that will emerge from this initiative.”
The competition is now open and proposals are due by Aug. 12, to Ann Berchtold at aberchtold@ migcom.com. For more information on requirements, visit www.projectcleanwater. org/design-for-clean-water-stormwater-pollution-challenge/.
