Solano Resource Conservation District is offering schools the School Water Education Program (SWEP), a collection of virtual, K-12 water-themed lessons.

These free interactive 30 or 60-minute lessons take students across Solano County to explore where their drinking water comes from, where their city’s stormwater goes, and how to conserve and protect this precious resource.

These popular classroom presentations are funded by your local water and/or wastewater agency on a first-come basis. All schools in Solano County are offered these water education services at zero cost. Visit Solano RCD for more information. 

Dunnell Nature Center Field Trips

Students from Orchard Elementary School were able to enjoy a recent mid-day field trip to the Dunnell Nature Center in Fairfield where they learned about water conservation and natural resource sustainability. Students learned where drinking water in Vacaville comes from and where it goes, the importance of using water efficiently, and to value and conserve our local environment and natural resources. The field trip is one of several educational programs facilitated by the Solano Resource Conservation District and sponsored through a partnership between the City of Vacaville and the Solano County Water Agency. 

2024 Water Awareness Video Contest Winners Announced!

The Solano County Water Agency’s (SCWA) annual video contest sought original videos that reflect the theme Think Outside the Sink: Keeping the Rainfall in Our Reservoir. Students in grades 6 through 12 were encouraged to communicate the importance of conserving water in order to plan for our future, even when we are not in times of drought.

SCWA is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Water Awareness Video Contest: 

• FIRST PLACE: “Rescuing Our Reservoirs” by Lily Atkinson of Vanden High School in Fairfield who will receive $1,500, split 50/50 between student and sponsoring teacher, Darcy Span.
• SECOND PLACE: “Continuously Conserving Water” by Alyssa Bongato of Rodriguez High School in Fairfield will receive $1,000, split 50/50 between student and sponsoring teacher, Debbie Cook.
• THIRD PLACE: “Think OUTSIDE the Sink!” by Donoven Salgado of Vanden High School in Fairfield will receive $500, split 50/50 between student and sponsoring teacher, Katy Green.

In addition to the three grand prize winners, the makers of the top-scoring video from all schools with 10 or more contest participants earned a $100 Target gift card (grand prize winners were not eligible).

• “Help the Water Droplet by Conserving” by Makayla Guieb-Lastrella and Alvin Rebaja (Neil Orlina, teacher) of St. Basil School in Vallejo. 
• “A Dog’s Perspective on Water Conservation” by Seth Thomas (Katy Green, teacher) of Vanden High School in Fairfield.
• Honorable Mention prize of a $100 Target gift card was awarded to “Lawns” by Marcus Melberg of Rodriguez High School in Fairfield.

Teacher Participation Prize: 

Target gift cards valued at $200 each were also awarded to the two teachers with the highest contest participation. These awards go to Darcy Span of Vanden High School and Neil Orlina of St. Basil School.  

All of the top scoring videos can be viewed on the Solano Saves Water YouTube channel at http://tinyurl.com/scwavideo. For tips on using water efficiently, visit https://www.scwa2.com/.

Congratulations and thank you to all of the winners, participants, and teachers who let everyone know that Saving Water is Saving Our Future!

Vacaville Presents at 2023 Solano Water Institute for Teachers

City of Vacaville Water Conservation Coordinator Ramiro Jimenez provided an overview of the City’s Water Management and Conservation efforts to a group of local educators as part of the 2023 Solano Water Institute for Teachers. This 3 day program provides Solano area teachers an overview of local water conservation and resources issues that they can then take back to their own classrooms and students. This program has been in place for several years and is coordinated in partnership with the Solano Resource Conservation District. For more information on this year’s event and the dates for next year, please visit Solano RCD.