Western to sponsor competition in collaboration with Riverside Public Utilities and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
RIVERSIDE, CA – Western Municipal Water District, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and Riverside Public Utilities will be sponsoring local high schools as they compete in Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s 2016 Solar Cup event, May 13-15 at Lake Skinner.
Elsinore High School and Lakeside High School, sponsored by Western and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, and Riverside Poly and Norte Vista High School, sponsored by Riverside Public Utilities, will be the regional representatives to participate in this innovative educational program that introduces students to science while providing an awareness of water quality and solar energy.
Agency funds are used to purchase the boat’s power source – solar panels – and drivetrain components. Coaches encourage students to consider environmental issues, science, and engineering as career options during the seven-month boat-building process.
“Solar Cup brings students, schools and local community agencies together to learn about important issues affecting our water; one example is water quality, which is an emphasis at this competition,” said Craig Miller, Western’s deputy general manager. “Western is proud to partner with Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and Riverside Public Utilities to sponsor teams for this springtime event.
“We are honored that two of our local schools are teaming up to compete again this year,” said Phil Williams, president of the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District board of directors. We are continuously impressed by the dedication of the students and look forward to supporting their efforts in the race.”
Riverside Public Utilities is a proud supporter of this year’s 2016 Solar Cup Competition. “Educating future generations about energy and water issues is a key priority to us, and we are excited to partner with our local high schools, Norte Vista and Riverside Polytechnic,” said Rusty Bailey, mayor of Riverside.
Western, Riverside Public Utilities and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water Districts all work closely with the schools for Solar Cup. Selected schools are given the Solar Cup timeline, which includes important program dates for boat building and new teacher training. Solar Cup, which is designed to support and encourage students to develop an early awareness and appreciation of water, is a major component of all three agencies’ educational programs.
Metropolitan started Solar Cup in 2002 with eight teams. Fourteen years later, the program has grown into a regional event with roughly 40 schools and 800 student participants. It’s the largest solar-powered boat program in the nation.
Western Municipal Water District provides water supply, wastewater disposal and water resource management to the public in a safe, reliable, environmentally sensitive and financially responsible manner.
