In Partnership with the Sacramento Area Sewer District
Competition Resources
Information About the Competition
Make 30 Seconds Matter
Access Sacramento and the Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) invite high school video production and animation students to put their creativity to work in the annual High School PSA Competition
Your challenge: Create an original 30-second public service announcement based on a topic provided by SacSewer. This is more than a classroom assignment! You’ll be creating work for a real-world client. SacSewer will judge the entries, and winning PSAs may be featured on SacSewer’s website and social media and broadcast by Access Sacramento.
The competition is supported by a Confluence Regional Partnership Program grant funded by SacSewer.
Who Can Enter?
The competition is open to students enrolled in a video production, filmmaking or animation class at a high school in:
- Sacramento County
- The City of West Sacramento
Students may enter individually or in teams of up to three producers. Cash awards are divided among the producers listed on the entry.
There is no limit on the number of actors, crew members or other students who can help bring your idea to life.
Cash Prizes
Animation
1st Place — $500
2nd Place — $400
3rd Place — $300
Live Action
1st Place — $500
2nd Place — $400
3rd Place — $300
Creative Merit Awards
Six additional Animation or Live Action entries will receive $100 Creative Merit Awards.
Judges may also present additional noncash Awards of Merit.
All winning filmmakers receive an Access Sacramento Certificate of Excellence.
Your Work Gets Seen
Winning PSAs will be showcased on Access Sacramento’s television channels and streaming platforms and may also be used by SacSewer on its website, social media, and other public outreach.
Top student filmmakers will also be invited to appear on an Access Sacramento studio program highlighting their work and the competition.
The Challenge
Create an original PSA that:
- Is exactly 30 seconds long
- Clearly and accurately communicates the assigned SacSewer message
- Grabs the audience’s attention
- Uses creativity to make the message memorable
- Demonstrates strong video, animation, sound and storytelling skills
Do not include credits within the 30-second PSA.
Give your PSA a creative, unique title. Please don’t call it “Sewer PSA.” We know what contest you entered.
Keep It Original
The work should be yours.
All video footage must be shot by students. Stock footage is not allowed.
The use of artificial intelligence to create any part of the entry is prohibited, including scripts, images, video, animation, voice, music or editing.
Music, photos and other materials must either be original or legally licensed for your use. Entries containing unauthorized copyrighted material will be disqualified.
Please use the official SacSewer logo when appropriate.
Using Creative Commons Music
Creative Commons music may be used when the license allows it. Follow all attribution requirements. Music credits may appear briefly in small type at the bottom of the screen during the final moments of the PSA and should also be included in the video’s description or accompanying credits.
Release Forms
Every person who appears on camera must have a completed Talent Release Form.
Each production must also have a completed Project Release Form. Teachers should keep all signed release forms on file. You do not need to send them to Access Sacramento unless requested.
How to Submit
Before submitting, make sure:
- Your PSA is exactly 30 seconds.
- Your video has a unique title.
- All required release forms have been completed.
- Your footage and other creative material meet the contest’s originality and copyright requirements.
- Your video is exported in HD when possible.
Name Your File
Use:
SewerDistrict_LastName_School.mp4
Example:
SewerDistrict_Smith_Franklin.mp4
For a team, include all producer last names, up to three:
SewerDistrict_Martinez_Jones_Nguyen_Center.mov
Upload your PSA using the competition submission form provided by your teacher.
Also submit a separate credits document listing the full names of all producers and any required music or Creative Commons credits.
If your video is uploaded to YouTube, set it to UNLISTED (not PRIVATE) so judges can view it.
For Teachers
Teachers play an important role in making this a real-world learning experience.
Participating teachers should:
- Confirm participation by the teacher registration deadline.
- Introduce the PSA project and SacSewer assignment to students.
- Review contest requirements with students.
- Make sure student teams have no more than three credited producers.
- Confirm that all required Talent and Project Release Forms are complete and kept on file.
- Make sure final entries are submitted by the competition deadline.
- Either the teacher or the students can upload the video files through a Google form which is available here. Links to each video submitted for judging should be sent to the coordinator by the competition deadline, March 5, 2027.
We recommend beginning the production unit no later than mid-February, so students have adequate time to develop, produce and revise their work.
Teacher Awards
We also recognize the teachers who make the competition possible.
The three teachers with the highest number of first, second, and third-place student entries will each receive a $175 Amazon gift card.
The three teachers with the highest number of Creative Merit Award entries will each receive a $125 Amazon gift card.
Teachers may receive an award in only one of these two categories.
Participating teachers whose students do not receive one of these awards will receive a $25 Amazon gift card in recognition of their participation.
2026-27 Key Dates
Friday, Oct. 23, 2026
Teacher participation deadline
Friday, March 5, 2027
Student PSA submission deadline
Tuesday, March 30, 2027
Winners announced
Thursday, April 8, 2027
Tentative Access Sacramento student winner showcase.
Teachers interested in participating should contact:
Joe Barr
jbarr@accesssacramento.org
James Just
jjust@accesssacramento.org
How Entries Are Judged
Message Effectiveness — 40%
Does the PSA clearly and accurately communicate the client’s message? Does it connect with the audience and inspire the intended response?
Creativity — 20%
Is the concept fresh, original and engaging?
Visual Quality — 20%
Does the PSA demonstrate thoughtful composition, lighting, animation, camera work and overall visual presentation?
Sound — 20%
Are narration and dialogue clear? Is the audio properly balanced? Does music or sound enhance the message, and is all music used legally?
Ready to Make Your PSA?
You’ve got 30 seconds.
Make us laugh. Make us think. Surprise us!
Client: Sacramento Area Sewer District
CLIENT: Sacramento Area Sewer District
The Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) is the Sacramento region’s sewage collection, treatment, and resource recovery utility–providing service to more than 1.6 million people. As California’s second-largest sewage utility, we own and operate more than 4,700 miles of sewer pipes, more than 100 pump stations, and the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility located near Elk Grove, California.
We provide service to residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout unincorporated Sacramento County; the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, and West Sacramento; and the communities of Courtland, Locke, and Walnut Grove. The services we provide vary based on the location within our service area.
SacSewer is interested in developing public awareness in the following topic areas.
Topic/Key Message: Sewer Problems? Call SacSewer First!
Focus: At SacSewer, we like it when our customers don’t have to think twice about the public sewer system. We’re the region’s sewage collection, treatment, and resource recovery utility, and our job is to get to your sewer problem before it interrupts your life. For us, providing excellent service isn’t optional—it’s our number one priority.
When SacSewer’s customers have a sewer problem (e.g., backup, overflow, slow drain, etc.), they should call us first—day or night—at (916) 875-6730. Our crews respond to sewer problems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year—including weekends and holidays. Our crews will determine if the problem is our responsibility or the customer’s to fix (learn more at SacSewer vs. customer responsibility). If it is SacSewer’s responsibility, we will correct the problem. If it is not, we will advise the customer on what to do next (e.g., call a plumber). Even if the problem is in the customer’s portion of the line, our service calls carry no additional cost to the customer. They are covered by the monthly sewer rates customers pay.
Commonly used tagline: It’s a dirty job, but we’re happy to do it!
This PSA should end with the SacSewer logo and the closing line: “Learn more at sacsewer.com.”
Resource: www.sacsewer.com/report-sewer-problem
Topic/Key Message: No Wipes in the Pipes
Focus: Wipes, rags, paper towels, and other damaging materials are being flushed into the sewer system, causing serious problems for SacSewer’s equipment and maintenance crews. Only toilet paper and human waste should be flushed—nothing else.
Why are wipes such a big problem? Disposable disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, and even wipes labeled as “flushable” are causing problems for sewer systems around the world. These products do not break down easily (or at all) once they are flushed. They often clog our pipes and jam our pumps, causing costly and messy sewer blockages and overflows. In areas where wipes and other materials are flushed regularly, increased monitoring, maintenance, and repair is often necessary. This results in higher operational costs, which are paid for by customers’ sewer rates. Bottom line: People who use wipes should put them in the trash, not in the toilet.
Commonly used tagline: Do the sewers a favor—trash the wipes, not the pipes!
This PSA should end with the SacSewer logo and the closing line: “Learn more at sacsewer.com.”
Resources, storyline, and character inspiration: www.stoptheclog.com
Topic/Key Message: Fats, Oils, and Grease
Focus: Fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G.) that find their way down the drain create a huge problem for sewer pipes. In fact, F.O.G. combined with roots in the sewer system can create massive clogs that cause more than half of SacSewer’s sewer backups and overflows! This can result in costly cleanup and repairs, as well as harmful environmental impacts.
The Stop the Clog program educates residential customers, property managers, and the food service industry to properly dispose of F.O.G.
What is the source of the problem? The majority of sewer backups and overflows caused by F.O.G. originate in residential areas. Some common sources of F.O.G. include the following:
- Meat
- Fatty food scraps
- Lard
- Salad dressings
- Creamy or oily sauces
- Marinades
- Milk and other dairy products
- Shortening
- Butter or margarine
- Peanut butter
You can help prevent clogs by properly disposing of F.O.G. Avoid the mess and keep your pipes flowing by following these simple steps in the kitchen:
- Can it: Once cooled, put hardened fats, oils and grease into a sturdy container—like a leftover soup can. Then, put the container in the garbage.
- Scrape it: Scrape all food scraps, including fatty and greasy leftovers, into the Organics cart, NOT down the drain.
- Pro tip! For used cooking oil—like what’s needed for deep-frying—check with your local waste service provider for proper disposal.
Resources, storyline, and character inspiration: www.stoptheclog.com
This PSA should end with the SacSewer logo and the closing line: “Learn more at sacsewer.com.”
Topic/Key Message: SacSewer Proud—Join Our Team
Focus: To successfully run our large, complex sewer system, it takes a diverse group of talented professionals. We have a longstanding reputation as an agency committed to customer service, and we regularly seek professionals who can help us deliver on our mission to the 1.6 million people we serve.
We employ a broad range of positions, including maintenance and operations crews, engineers, customer service representatives, administrative support, and numerous other professionals.
Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLPUOIRUNTE&t=12s
This PSA should end with the SacSewer logo and the closing line: “To learn more and apply for a SacSewer position, visit sacsewer.com/careers.”
Topic/Key Message: Don’t Flush Your Meds
To prevent misuse and keep medications from entering our waterways, please dispose of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications responsibly. Flushing unused or expired medications down the sink or toilet can pollute the environment.
Proper disposal is easy!
- Check for local disposal locations near you.
- Check for local take-back events.
- Check with your local pharmacy.
- Check with a nearby household hazardous waste facility.
Learn more about these options at dontflushyourmeds.com.
Resource: dontflushyourmeds.com
This PSA should end with the SacSewer logo and the closing line: “Learn more at sacsewer.com.”
Topic/Key Message: Harvest Water
SacSewer is committed to being a leader in environmental stewardship, which is demonstrated in many of our efforts. Through our sustainable efforts in resource recovery, we maximize the reuse of treatment process by-products such as biogas (energy), biosolids (nutrients), and the treated water itself—in the form of recycled water. In fact, our landmark recycled water project—Harvest Water—is a critical component to realizing SacSewer’s goal of increasing recycled water delivery in the Sacramento region.
Harvest Water, California’s largest agricultural water recycling project, will provide reliable, high-quality recycled water to agricultural lands and existing habitats in southern Sacramento County. When complete, Harvest Water will supply up to 50,000 acre-feet, which is roughly 16 billion gallons, of drought-resistant recycled water each year and bring other lasting benefits to the region.
Harvest Water will promote natural groundwater recovery, boost sustainable agriculture, and strengthen existing local habitats in southern Sacramento County, where declining groundwater levels in the past have impacted water sustainability and groundwater-dependent ecosystem health.
Resource: https://www.sacsewer.com/harvest-water/
This PSA should end with the SacSewer logo and the closing line: “Learn more at SacHarvestWater.org.”
End Graphics for the High School PSA Project
Please click here for SASD Slide.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can a student enter more than one video?
Answer: No, you can only submit one entry with your name as a producer.
Question: Can I contact the client and ask questions about my PSA idea.
Answer: No. Because of the number of students participating, we do not want to burden them with inquiries. The materials on this website should give you a clear idea of what the client wants. If you need additional directions, ask your teacher.
Question: Is the PSA running time flexible?
Answer: No. It must be exactly 30 seconds including a fade in/out.
Question: Do I put credits on it?
Answer: No. Like commercials, PSAs do not feature credits. If you need to include music credits as dictated by a Creative Commons license, then add that in a very small text at the bottom of the required graphic.
Question: Can I put my favorite pop song in my PSA.
Answer: No. You must follow the copyright law. Any music or sound effects must be used properly licensed.
Question: I still have questions.
Answer: Students with additional questions should ask their teacher. Teachers with questions can contact PSA Project coordinator Brad Clark at bnclark@egusd.net or Donna Girot, Executive Director, Access Sacramento at Execdir@AccessSacramento.org
Students with additional questions should ask their teacher. Teachers with questions can contact PSA Project Coordinator Brad Clark at bnclark@egusd.net or Donna Girot, Executive Director of Access Sacramento, at Execdir@AccessSacramento.org.
Congratulations to the past High School PSA Competition Winners!
Forty-three teen-produced PSAs were created and judged. Some rose to the top and will be aired on local cable television channels 17 & 18 and on Access Sacramento’s OTT platforms including Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.
Our most sincere thanks to our competition underwriters, the Sacramento Area Sewer District and the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District. Their Confluence Regional Partnership Grant includes public education programs that educate students, parents and general public through local area school educational efforts about good community water and sewer habits.