Walk of Water Photostory Contest 2026: Out of Sight ($9,000 prize pool) – YOA

Deadline: November 20, 2026

Applications are open for the Walk of Water Photostory Contest 2026: Out of Sight. This sixth version’s theme, “Out of Sight,” spans the complete breadth of water and well being, how water shapes well being, longevity and nicely-being, and shines its brightest mild on the part no one images: wastewater.

Dignified bathrooms, clear rivers, and the injury untreated sewage causes to folks and ecosystems. It additionally consists of the largely unseen work of wastewater surveillance: gathering samples, analyzing what communities flush away and what’s circulating in the neighborhood, detecting rising well being and ecosystem threats, and turning proof into early motion for animal, folks and environmental safety. These are tales that nearly by no means get photographed, as a result of no one commissions them. That’s the guts of Out of Sight, and the place this version’s principal prize is aimed.

Themes

But the theme is wider than the pipe. Any story about water and well being belongs right here: the river that cools a metropolis, the ritual tub, the swimming lesson, the river that quietly reveals the pathogens circulating by a group, the faucet that lastly runs secure. All of it’s Out of Sight territory, and all of it may be chosen, exhibited and printed.

Photo tales ought to obtain a number of of the next:

• Showcase optimistic options in wastewater administration — from nature-primarily based therapy techniques to round, useful resource-restoration improvements that flip wastewater challenges into alternatives.
• Explore ecosystem well being, displaying how clear wetlands, rivers, lakes, and coasts assist public well being, habitable cities, illness prevention, and sustainable fisheries and livelihoods.
• Reveal wastewater surveillance in motion, from sampling at therapy crops, drains, hospitals, airports and different transport hubs to laboratory evaluation, knowledge interpretation and public-well being response. Stories could present how wastewater helps detect pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and different rising threats whereas defending communities with out testing each particular person.
• Expose the hidden price of polluted water, from untreated wastewater in rivers, lakes and coastlines to invisible threats comparable to pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and PFAS, and their toll on ecosystems, biodiversity and human well being, together with illness outbreaks linked to poor sanitation.
• Celebrate the psychological-well being, non secular, and cultural worth of blue areas, revealing water’s position in reflection, ritual, and group life.
• Document secure consuming water, sanitation, and hygiene as the inspiration of wholesome lives — throughout properties, workplaces, colleges, sports activities venues, and care services.
• Spotlight sports activities and energetic residing in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, coasts, and group pitches, together with accountable water and sanitation administration at main occasions.

Prizes

• Beyond the prize cash: the strongest tales of the version, wastewater or not, are proven within the 2027 Walk of Water exhibitions and printed with our media companions worldwide.
• Total prize pool is US$9,000 

Eligibility

• Open to people and organisations of all ages and nationalities. Entrants below 18 want a dad or mum or guardian to co-signal the photograph licence. Employees of the organisers and sponsors, jury members, and their instant households usually are not eligible for prizes.
• Entries have to be the unique work of the participant and should not plagiarise or infringe any mental-property rights. Where identifiable folks seem — particularly kids — the participant confirms they’ve obtained the mandatory consent.
• This is a pictures contest: photos created or altered with generative AI will likely be disqualified. Standard changes (publicity, shade, cropping, mud elimination) are permitted; including or eradicating image content material isn’t.
• Up to a few photograph tales per participant; no a couple of prize per participant.

Application

Each submission should embody:

• Photos: 5–10 images that inform a narrative (.jpg, at the very least 10 megapixels — lengthy aspect 3,872 px or extra; sRGB really helpful).
• Story: a story (2500–8000 characters) that tells the story behind the pictures.
• Captions: quantity every photograph and add a brief caption (30–300 characters). Example: 1 – The Po River supplies consuming water, irrigation, and habitat for wildlife. 2 – A heron stands on the riverbank. 3 – …
• Signed photograph license: Entrants below 18: have a dad or mum or guardian co-signal.

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to Walk of Water Photostory Contest.