Behind the Flow Photo Contest
Entries for 2026 are now closed

2027 Behind the Flow Photo Contest
The Annual Alliance of Indiana Rural Water Photo Contest
Help AIRW showcase the full story of rural water and wastewater in Indiana. Our members know firsthand the incredible effort it takes to provide clean, safe drinking water across the state—from their teams’ dedication to the remarkable sources and technology behind the scenes. The Behind the Flow Photo Contest lets us share that story with the wider public and highlight the people, places, and processes that make it all possible.
Contest Details
Prizes
- A winner in each of the three categories will receive a $100 CASH PRIZE!
- Each category winner’s photo will be featured in the 2028 AIRW Training Calendar, along with a spotlight in Hoosier Pipeline, AIRW’s biannual membership magazine.
- The top photos in each category will be displayed at the 2028 AIRW Annual Fall Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for in-person and digital voting during the week of the event. Each finalist will receive a printed photo to take home after the conference.
Eligibility and Other Considerations
- Contestants must be Alliance members.
- All photos must be taken in Indiana.
- Landscape orientation is preferred because it works best for calendar images.
- Contestants may submit multiple photos in one or more categories, but each contestant may win only one first-place prize.
- Previously published material for which non-exclusive rights were granted may be entered as long as you still retain full rights to the photo.
- Photos must be submitted digitally in a high-resolution format of at least 300 dpi.
- All submitted photos may be featured in AIRW training and program materials, on our website, and on social media.
DISCLAIMER: By participating in this contest, entrants acknowledge that they grant the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water permission to use, reproduce, distribute, and display their submitted photographs for promotional and advertising purposes.
Behind the Flow Photo Contest Winners
Celebrate the people, places, and infrastructure behind Indiana’s water and wastewater systems. Select a year below to view our winners.
Rural Indiana Water

Dustin Fotney – City of Warren
Water Infrastructure

Sandy Gates – Town of Thorntown
Workers in Action

William Jones – Town of Edinburgh
Rural Indiana Water

Anthony Newcomer – Akron, IN
Water Infrastructure

Corey Liming – Dubois, IN
Operators in Action

Tim Lindewald – Knox, IN
Rural Indiana Water

Michelle Hutte – Bargersville, IN
Water Infrastructure

Lee Poulson – Warren, IN
Utility Operators in Action

Dan Holder – Middlebury
Contestants agree to release their photographs for use by AIRW, and the winning contestants in each category will receive prizes.
Questions and Inquiries
If you have questions about the contest or rules, call 317-789-4200 or email cwarner@inh2o.org with the subject line Photo Contest Inquiry.
Photo Categories
Rural Indiana Water
Capture the beauty and importance of water in rural Indiana. Photos may feature rivers, lakes, reservoirs, water sources, or rural landscapes and communities connected to the water our utilities protect and provide.
Water Infrastructure
Showcase the systems that make safe water and wastewater treatment possible. From water towers and treatment plants to pipes, pumps, hydrants, and other equipment, highlight the infrastructure behind this essential work.
Workers in Action
Put the people behind the flow in the spotlight. Capture water and wastewater professionals operating equipment, collecting samples, making repairs, responding to emergencies, or carrying out the everyday work that keeps communities safe and systems running.
How to Enter
Entry period:
November 1, 2026–August 31, 2027
Email your photos to:
cwarner@inh2o.org
Subject line:
2027 Behind the Flow Photo Contest
Include with your submission:
- Photographer’s name
- Location where the photo was taken
- Contest category
Submit digital, high-resolution photos of at least 300 dpi. Landscape orientation is preferred for calendar use.
You may enter multiple photos in one or more categories. Each contestant may win only one first-place prize.
Please review the Contest Details for eligibility requirements and photo-use information.
Three categories. Three winners.
$100 cash prize for each winner!