About 70 students built functional miniature water towers at the University of North Florida on Oct. 24.

St. Johns County Utilities sent staff to judge and recruit at the 2026 Region II Model Water Tower Competition, hosted by the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA), according to a county announcement. The competition challenged middle and high school students to design towers judged on structural and hydraulic efficiency, materials and cost, and design ingenuity.

Larry Miller, assistant director of St. Johns County Utilities, judged the artistic merit category, evaluating creativity, colors and themes students worked into their designs. Towers ranged from colorful characters and fairy-tale structures to designs inspired by popular movies, the county said.

"The creativity these students brought to their designs was impressive. It was exciting to see their personalities shine through while applying engineering principles to a real-world challenge," Miller said in the announcement. "Experiences like this can spark an interest in careers that help serve and strengthen our communities."

St. Johns County Utilities was one of three utility providers hosting informational tables at the event. Staff talked with students and families about engineering careers in the water industry, utility services and conservation practices. Students also took part in an interactive water conservation pledge activity.

The competition drew students from across FSAWWA's Region II, which covers Northeast Florida counties including Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau, First Coast Observer reported. Which specific schools sent teams was not detailed in either the county's announcement or First Coast Observer's coverage.

The county said its participation supports the St. Johns County Strategic Plan's emphasis on strengthening community partnerships and cultivating a skilled future workforce through educational outreach.

Competition results and whether any teams advanced to a statewide contest were not included in the county's announcement.