May 27, 2026 – The Startex-Jackson-Wellford-Duncan (SJWD) Water District is proud to announce it has received the Award of Excellence in the 32nd Annual Communicator Awards from the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA) for its Mid-Century Waterworks Educational Series.

The Communicator Awards recognize excellence, effectiveness, and innovation across all areas of communication and attract thousands of entries from around the world each year. The program is one of the largest and most competitive of its kind, with past and current honorees including The Walt Disney Company, PepsiCo, and Marriott International. Entries are judged by leading communications professionals from organizations such as Netflix, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and the National Geographic Society.

SJWD’s Mid-Century Waterworks Educational Series celebrates the district’s mid-century roots through a creative visual style inspired by the design language of the 1950s and 1960s. The series uses bold, engaging artwork to tell the story of water in a way that sparks curiosity, encourages learning, and makes water education more accessible for audiences of all ages.

“This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects our commitment to educate and raise awareness via creative, innovative content. The Midcentury Modern series was designed with the character of our utility in mind; a mix of modern technology and environmental stewardship, deeply rooted in history and community,” said Jeff Diaz, SJWD Water District CISO. “Water is essential to our very existence, and delivery of clean, safe drinking water is rife with challenges and complexities. This engaging and visually compelling series was designed to help us demystify and tell the story.”

The educational series is part of SJWD’s broader effort to strengthen public outreach and create resources that inform, educate, and build trust with customers and community members.

 

 

 

About SJWD Water District

Originally established in 1956, Startex-Jackson-Wellford-Duncan Water District (SJWD), with its team of dedicated

professionals, is committed to providing the highest-quality water services to the rapidly growing western portion of

Spartanburg County. For more information, please visit SJWD.com.

 

About The Communicator Awards

The Communicator Awards recognize excellence, effectiveness, and innovation across all areas of communication. For

32 years, the platform has provided an equal opportunity for companies, agencies, organizations, and independent

creators to be honored, regardless of team size or project budget. The Communicator Awards is sanctioned and

reviewed by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA), an invitation-only body of over 1,100 industry leaders

from top brands and agencies. For more, visit aiva.org.