The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and The Water Research Foundation have launched the fourth Intelligent Water Systems Challenge to spur the increased use of technology and data to address some of the most difficult issues faced by the water industry.
For the Intelligent Water Systems Challenge, teams assemble from utilities, engineering firms, technology companies, and universities and then work to develop innovative solutions for specific scenarios. This year, the scenarios focus on collection systems, wastewater treatment systems, drinking water treatment systems, source water, and distribution networks.
A panel of water professionals will evaluate submissions, identify teams for the finals, select winners at WEF’s Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC), which will be held 8-12 Oct 2022 in New Orleans. The winning team will receive a cash award of US$10,000. In addition, Xylem will be awarding $2,500 for the “Most Elegant Solution”.
Jamie Eichenberger, president of WEF, commented: “The Intelligent Water Systems Challenge provides professionals and students with the opportunity to collaborate together and help utilities solve existing problems. The competition showcases the value of intelligent water systems to utilities and fosters the adoption of technology that harnesses the power of data, which is critical to our sector.”
The Intelligent Water Systems Challenge is hosted by LIFT, a joint effort by WEF and The Water Research Foundation, and is supported by the American Water Works Association, BlueTech Research, Cleveland Water Alliance, IEEE Smart Cities R&D Committee, International Society of Automation Water and Wastewater Industries Division, Smart Water Networks Forum, and The Water Council. To date, more than $80,000 in prize money has been awarded and 116 teams have participated.
