Two teams representing the Water Environment Association of Texas from Texas, United States (U.S.) clinched first place in their respective divisions during the 30th annual Operations Challenge competition. TRA CReWSers won in Division 1, and Aqua Techs took home the top prize in Division 2. The fun-filled, high-energy event took place at WEFTEC 2017, the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) 90th annual technical exhibition and conference, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
David Brown, Dale Burrow, Raudel Juarez, Quintin Winters, and Jake Burwell, the coach, made up TRA CReWSers are. On the other hand, Aqua Techs consisted of Edward Burrell, the coach, captain Kevin Willey, Ryan Brunette, Christian Mendez, and Ernesto Romero.
One of the most anticipated events during WEFTEC, Operations Challenge is a unique and fast-paced test of the essential skills needed to operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, their collection systems, and laboratories – all vital to the protection of public health and the environment. This year’s competition included 44 teams from the U.S., Canada, Argentina, and Denmark.
Over the past three decades, the Operations Challenge has steadily grown from the original 22-team event to this year’s 44-team, two-division format. Teams are judged on the best combination of precision, speed, and safety. The winners are determined by a weighted point system for five events including collection systems, laboratory, maintenance, safety, and process control. This year’s process control event was revised to include the installation of an Insetra Tee compression fitting, provided by Advanced Drainage Systems.
Winners in both divisions include:
Division 1
First Place: TRA CReWSers
Water Environment Association of Texas
Trinity River Authority, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Second Place: L.A. Wrecking Crew
California Water Environment Association
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, Whittier, California, U.S.
Third Place: OCWA Jets
Water Environment Association of Ontario
Ontario Clean Water Agency, Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Division 2
First Place: Aqua Techs
Water Environment Association of Texas
Dallas Water Utilities, Dallas, Texas
Second Place: Jamaica Sludge Hustlers
New York Water Environment Association
New York Department of Environmental Protection, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Third Place: Controlled Chaos
Water Environment Association of South Carolina
Mount Pleasant Waterworks, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, U.S.
