Wastewater Operations Professionals To Showcase Skills At WEFTEC 2012

25th annual Operations Challenge will take place next month in New Orleans, La.

More than 200 highly talented wastewater operations and maintenance professionals will compete in Operations Challenge 2012, a unique, fast-paced skills competition this fall in New Orleans, La. Now in its 25th year, the one-of-a-kind event will take place October 1–3, 2012 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

This year, a total of 38 four-member teams will compete in two divisions and be judged on the best combination of precision, speed and safety. Winners are determined by a weighted point system for five events including collection systems, laboratory, process control, maintenance and safety. The events are designed to test the diverse skills required for the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities, their collection systems and laboratories.

“Too often these hardworking professionals are the unsung heroes of our communities.  The work they do to reclaim contaminated water and ensure its safe return to the environment is absolutely critical to maintaining public health and prosperity,” said Operations Challenge Committee Chair John Trofatter. “This competition is a way for us to bring the work they do to the surface.”

The Virginia Water Environment Association’s Terminal Velocity, representing the cities of Franklin and Virginia Beach, will seek its third consecutive title. The team will compete against the top regional teams from the United States, Canada and Argentina (see complete list below). For the first time, the competition will include a team from Louisiana—the Rajun Cajuns, representing the Lafayette Utilities System.

Operations Challenge is presented in conjunction with WEFTEC 2012, the Water Environment Federation’s 85th Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference. As the largest annual water quality conference and exhibition in the world, WEFTEC 2012 will be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center from September 29 to October 3, 2012. Visit www.weftec.org for the latest conference details.

About WEF
Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF members, Member Associations and staff proudly work to achieve our mission to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide. For more information, visit www.wef.org.

Operations Challenge 2012 Teams

• AIDIS Argentina AySA MCA
• Arkansas Water Environment Association Mixed Liquors
• British Columbia Water & Waste Association Canadian Cross Connection
• California Water Environment Association LA Wrecking Crew
• California Water Environment Association North Bay Ryders
• Central States Water Environment Association Pumpers
• Central States Water Environment Association Shovelers
• Chesapeake Water Environment Association Capital Flow
• Florida Water Environment Association GRU
• Hawaii Water Environment Association Septic Soljahs
• Indiana Water Environment Association SIOA Sanitizers
• Louisiana Water Environment Association Rajun Cajuns
• Michigan Water Environment Association Brown Trout
• New England Water Environment Association Force Maine
• New England Water Environment Association Masserators
• New England Water Environment Association Seacoast Sewer Snakes
• New England Water Environment Association VorTechs
• New Jersey Water Environment Association Jersey Devils
• New York Water Environment Association Brown Tide
• New York Water Environment Association Harlem Pumptrotters
• North Carolina Water Environment Association Flow Motion
• Ohio Water Environment Association Regulators
• Ohio Water Environment Association Wastewater Rangers
• Water Environment Association of Ontario Sludge Hammers
• Water Environment Association of Ontario OCWA Jets
• Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association River Rangers
• Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association Poo Fighters
• Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association PRASA Puerto Rico
• Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association Commode Commandos
• Water Environment Association of South Carolina Liquid Force
• Water Environment Association of South Carolina Re-Wa Blackwater Bruisers
• Water Environment Association of Texas Aqua Techs
• Water Environment Association of Texas Dillo XXPress
• Water Environment Association of Texas TRA CReWSers
• Water Environment Association of Utah Wasted Gas
• Water Environment Association of Utah Wasatch All Stars
• Virginia Water Environment Association Team HRSD
• Virginia Water Environment Association Terminal Velocity