Commode Commandos Win Operations Challenge 2007

San Diego, Ca. – The Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association’s Commode Commandos captured the first-place trophy during yesterday’s Operations Challenge competition at WEFTEC®.07 in San Diego, Calif. Coached by Leonard Robb, the team of Captain Stacey Walker, Chong Woo, Brian Pritekel, and Caleb Vannice defeated reigning champions the WEA of Texas’ Trinity River Authority (TRA) CReWSers and 38 other teams from the United States and Canada to take top honors during the fast-paced, full-day event. Full competition results include:

Division 1

First Place: Commode Commandos – Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association

Second Place: Hampton Roads Sanitation Districts Team HRSD - Virginia Water Environment Association

Third Place: Trinity River Authority CReWSers - Water Environment Association of Texas

Division 2

First Place: Force Maine – New England Water Environment Association

Second Place: Brown Tide – New York Water Environment Association

Third Place: Ft. Worth Regulators - Water Environment Association of Texas

Celebrating its 20th year, Operations Challenge has grown from an original 22-team event to its current 40-team, two division format, each four-member team will 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 - all vital to the protection of public health and the environment.

Operations Challenge is presented in conjunction with WEFTEC®.07 - the Water Environment Federation’s 80th annual technical exhibition and conference. Recognized as the largest water quality event in North America and largest annual water quality exhibition in the world, WEFTEC.07 annually hosts more than 18,000 water quality professionals and 1,000 exhibiting companies for five days - October 13 through 17 - of technical education, information exchange and networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.weftec.org.