Student Design Competition

PLEASE COMPLETE THE WEFTEC 2023 SDC ENTRY/ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FORM (DEADLINE: JUNE 1)

The WEF Student Design Competition promotes real-world design experience for students interested in pursuing education and careers in water and wastewater engineering and science. As a program of WEF’s Students and Young Professionals Committee (SYPC), the competition tasks individuals or teams of students to prepare and present a design that helps solve a water quality issue.


View the program from the 2022 Student Design Competiton 

The competition begins at the Member Association (MA) level. Each MA is encouraged to develop their own Student Design Competition based on a chosen design problem or allow student teams to bring problems they are currently working on. The competition concludes each year at WEFTEC. 

About the Competition

The competition hosts two different categories at WEFTEC:

  • Wastewater Design: The Wastewater Design Competition is intended to include design projects that traditionally address a challenge within a water resource recovery facility, e.g. hydraulic capacity design, upgrades to existing treatment systems, biosolids handling, etc.
  • Water Environment Design: The Environmental Design Competition is intended to include design projects that address challenges within the broader water environment, e.g. water reuse, stormwater management, wetland construction, etc.

Both the Wastewater and Water Environment Design Competitions follow the same guidelines and scoring system.

There are many benefits to participating in the WEF Student Design Competition. At the competition, participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Network with students and industry leaders from across the world.
  • Gain professional experience and exposure.
  • Highlight their skills and enthusiasm for the water environment.
  • Participate in WEFTEC activities tailored to students and young professionals.

Questions about the Student Design Competition?

Jennifer Warren
Design Competition Subcommittee Co-Chair
jnwarren@burnsmcd.com 

Jennifer Loconsole
Design Competition Subcommittee Co-Chair
LoconsoleJ@bv.com 

Brad Lovett
Manager, WEF Student Programs
blovett@wef.org 

2022 WEFTEC Student Design Competition Sponsors

GHDBlackLogo_2020.jpg   

          

WEF Student Design Competition Resources

Whether you are looking to start a Student Design Competition or have been invited to attend the National Student Design Competition at WEFTEC, the resources on this page will help answer many of your questions about the competition.

Past Winners

Congratulations to past winners of the WEF Student Design Competition!

 

Year

Wastewater Design

Environmental Design

2022

The University of Texas, Austin

University of Waterloo
2021

Clemson University

California State Polytechnic University
2020 Colorado School of Mines

University of Guelph

2019 University of Colorado, Boulder University of British Columbia

2018

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of British Columbia

2017  

University of Colorado, Boulder    

University of Guelph

2016

Southern Methodist University

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

2015

Southern Methodist University

North Dakota State University

2014

University of South Florida

University of British Columbia

2013

University of South Florida

University of British Columbia

2012

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of South Florida

2011

University of Wyoming

University of Florida

2010

Southern Methodist University

University of Florida

2009

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of Florida

View Results From Past Competitions (2002 - 2018)

Related Areas

Latest News
Latest News
Water Environment Federation Announces 2023 Award Honorees
See more
Water Utilities Recognized as Industry and Community Leaders in Solving Water Challenges
See more
Infrastructure Inventories Help Cities Compare Stormwater Strategies
See more
Los Angeles Captures 10,000+ Acre-Feet From Tropical Storm Hilary
See more
Researchers Report New Insights Into Post-Wildfire Flash Floods
See more
Upcoming WEF Events
Upcoming WEF Events
Cooling Tower Water Management and Best Practices
See more
Integrated Planning in Action
See more
Wastewater Disease Surveillance Summit
See more

Student Design Competition News

Awards
Teams from University of British Columbia, University of Colorado Win 2019 Student Design Competition

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) proudly announces students from the University of British Columbia and University of Colorado as winners of the 2019 Student ...

Continue Reading
Design
University of British Columbia and University of Colorado Teams Win Student Design Competition

The WEF Students and Young Professionals Committee welcomed 22 schools representing 20 Member Associations and 3 countries to the Student Design Competition on ...

Continue Reading
Industrial Water Resources
Teams from Rocky Mountain and Ontario Associations Earn Top Prizes in Student Design Competition

Earlier this month, the judges of the 2020 WEF Student Design Competition chose winners in two categories from among the 27 universities that participated. This ...

Continue Reading
Design
Texas and Ontario Teams Take Student Design Competition

On Sunday, October 9, the WEF Students and Young Professionals Committee welcomed 25 teams from 21 schools spanning 4 countries and representing 19 Member ...

Continue Reading

Operations

From hands-on-training and leadership opportunities, such as Operations Challenge, to online training, such as the Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals series, WEF provides operators with many opportunities to advance on-the-job knowledge and develop their careers.

Learn More

Water & Wastewater Treatment

More than 16,000 publicly owned water resource recovery facilities operate in the United States. Skilled engineers and operators work together to ensure new and updated facilities continue to protect public health and the environment.

Learn More

Biosolids Resource Recovery

Through biosolids management, solid residue from wastewater treatment is processed to reduce or eliminate pathogens and minimize odors, forming a safe, beneficial agricultural product. Biosolids are carefully monitored and must be used in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Learn More

Industrial Water Resources

Industries treat and reuse wastewater and process water as well as provide environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment while reducing costs and maintaining value for their businesses.

Learn more

Utility Management

To respond to myriad daily challenges faced by water and wastewater utility leaders, WEF continuously works with its members and partners to develop a variety of management initiatives; resources; and educational, training, and networking opportunities.

Learn more

Government & Regulatory Affairs

WEF advocacy activities aim to educate WEF members and the water sector on public policy issues related to water quality and resources and equip them to play a greater role in water policy discussions.

Learn more

Collection Systems and Conveyance

The system of underground pipes and maintenance structures that convey wastewater has brought dramatic improvements to public health. Most sewers carry wastes from households and commercial establishments and are referred to as sanitary sewers.

Learn more

Stormwater & Watershed Management

Take a comprehensive look at how all water resources, including uplands, drainage basins, wetlands, stormwater, surface water, and groundwater interact.

Learn more

Public Health

The water sector and its systems protect public and ecological health. Using the data that can be collected through smart water technologies provides additional insights to address complex public health issues.

Learn more

Join or Renew Your WEF Membership Today

Connect with our community of water professionals who ensure that our local communities have access to clean water that protects public health. Explore our member benefits and find the membership type that’s right for you.

Join or Renew Online