Student Design Competition

Putting Wastewater and Environmental Designs to the Test

The Student Design Competition (SDC) 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.

25 teams from 4 countries and representing 19 WEF Member Associations competed in the WEFTEC 2022 Student Design Competition on October 9th, 2022 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana. Explore the event brochure for the day-of schedule, team members and project abstracts.

Winners of the 2022 Student Design Competition are as follow:

Water Environment Category:

1st: University of Waterloo (WEA Ontario)

2nd: SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (NYWEA)

3rd: University of South Florida (FWEA)

4th: Illinois Institute of Technology (IWEA)

Wastewater Category:

1st: The University of Texas at Austin (WEAT)

2nd: The Univeristy of British Columbia (BCWWA)

3rd: North Carolina State University (NC One Water)

4th: Costa Rica Institute of Technology (Central States)

2022 WEFTEC Student Design Competition Sponsored by:

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.

WEF Student Design Competition Resources:

Design Competition Guidelines (as of 2023)
[SAMPLE] Design Team Entry Form (as of 2023)
[SAMPLE] Abstract Submission Form (and Executive Summary/In-Progress Report requirements) (as of 2023)
Competition Historical Information (team and sponsor participation)
Toolkit for Starting a Student Design Competition
Ideas for Attending WEFTEC on the Dime (as of 2021)

Competitions

The WEF Student Design Competition hosts two different competitions 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.

Benefits

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

Results

Congratulations to past winners of the WEF Student Design Competition!

Year	Wastewater Design	Environmental Design
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)

Questions

Questions about the Student Design Competition?

Stephanie Castro-Sanchez
Design Competition Subcommittee Co-Chair
[email protected]

Annie Sager
Design Competition Subcommittee Co-Chair
[email protected]

Brad Lovett
Manager, WEF Student Programs
[email protected]