Members of the TRA CReWSers are: David Brown, Dale Burrow, Raudel Juarez, Quintin Winters, and Jake Burwell (coach). Members of Aqua Techs are: Edward Burrell (coach), Kevin Willey (captain), 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 hardworking teams from the U.S., Canada, and Argentina and Denmark.
Over the past 30 years, 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
Second Place: L.A. Wrecking Crew
California Water Environment Association
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, Whittier, Calif.
Third Place: OCWA Jets
Water Environment Association of Ontario
Ontario Clean Water Agency, Stratford, Ontario
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, N.Y.
Third Place: Controlled Chaos
Water Environment Association of South Carolina
Mount Pleasant Waterworks, Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Media contact: Travis Loop, 703.684.2465
