2024 Intelligent Water Systems Challenge

The 2024 Intelligent Water Systems Challenge has officially begun! Please continue reading for more information, including relevant dates, official documents, and more.

CHALLENGE PLANS ARE DUE 20 MAY 2024 - CLICK HERE FOR THE SUBMISSION PORTAL.

Background

Today’s water industry operates complex treatment, collection, and distribution systems to protect public and ecological health. These systems are increasingly instrumented to monitor key process indicators and other parameters to facilitate operations.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and Water Research Foundation (WRF) are holding the Intelligent Water Systems Challenge to demonstrate the value to utilities of these “intelligent water systems”. The Challenge seeks to foster the adoption of smart water technologies by showcasing the ability of intelligent water systems to effectively leverage data for better decisions.

Recognizing big data can be used to address complex issues such as stormwater management, flooding, aging infrastructure, distribution system water quality, CSOs, SSOs, process optimization, and asset management, the IWS Challenge is looking to demonstrate the value of intelligent water systems to utilities.

The Challenge allows students, professionals, and technology aficionados to showcase their talents and innovation, with a focus on leveraging data using the best available tools to help utilities better understand the dynamics of complex systems and make better decisions.

Challenge Documents

2024 Challenge Timeline

  • January 22 - Challenge Launch
  • April 15 - Webcast for Interested Participants in the IWS Challenge
  • April 29 - Team Registration Deadline
  • May 20 - Challenge Plan Deadline - Click here to be taken to the submission portal!
  • July 29 - Challenge Solution Deadline
  • September 2 - Finalists notified
  • October 7 - Finalist presentations and awards ceremony at WEFTEC 2024

Questions?
Contact Kira Bhattarai of WEF.

Related Areas

Latest News
Latest News
2024 in Review: This Year’s Top Five Stormwater Report Stories
See more
Help WEF Assess State of U.S. Stormwater Sector by Dec. 31
See more
Exploring Why Hurricanes (Sometimes) Intensify So Quickly
See more
ProFlex™ Check Valves Defend Camp Lemonnier
See more
Wef Announces National Ms4 Award Recipients
See more
Upcoming WEF Events
Upcoming WEF Events
AWWA/WEF Utility Management Conference 2025
See more
Joint Conference: Residuals & Biosolids and Innovations in Treatment Technology
See more
WEF Webcasts
See 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

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