By: Virgil Viernes, PWO Representative
Aloha All,
The Water Environment Federation Technical and Exhibition Conference (WEFTEC) 2023 was just held in Chicago, IL. At the McCormick Place Convention Center. One of the highlights of WEFTEC is the Operations Challenge with a total of 55 teams competing, the most in history. Five of these teams were from foreign countries – Germany, Finland, Colombia, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.
Teams came with great enthusiasm, competitive spirit, professionalism, and camaraderie. Each pushing other teams and fellow team members while being supportive of all efforts to completing the different events. The Operations Challenge teams are composed of four members competing in five events to earn the highest score in the different events. Several of these teams were of blended gender and a smaller amount were composed solely of females. Some of these blended and all female teams placed within the top three of the individual events.
Team scores are determined by the accuracy of tasks performed and the time used to complete the event. Time penalties are provided for each item not completed and inaccuracies. These five events are designed to test the diverse skills required for the daily routine operation and maintenance of treatment facilities, collection systems
and laboratories.
Operations Challenge is separated into three different competing Divisions, I, II and III.
The following are the criteria for each Division:
Division I:
Top nine competing teams from the previous year. Overall top three teams from Division II from the previous year.
Division II:
Team not qualified for Division I.
Over top three teams from Division III from previous year.
Division III:
New team for two consecutive years, where at least three members did not participate in two previous WEFTEC Operations Challenge.
As the HWEA currently has a single Member Association (MA) Representative, only one team will be able to earn the opportunity to compete at WEFTEC, unless the teams compete at a different Divisions. The HWEA has not had a competing representative team for several years, therefore the upcoming sole HWEA Team would be registered to compete in Division III. All members of an Operations Challenge Team must be current members of WEF and the HWEA.
Following is the internet link to the WEFTEC Operations Challenge website:
https://www.weftec.org/attend/operations-challenge
The Annual Pacific Water Conference is scheduled for February 21-22 of 2024 with the Pre-Conference on February 20.
For those interested in the Operations Challenge or have questions, please contact Virgil Viernes at:
virgil.viernes@watertectonics.com
(808) 500-8076