WASTEWATER CHAMPIONS

COMPETITION, ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, AND HANDS-ON KNOWLEDGE ARE GIVING RISE TO VALUE-ADDED WASTEWATER TREATMENTS THAT ARE POISED TO ELIMINATE WATER SCARCITY

- BY ANNE-FRANC

Who gives a crap about wastewater? In the daily lives of those of us in developed nations, not much attention is given to a routine flush until something goes awry. And when something is amiss with wastewater, it can range from a problem remedied with a quick fix to a serious public health or environmental crisis.

As it happens, a fascinating world of scientists, engineers, and water experts bring incredible knowledge, skill, and ingenuity to bear on ameliorating the dangers that poor water management creates, as well as revealing wastewater’s many beneficial secrets.

For 38 years, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) has hosted North America’s largest annual water quality technical expo and conference.

This year, Chicago’s McCormick Place was filled to the brim with water quality professionals seeking the finest education and training available in their discipline.

A highlight of the programming is the WEF Operations Challenge Competition, a rigorous two-day professional program cheekily disguised as “the Olympics of wastewater.” Admittedly, there’s plenty of diving (down simulated maintenance shafts) and racing (to fix a broken pump that’s gushing with who knows what).

Fast-paced timed events confront the bold with real-world problems found in wastewater treatment facilities, daring them to make fixes that can stand the ultimate test: reality. This year, participants including entrants from the U.K. and Denmark, took part in the fecal festivities to demonstrate their prowess at all experience levels.

While the Operations Challenge is a serious endeavor that brings together the best of the best wastewater operations pros to share best practices, new ideas, and technologies, it also brings the excitement, drama, camaraderie and rivalries of a major sport. For the challengers it really is a sport: highly respected, grueling, and at times outrageous.