During WEFTEC Connect, 27 teams of the wastewater sector’s most elite operators will compete remotely for the coveted title of Operations Challenge champions. For the first time, the annual skills competition — adapted to a new, socially distant format — will be available live to public spectators anywhere in the world.
“Crowds of cheering spectators on the exhibition floor have been a hallmark of Operations Challenge for more than 30 years,” said Jessica Rozek, who coordinates Operations Challenge for the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia). “While circumstances this year may be different, you will still be able to tune in live to root for your favorite teams. We are eager for the fans to experience this year’s competition during WEFTEC Connect.”
A New Twist on a Classic Competition
Besides watching online instead of along the sidelines, long-time Operations Challenge fans will notice several key differences in this year’s competition format. For one, each team will participate in three events out of the usual five: Process Control, Laboratory, and Collections Systems. Rules and procedures for these events have been modified such that only two team members will complete the trial at a time rather than the usual four. Teams will compete from their home facilities and livestream their runs for a team of judges, who will apply an adapted scoring system consistent with previous competitions.
Additionally, the WEF Operations Challenge Committee modified the methodology used to sort teams into divisions:
- This year, Division 1 teams will have up to four members, at least one of whom has competed in a previous competition. All members of the team must compete in at least one of the three events.
- In Division 2, two-member teams consisting of at least one former competitor take on the challenge.
- Finally, the new Division 3 features two-member teams, both of whom are competing in Operations Challenge for the first time.
Four Days of Action
After opening remarks from WEF President Jackie Jarrell and a pre-competition meeting for participants, the action begins with Process Control at 3:50 p.m. EDT on Monday, October 5. All teams will complete the event simultaneously, working from sealed test documents, until time expires at 5 p.m. EDT.
The competition continues Tuesday, October 6, and Wednesday, October 7, during which time each team will appear for an hour-long timeslot to complete the Laboratory and Collections Systems events. Teams will use their own equipment, arranged according to official Operations Challenge standards, during the events. Each team also will provide two video perspectives of themselves in action, giving spectators a better view of the wastewater sector’s top talents. The competition runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT on both days.
An Operations Challenge Awards Ceremony concludes the competition on Thursday, October 8, beginning at 5:30 p.m. EDT. Top teams from each division will be crowned Operations Challenge 2020 champions.
See when your favorite team is scheduled to compete — and tune in live beginning Monday, October 5 — at the link below:
September 30, 2020
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