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Posted On: 09/23/2004

“Wastewater Olympics” test skills of operations, maintenance pros

What happens behind the scenes at a wastewater-treatment facility? How do operators and technicians overcome flooding, a sewer collapse and other emergencies? These are the kinds of questions addressed at Operations Challenge 2004, a unique, fast-paced skills competition for wastewater operations and maintenance professionals.

This year more than 200 of the top wastewater-treatment professionals from across America will compete in the Challenge on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Each four-member team will be judged on the best combination of precision, speed and safety. Winners are determined by a weighted point system for five events — including collection systems, laboratory, process control, maintenance and safety.

New England's Crustaceans repair
a submersible 5-hp pump in the
ITT-Flygt maintenance event during
Operations Challenge 2002.







Each event is designed to test the diverse skills required for the operation and maintenance of wastewater-treatment facilities, their collection systems and laboratories. This year’s competition also will feature a revised safety event. Teams will rescue an unconscious colleague from a confined space. After testing the atmosphere, they will assemble entry rescue equipment, ventilate the space and descend from a training platform to perform the rescue.

Operations Challenge 2004 will take place during WEFTEC.04, the Water Environment Federation’s 77th annual technical conference and exhibition (October 2-6). WEFTEC.04 will feature over 15,000 water-quality experts and 800 exhibiting companies. For more information, visit www.weftec.org.