'Operations Challenge' competition brings wastewater treatment to the surface

ALEXANDRIA, VA, Sept. 16, 2008 -- Do you ever wonder what happens behind the scenes at a wastewater treatment plant or how professionals deal with emergencies like a sewer collapse or overflow? Well, wonder no more. More than 200 of the world's best and brightest wastewater treatment professionals will compete in Operations Challenge 2008, a unique, fast-paced skills competition for wastewater operations and maintenance professionals. Now celebrating its 21st year, the one-of-a-kind competition will take place Tuesday, October 20, 2008 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill.

Growing from an original 22-team event to its current 43-team, two division format, 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. The events are designed to test the diverse skills required for the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities, their collection systems and laboratories -- all vital to the protection of public health and the environment.

The current champions, the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association's Commode Commandos, will defend their title against the top regional teams (see full list below) from the United States, Canada, and Argentina. Three local teams are among the competitors in this year's event, including Chicago's own Illinois Water Environment Association's Windy City Wizards, Central States Water Environment Association Pumpers, and Central States Water Environment Association Shovelers.

Operations Challenge is presented in conjunction with WEFTEC®.08, the Water Environment Federation's 81st annual technical exhibition and conference. The first event kicks off on Tuesday, October 21, at 9:15 am in Hall C2 of McCormick Place.

As the largest water quality event in North America and largest annual water quality exhibition in the world, WEFTEC.08 is expected to host more than 18,000 of the world's leading water quality experts and 1,000 companies featuring the latest in water quality technology. WEFTEC.08 will be held at McCormick Place from October 18-22, 2008.

>> More information on WEFTEC.08

Operations Challenge 2008 Teams
AIDIS Argentina Todo Terreno
Arkansas Water Environment Association LRWU Connection
British Columbia Water and Waste Association Canadian Cross Connection
California Water Environment Association L.A. Wrecking Crew
California Water Environment Association North Bay Ryders
California Water Environment Association SRCSD Interceptors
Central States Water Environment Association Pumpers
Central States Water Environment Association Shovelers
Chesapeake Water Environment Association Centrifugal Force
Florida Water Environment Association Lauderdale Knights
Hawaii Water Environment Association Maui Reclaimers
Illinois Water Environment Association Windy City Wizards
Indiana Water Environment Association Mr. Hankey's Crew
Michigan Water Environment Association Midland Microbes
Missouri Water Environment Association Cross Connection Saints
Nevada Water Environment Association Reno/Sparks Rattlers
New England Water Environment Association Fecal Matters
New England Water Environment Association Force Maine
New England Water Environment Association Seacoast Sewer Snakes
New Jersey Water Environment Association Cape Shore Workers
New York Water Environment Association Bowery Bay Boys
New York Water Environment Association Brown Tide
North Carolina Water Environment Association Weirwolves
Ohio Water Environment Association s.C.R.A.P.P.E.R.S.
Ohio Water Environment Association Silly Eights
Water Environment Association of Ontario OCWA Jets
Water Environment Association of Ontario Sludge Hammers
Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association River Rangers
Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association Toxic Force
Pennsylvania Water Environment Association DELCORA Loonatics
Pennsylvania Water Environment Association Die-Jesters
Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association Aurora's Ascending Aerobes
Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association Commode Commandos
Water Environment Association of South Carolina Influents
Water Environment Association of South Carolina Liquid Force
Water Environment Association of Texas Aqua Techs
Water Environment Association of Texas Power SAWS
Water Environment Association of Texas TRA CReWSers
Water Environment Association of Utah Wasatch All Stars
Water Environment Association of Utah Wasted Gas
Virginia Water Environment Association Terminal Velocity
Virginia Water Environment Association Team HRSD

Formed in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 35,000 individual members and 81 affiliated Member Associations representing an additional 50,000 water quality professionals throughout the world. WEF and its member associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment.

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