San Diego To Host Unique 'Wastewater Olympics'

Do you ever wonder what it takes to work in a wastewater treatment plant or deal with emergencies like a sewer collapse or overflow? Well, wonder no more. Over 200 of the world’s best and brightest wastewater treatment professionals will compete in Operations Challenge 2007, a unique, fast-paced skills competition for wastewater operations and maintenance professionals. Now celebrating its 20th year, the one-of-a-kind “Wastewater Olympics” will take place Tuesday, October 16 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.

Growing from an original 22-team event to its current 40-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 Water Environment Federation of Texas’ Trinity River Authority (TRA) CReWSers, will defend their title for the second year in a row against 40 teams from the United States and Canada including four teams from California - the Folsom Breakout, L.A. Wrecking Crew, North Bay Ryders and SRCSD Interceptors.

Operations Challenge is presented in conjunction with WEFTEC®.07 - the Water Environment Federation’s 80th annual technical exhibition and conference. The first event kicks off on Tuesday, October 16, at 9:15 am in the Sails Pavilion of the San Diego Convention Center.

Recognized as the largest water quality event in North America and largest annual water quality exhibition in the world, WEFTEC.07 is expected to draw more than 17,000 water quality professionals and feature over 1,000 exhibiting companies for five days - October 13 through 17 - of technical education, information exchange and networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.weftec.org.

Source: Water Environment Federation