Operations Challenge

Rhode Island Clean Water Association, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is seeking sponsors to help finance  the travel costs for our team, “RISING SLUDGE”, to compete at WEFTEC – the largest water quality exhibition in  the world with more than 25,000 attendees annually! The Rhode Island team’s 2025 NEWEA regional competition and first place overall finish for New England has earned them the opportunity to compete at the national level for the 10th consecutive year. This year’s national event will be held at the McCormick Place, Chicago IL on September 27 to October 1, 2025.

What is the Operations Challenge?
Operations Challenge is the “Wastewater Olympics” for professionals in the wastewater treatment industry.  Four member teams compete in 5 separate competitive events, regionally, hoping to earn the right to represent their respective associations at the national competition at WEFTEC.

1. Maintenance: Perform maintenance and operation of a Vaughan submersible conditioning pump
2. Collection Systems: Simulate connecting a 4” PVC lateral sewer to an existing 8” PVC sewer pipe
3. Safety: Respond to an unconscious worker at the bottom of a confined space
4. Process Control: 30-minute written wastewater skills test and 15-minute process simulator
5. Laboratory: Analyze TSS and TDS and calculate solids mass balance across a treatment system