This year, WEFTEC reshaped its annual Operations Challenge for its 2020 virtual expo experience, as two- and four-person teams competed remotely in three categories: process control, laboratory and collections.

Winning the Division 1 event was team Controlled Chaos hailing from Mount Pleasant (South Caorlina) Water Works and representing the Water Environment Association (WEA) of South Carolina. The four-person team included Troy Newton, Patrick Ross, Seth Duncan and Kevin Ganley.

Taking home the Division 2 honors and representing the Virginia WEA was team Blueridge Brawlers of the Western Virginia Water Authority of Roanoke, Virginia. Lacy Burnette and Stephen Lofaro made up the two-person team.

Winning Division 3 and representing the WEA of Ontario was team Peel Connoisewers of the Region of Peel (Ontario) Public Works. Making up the two-person team were Lino Zanardo and Maitrik Patel. They were first-time competitors in the Operations Challenge.

One of the most anticipated events during WEFTEC, the Operations Challenge is a unique and fast-paced test of the essential skills needed to operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, their collections systems and laboratories — all vital to the protection of public health and the environment.

Teams are judged on the best combination of precision, speed and safety. The winners are determined by a weighted point system.

Anyone interested in watching the event can view recordings of each team competing here. Final results are below.