ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Water Environment Federation (WEF) announced students from the University of Guelph and the Colorado School of Mines as winners of the 2020 Student Design Competition. The 19th annual competition, sponsored by GHD, showcased the innovative ideas of 27 teams from 22 WEF member associations and five countries.
As a program of WEF’s Students & Young Professionals Committee, the competition promotes real-world design experiences for students interested in pursuing an education and/or a career in water/wastewater engineering and sciences. Individuals and teams of students within a WEF student chapter are challenged each year to prepare a design to help solve a local water quality issue. Teams evaluate alternatives, perform calculations, and recommend the most practical solution based on experience, economics, and feasibility.
The team from the University of Guelph won the Environmental Design category with their project titled "Innovative Stormwater Management in the City of Richmond Hill, Mill Pond". The team included Rebecca Bar, Rebecca Beutel, Acacia Markov, and Justin Salvucci with Jana Levison as their faculty advisor. Their team represented the Water Environment Association of Ontario.
The Colorado School of Mines team won the Wastewater Design category with their project, "Nutrient Optimization for Municipal Wastewater Utilities in Colorado". The team included Gillian Allison, Kelsey Buechler, Tori Heckart, Kayla Hubbard, and Kate Stephens with Chris Bellona as their faculty advisor. Their team represented the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association.
Both teams received award plaques and their respective member associations are to receive a $2,500 award. Click here to learn more about the WEF Student Design Competition.