Warsaw Hosts Indiana Wastewater Challenge
Contestants gather around the microscope to learn the basics of operating the equipment. During the lab section of the event, contestants were offered a view at microorganisms that help clean local wastewater.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)
On Tuesday, 12 teams from across the state of Indiana gathered for the State of Indiana Wastewater Challenge to compete in five events. Teams were comprised of four members making a total of 48 contestants total.
According to Brian Davison, Warsaw wastewater utility manager and chairman of the Indiana Water Environment Association, this is the first year the event has been hosted in Warsaw. Davison stated the event goes through an annual rotation of southern, central and northern Indiana plants and that the Warsaw Wastewater plant, which only recently ended construction, volunteered to host the event.
(photo provided by Kevin Denlinger)
In addition to the use of the facilities, Davison said contestants were also provided information on what the Warsaw area is like. Booths from many local business leaders such as DePuy Synthes, Zimmer and Biomet were set up on site for the day.
Members of the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory also offered a view of the city’s much loved “World’s Oldest Fire Engines” and ML Motorsports provided a race car for the teams to view.
The events were comprised of tests in safety, lab, operations and maintenance, residuals and collections. For winning any of the five events, a team is awarded 100 points. The team with the most points is declared the winner. Among the activities teams were tested in were mock safety drills,
The Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory provided contestants a glimpse of the “World’s Oldest Fire Trucks”.
(photo provided by Kevin Denlinger)
According to Davison, the major incentives for teams to compete is the ability to acquire new knowledge, compete in the national competition and to win the trophy and “bragging rights” granted from winning the event.
