Regional Operations Challenge
Operations Challenge is a national competition supported by WEF in which teams of four wastewater professionals compete in five different events to test the diverse skills required to operate and maintain water resource recovery facilities, collection systems, and laboratories. A weighted point system determines the winners.
The five events include:
RMWEA has a long history of participation in Operations Challenge, first competing locally in 1992 and nationally at WEFTEC in 1993. RMWEA holds an annual regional competition to determine which teams earn an opportunity to compete nationally. RMWEA has produced a number of Overall National Championship Teams.
1st Place Overall - Metro Water Recovery’s Elevated Ops
3rd Place Overall - South Platte Renew’s Commode Commandos
Lab Event
1st Place - South Platte Renew’s Commode Commandos
3rd Place - City of Westminster’s Sewerside Squad
Safety Event
1st Place - Metro Water Recovery’s Elevated Ops
3rd Place - South Platte Renew’s Commode Commandos
Process
1st Place - City of Westminster’s Sewerside Squad
2nd Place - Metro Water Recovery’s Elevated Ops
Maintenance
2nd Place - Metro Water Recovery’s Elevated Ops
3rd Place- Metro Water Recovery’s Double Duty
Collections:
1st Place - Metro Water Recovery’s Elevated Ops
3rd Place - Metro Water Recovery’s Double Duty
The 2026 Rocky Mountain Rivalry Operations Challenge brought together 12 teams from utilities across the country for a full day of competition across the five Operations Challenge events. Browse the gallery below to see the region's operators in action, from the process and maintenance events to collections, laboratory, and safety. Thank you to everyone who competed, volunteered, and cheered the teams on, and to photographer Ashley Waldron for capturing the day. Congratulations to all of this year's competitors.
2026 Rocky Mountain Rivalry Operations Challenge Photo Gallery
2025 Rocky Mountain Region at National Events results include:
Hear From the Teams
After a historic Division I sweep at WEFTEC 2025, RMWEA's Operations Challenge teams are sharing what it takes to win. Orren West joined WEF's "Challenge Accepted" podcast to talk preparation, mindset, and the power of collaboration across teams and utilities. Also joining the podcast are Division One National Champions Metro Water Recovery's Elevated Ops, represented by Josh Mallorey; Division One second-place team Westminster's Sewerside Squad, represented by Lindie Aragon; and Division One third-place team Metro Water Recovery's Double Duty, represented by Adrian Quintana.
You can access the National Operations Challenge Team Resource Center here.
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