It was a busy month of industry recognition for both our Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant employees, starting with an international conference and competition the first week in October, and ending with a state conference and competition the last few days of the month. 

Wastewater Operators Bring Home State/International Trophies 

Smooth Operators at WEFtec
The first week in October, our Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) “Smooth Operators” represented GUC and NC One Water (our state member association) well at the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) WEFtec, the largest water/wastewater technical conference in the world.  

To showcase how wastewater treatment operators and technicians overcome challenges and emergencies, WEF has developed what is considered the industry’s most rigorous professional development program – the WEFtec Operations Challenge. This year, a total of 55 teams from around the world competed in the 36th WEFtec Operations Challenge in Chicago, IL. 

GUC’s “Smooth Operators” team includes Adam Garris, Steve Hedgepeth, Chris Hill, Bryon Orr, Kyle Meeks, and Julius Phillips. They competed against others for the highest score in five different events: Collections Systems, Laboratory, Process Control, Pump Maintenance, and Safety. Each event is designed to test the diverse skills required for the operations/maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities, collection systems, and laboratories.  

Congrats to our team for coming in 2nd for the Division 1 Collections Event! Our team was also recognized that week for progressing to the top Division faster than any team in Operations Challenge history, making it from Division 3 to Division 1 in just three years. 

“We have a unique group of guys on our team, and I’m really proud of them,” said Team Captain Bryon Orr. “Two years ago, when they announced us as the winners of Division III, they said we were the team to watch out for. Last year, we were announced as the team that has climbed the fastest to Division I. It’s been quite the experience.” 

Smooth Operators at NC One Water

The last three days in October, our “Smooth Operators” swept the competition at the 22nd annual Operations Challenge at the NC One Water conference in Raleigh!

NC One Water, our state member association for WEF, provides water and wastewater education, training, and service in an effort to protect public health and the environment. They have over 2,500 members in North Carolina representing municipal and private utilities, industry engineering and equipment firms, government agencies, and representatives of academia who teach and conduct research in water and wastewater-related areas. 

NC One Water hosts an annual Operations Challenge that helps them determine which two utilities will represent them at the next year’s WEFtec competition. Our team did well again this year, placing 1st in Maintenance, Process Control, and Safety, as well as placing 1st Overall! 

“I’m proud of this team,” said WWTP Facility Manager Jason Manning. “GUC formed an Operations Challenge Team four years ago to grow professionally. Through teamwork and much effort, they have progressed from beginners to state champions twice over.” 

Congratulations again to Chris, Bryon, Julius, Kyle, Steve, and Adam! And thank you to WWTP Laboratory Pretreatment Manager JoEllen Gay and WWTP Maintenance Crew Leader Scott Getsinger for volunteering as event judges. 

Wastewater Treatment Plant Recognized by NC One Water

Also at the NC One Water Conference awards banquet, our WWTP staff were presented with the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations & Maintenance Excellence Award. 

Each year, NC One Water honors the wastewater plant personnel who serve their community with a high level of professionalism and diligent work in the operation and maintenance of their wastewater treatment facility. “The Greenville Utilities plant staff make the most of their available resources, no matter how great or small,” said NC One Water Executive Director Bryan Gossage when presenting the award.

Congratulations to our WWTP staff on receiving this recognition!

NC One Water Hydrant Hysteria

Competing for the first time this year at the NC One Water Hydrant Hysteria was our Water Treatment Plant “Barrel Boys.” 

Hydrant Hysteria is a fast-paced competition that measures a team’s ability to completely assemble a commonly utilized utility hydrant as quickly and accurately as possible. Teams, comprised of two competitors and one coach, compete head-to-head in a race against the clock for the fastest assembly time.

“I was very impressed by our team’s performance, especially competing at NC One Water for the first time against veteran teams,” said WTP Facility Manager Julius Patrick. “If it wasn’t for a few penalties, they would have been in the running for the championship. This was a great experience for the guys to network with other teams across the state.”

Congratulations to WTP Maintenance Mechanics Matthew Clark and Tripp Morgan, and Distribution Water Quality Tech Luke Hagee on placing 3rd in their first Hydrant Hysteria competition!