City of Kelowna Represents Canada at WEFTEC26 Ops Challenge

Congratulations to Team Dung Deal, Canada’s only team to compete in the 2026 WEFTEC Operations Challenge in New Orleans! 

Held annually as part of the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC), the Operations Challenge is the premier showcase of excellence in wastewater operations. The competition brings together skilled utility professionals from across North America and around the world to test their knowledge, teamwork and technical abilities in a series of timed, real-world wastewater treatment challenges. 

After capturing first place early this spring at the Operations Challenge during BCWWA’s 2026 Annual Conference & Trade Show in Penticton, Team Dung Deal from the City of Kelowna moved on to represent British Columbia and Canada on the international stage. The team spent weeks training and refining their skills in preparation for the competition. 

And their hard work paid off. Competing against top operations teams from around the world, Team Dung Deal earned first place in the Global Division and took home the Hector Vaccaro Award. 

We are incredibly proud of Team Dung Deal for their dedication, professionalism and outstanding achievement. Their success is a testament to the expertise and talent of water professionals in British Columbia, and we look forward to sharing more about their journey to international victory in the coming weeks.