City of Kelowna “RAS to the Occasion” Team Wins First-Place at 2026 Operator Challenge

It was a close but thrilling finish as teams battled for victory at the 2026 BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show in Penticton, BC, on April 30, 2026.

A much-anticipated event of the BCWWA conference program, the Operator Challenge is a unique opportunity for BC and Yukon’s top water and wastewater operators to demonstrate their technical skills, teamwork and industry knowledge in a fun, fast-paced competition.

This year’s event featured the return of the defending 2025 champions from the Capital Regional District (CRD), alongside two teams from the City of Kelowna: “RAS to the Occasion” and “The WET Bandits.” Congratulations to the 2026 champions, team RAS to the Occasion, comprised of operators Amanda Schuffels, Jason Danroth and Paul Kozin, for their outstanding performance!

Teams of three operators competed in three demanding, skill-based events. This included the Pipe Repair Challenge, where each team was tasked to repair a pipe from start to finish in a timed event, with judges scoring for safety, speed and teamwork.

New to the competition was the “Lockout Challenge” event, which engaged teams in a simulated pump replacement exercise testing participants’ understanding of proper lockout procedures, as well as their communication and problem-solving skills.

The event concluded with some “Test the Waters” trivia, where teams entered a Q&A-style format to answer questions on Level 1-3 Water Distribution, Wastewater Collection and Wastewater Treatment materials.

“The team of water professionals truly exemplified the spirit, excellence and communication we have come to expect from our operators in BC,” said Lee Coonfer, CEO of BCWWA.

The BCWWA extends its sincere thanks to all teams who participated. The Operator Challenge showcases and celebrates the critical role operators play in maintaining safe, reliable water and wastewater systems for our communities. Special thanks to Dan Deacon, Darcy Dion and the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) for their continued support of this event.

From left: Mike Gosselin, Amanda Schuffels, Paul Kozin and Jason Danroth from the City of Kelowna with BCWWA CEO Lee Coonfer.