U.S. team bested 36 teams from six countries this week at IFAT Munich

Team KSB-USA was awarded the gold medal today in Munich, Germany as the overall winner of the third Open German Championship in Wastewater Technology. The all-star Operations Challenge team competed this week against 36 teams from six countries as part of IFAT 2016—the world’s leading trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management—which runs from May 30-June 3.Organized by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and sponsored by KSB, Inc., the U.S. team included Coach Dave Vogel (CH2M, Lanesborough, Mass.) and members Dale Burrow(TRA CReWSers, Dallas, Tex., winner of 5 Division 1 Operations Challenge Championships);Donnie Cagle (Terminal Velocity, Wake Forest, N.C., winner of 10 Division 1 Operations Challenge Championships); and Steve Motley (Terminal Velocity, Virginia Beach, Va., winner of 5 Division 1 Operations Challenge Championships).

“We are so proud of Team KSB-USA and congratulate all of the participants of this fantastic international competition,” said WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill. “It was our great honor to have been invited to be a part of IFAT and the Open German Championship, which along with WEF’s own Operations Challenge competition, showcases the incredible dedication, professionalism, and outstanding skills of our operations personnel. A special thanks to KSB, Inc. for their support and to everyone who helped make this event a success.”

During the intense two-day competition, the teams were judged in five core competencies of wastewater operations. Team KSB-USA accumulated the most combined points from each individual discipline to take first place, followed by two German teams—second place winner Nuremberg – Die Drei Wreckla and third place winner Stadt Stuttgart Pumpis.

“We are extremely pleased with results and the overall experience,” said Vogel. “What is most significant to us is what we have learned, the friends we have made, and how all of the participants, along with all operators around the world, will continue to perform this important work every day in their own communities.”

Ready for a rematch?
If you missed the action in Germany, you have another chance to see these hard-working operators show off their skills at Operations Challenge 2016 this fall in New Orleans. The competition will be held as part of WEFTEC 2016, WEF’s 89th annual technical exhibition and conference. For more information, visit www.weftec.org.
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About WEF
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 33,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation. To learn more, visit www.wef.org.