Real-world tasks proposed, designed, and sponsored by industry and government agencies.
Find non task-specific FAQs here.
Find non task-specific FAQs here.
Silver Sponsor: EPA Office of Research and Development
Iron Sponsor: Souder, Miller, & Associates
NMED Water Quality Report for Organ NM Pond C
FAQs:
Q: Can you provide details about the wastewater to be used at the contest? (Posted 4/6/23)
A: It will be collected from Pond C , just as we did when we ran the initial numbers. Every team's samples will be collected at the same time. This is a real-world situation; we expect the water characteristics to be similar to those measured previously. We will take a T0 measurement when the samples are distributed and a Tf when your team submits your effluent, but none of us will know the T0 values until the contest.
Q: The task has a table with values for low- medium- and high-strength untreated wastewater. How does this apply to the task? (Posted 3/8/23)
A: Values in the table are reference values for untreated water. At the contest, we will collect real wastewater from a lagoon in Organ, NM. Since it comes from Pond C, it is in the last phase of a lagoon-treatment system, therefore it is not "untreated" water. The posted data from that lagoon (Pond C) represents a real rural wastewater treatment system that needs further treatment for reuse.
Q: Explain the difference between values for well MW1 and MW2 in the BOD results file. (Posted 2/3/23)
A: This is the explanation given to us by the LRG WWTP: MW1 is a monitoring well that monitors the south leach fields and MW2 monitors the north leach fields. When we can't maintain a 2-foot free board on Pond C, we have to discharge to the leach fields and sometimes we overload one field that [sic] the other that is why the results can be different.
Q: How will you be testing our team's results? (Posted 2/1/23)
A: See p. 4 of the Task Problem Statement. We will use a COD kit (COD TNT 822) to determine BOD5. Total coliform analysis will be conducted using 3M Petrifilm Rapid Coliform Count Plates. See p. 3 of the task problem statement to see a list of parameters that will not be tested at the contest (TKN, etc.). WERC recommends that your team test for these and report your findings in your technical report to show the judges that you considered these important parameters.
Q: When will BOD5 and TSS numbers for the lagoon be available? (Posted 1/1/23)
A: They are ready. Please see the "NMED Water Quality Report (above).
Q: The NMED Report shows TDS for the water source, but the task says you will analyze for TSS. Which will it be? (Posted 12/15/22)
A: WERC will analyze for TSS, since that is the parameter stated in Class 1B requirements. TDS in the report helps your team understand water strength.
Diamond Sponsor: El Paso Electric Co.
Gold Sponsor: Las Cruces Utilities
Task FAQs: No FAQs have been asked yet.
Platinum Task Sponsor: Freeport-McMoRan
FAQs:
Q: How long does the water slurry stay in the TSF before being pumped back to the milling process facility?
A: The residence time is between 58 hours to 221 hours.
Bronze Sponsor: Dell Technologies
FAQs:
Q: Does the aged MP sample have Aquagel GoldSeal bentonite clay in it? (Posted 2/28/23)
A: No. It does not contain Aquagel. We apologize for the error in the letter sent with the aged sample. We sent the clay separately later. This is better because it allows you to test your system with and without the clay interfering.
Q: Do we need to demonstrate our grab-sample method at the contest? (Posted 2/2/23)
A: You will not need to demonstrate the grab-sample method, but it should be described in detail (sampling depths, number of samples, mixing, etc.) in your technical report. At the contest, you will be given a jar similar to the one that was shipped to you, along with an 18-liter carboy of deionized water and dilution instructions. It will be up to your team to mix proper dilutions. Keep in mind that you should avoid storing and/or mixing the solution containing MPs in plastic containers, as plastics tend to want to adhere to each other.
Q: Are there updates on the dechlorinated water? (Posted 2/2/23)
A: Yes. To make it simpler for teams to conduct analytical testing, we will use deionized water at the contest instead of dechlorinated water.
Q: When will the Aged Microplastics ship? (Posted 1/23/23)
A: We shipped them on 1/20/23. If you have not received them, please email us right away!
Q: Can we get samples of the microplastics (MPs) early? (Posted 11/17/22)
A: Yes! Email us to request an early shipment of unaged MPs. In mid-November, we shipped samples of unaged MPs to all teams that emailed us.
Q: What size boat may we use when planning for our solution? (Posted 11/10/22)
A: The choice is entirely up to you. We will not have a boat at the contest. We will assume that you have grabbed your sample and will analyze it. In your reports, justify your choice of size/weight of your proposed design.
Q: How important is time for judging the competition? May we go over the 30-minute time limit? (Posted 11/09/22)
A: Yes you may. There is likely a balance between cost and time. If you can significantly reduce cost, but the process takes a bit longer, make that point in your reports. Bottom line: Judges will first look at the most effective solution, then evaluate costs and time.
Silver Sponsor: NGL Water Solutions
Q: How can our team get the chemicals offered in the task? (Posted 7/13/22)
A: Email us at werc@nmsu.edu. Include list of chemicals needed and shipping address. After your team has registered, we will ship them to you at no cost.
Q: What form of ammonia are you expecting us to recover (anhydrous or hydrous)?
A: Hydrous only. Anhydrous ammonia, being cryogenic and toxic, is far too hazardous for the contest.
Silver Sponsor: NGL Water Solutions
Diamond Task Sponsor: NM Space Grant Consortium
No FAQs have been asked yet.
Teams select their own challenge to solve.
The tasks should require innovation and solve a current environmental problem.
No FAQs have been asked yet.
Get extra "bang for your buck" by competing in tasks 1-6. Then you get to learn from other team's solutions to your problem.
If selecting an Open Task, make sure the task you choose will be competitive. Not sure? Submit an FAQ and we will have our judges preview your plans.
Q: What should we put in the social media post? (Posted 4/9/22)
A: Send out something friendly and exciting that thanks the sponsors and tells people what you are doing, like this: We are excited to be solving xxxx at the WERC Environmental Design Contest in Las Cruces, NM. We send a big "Thank you" to our sponsors: @XXX, @XXX. (But put it in your own words--you don't want everyone to use the same phrasing that you did.)
Include a photo of your team having fun working on the project.
Q: Where can I find the new judging rubric? (Posted 4/4/22)
A: It is on the Team Guidelines page.
Q: Is there still time to register for the Flash Talks? (Posted 3/18/22)
A: Please email us. We will try to get you in. We can probably accept new teams until April 6, 2022.
Q: When is the technical report due? (Updated 2/26/22)
A: We extended the deadline to April 3, 2022. Note this is one week later than printed in your task problem statement.
Q: What is the deadline for submitting the technical report draft to our auditors? (Updated 2/26/22)
A: We suggest that you submit your draft to your auditors 3 weeks prior to the report due date. In this case, March 14 would be a good time to submit it. (The date is a suggestion, not a requirement. See your Team Manual for more information.
Q: What is the Current COVID-19 Policy at the Contest? (Updated 2/26/22)
A: Masks are no longer required in the state of New Mexico. Please see COVID-19 Policies.
Q: Registration says "Gender for Style." What does that mean? (Posted 10/15/21)
A: Faculty and judges receive a gift of a jacket or vest. The Ladies versions are narrower in the waist and larger in chest and hips than the men’s versions. If you prefer it larger in the waist, select “Male.” If you prefer it narrower in the waist, select “Female.”
Q: When is the the Preliminary Report Due? What should be in it?
A: All Preliminary Reports should be submitted by 2/28/22; Your Preliminary Report is your way of communicating your design plans to the judges. You will not be judged on the preliminary report. It is solely intended to help your team improve your approach. The emphasis is content, not flowery prose. Make it brief and to the point to allow judges to scan your plans, and use bulleted lists when possible. You may submit the report prior to the due date, if you wish.
Q: What computer connections will be available for presentations at the contest? (Posted 9/29/21)
A: Please contact us to let us know your needs and we will be sure to have the connection devices you need.