Future Leaders Take the Stage at WEFTEC 2025 Student Design Competition

The WEF Student Design Competition, a signature program of the Students and Young Professionals Community (SYPC), once again highlighted the creativity, dedication, and technical excellence of the next generation of water professionals at WEFTEC 2025.

This year, 29 student teams representing four countries plus Puerto Rico competed across three categories—Wastewater, Water Environment, and Circular Water Economy. Their presentations demonstrated practical, real-world solutions to some of the most pressing water quality challenges facing communities today. From forward-thinking treatment strategies to circular economy approaches, the competition served as a powerful reminder of the value that fresh perspectives bring to the sector.

Top honors went to North Carolina State University in the Wastewater category, the University of British Columbia in the Water Environment category, and the University of South Florida in the Circular Water Economy category. WEF congratulates all participants for their outstanding efforts and applauds the teamwork, research, and professionalism that were on display throughout the event.

The competition would not be possible without the generous support of this year’s sponsors. WEF thanks Partner Sponsors Black & Veatch, GHD, and Tetra Tech Inc., as well as Supporter Sponsors AECOM, Arcadis, Brown and Caldwell, GFT, and Grundfos, for investing in the future of the water workforce.

2025 WINNERS:

Wastewater Category

1st: North Carolina State University

2nd: Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

3rd: Washington University in St. Louis

4th: Manhattan University

Water Environment Category

1st: University of British Columbia

2nd: Washington University in St. Louis

3rd: University of South Florida

4th: Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico

Circular Water Economy Category

1st: University of South Florida

2nd: University of Waterloo

3rd: University of California, Riverside

4th: Purdue University