WEFTEC Volunteers Inspire Chicago Students at Water Palooza

One of the highlights leading into WEFTEC 2025 was Water Palooza, where WEF members and volunteers spent the day at Ida B. Wells Elementary engaging students in fun, hands-on activities that highlighted the value of water, water quality, and environmental stewardship.

Small groups of students rotated through interactive stations that brought science and sustainability to life—from exploring how water resource recovery facilities work to painting rain barrels, making water cycle bracelets, and learning what not to flush.

Organized by the Students and Young Professionals Community (SYPC), Water Palooza shines a spotlight on the importance of the water sector while giving back to the WEFTEC host city. WEF thanks the many partners and volunteers who made the event possible, including the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Xylem, Veolia, Illinois Water Environment Association, Jacobs, Infiltrator Water Technologies, Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Student Chapter, Carollo Engineers, SmartCover, Duperon Corporation, Urban Rivers, AECOM, and HDR.