Brawl at the Beach Showcases the Skills Powering the Water Workforce

At the same time baseball players gather in Florida and Arizona for spring training, wastewater professionals gathered at the 11th annual Brawl at the Beach, held during the South Carolina Environmental Conference. This event delivered record participation and a compelling demonstration of the technical skill, teamwork, and safety culture that define today’s water workforce. Hosted by the WEA of South Carolina, the event marked the first Operations Challenge qualifying competition of the year, officially launching the road to the finals at the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC).

 “The start of the qualifying season is always very exciting,” said Steve Harrison, Director of Operator Programs at the Water Environment Federation, the sponsor of Operations Challenge. “It’s a valuable opportunity for the teams and volunteers to reconnect, and for the Operations Challenge Community to refine event concepts as we begin preparations for WEFTEC.” He continued, “We are grateful to our equipment partners and to WEASC for supporting this remarkable professional development program.” 

With 15 teams – the largest field in the event’s history – this year’s competition reflected growing momentum behind operator challenges as hands‑on platforms for workforce development. Teams represented utilities and organizations from across the country, underscoring the national reach of applied, peer‑driven learning opportunities that build real‑world skills and professional confidence.

Several teams competed at Brawl at the Beach for the first time, including participants from Renewable Water Resources (Greenville, SC), Gainesville (GA) Water Resources, and Charlotte Water. Their participation highlights how Operations Challenge continues to attract new utilities and emerging professionals, creating accessible entry points for skill‑building, mentorship, and long‑term engagement in the water sector.

Throughout the competition, teams navigated scenarios spanning lab analysis, collections systems, process control, and maintenance, tasks that mirror the complexity of daily utility operations. A new safety event, focused on confined‑space rescue and diffuser membrane replacement, emphasized a core workforce priority: preparing operators to perform high‑risk work safely, effectively, and as a team.

When the competition concluded, Rocky Mountain WEA Elevated Ops – the 2025 National Champions – earned first place overall, followed by WEA of South Carolina Controlled Chaos and WEA of South Carolina Lethal Concentration. The top South Carolina teams – Controlled Chaos (Mt. Pleasant Waterworks), Lethal Concentration (Greenwood Metro), and Surge (North Charleston Sewer District) – advance to represent WEASC at WEFTEC, where they will compete on the sector’s largest stage.

Events like Brawl at the Beach exemplify why Operations Challenge is central to the Water Environment Federation’s workforce strategy. Beyond competition, these events elevate frontline expertise, reinforce a strong safety culture, and foster a sense of belonging among operators who protect public health and the environment every day. They also serve as powerful tools for recruitment and retention, making the purpose, impact, and opportunity of water careers visible to the next generation.