WEFTEC 2025 is underway in Chicago, offering water quality professionals the best available education and training in water quality.
WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference, is the largest annual water quality exhibition in North America, and this year marks the conference’s 98th year.
You can now livestream the Opening General Session, featuring keynote speaker Travis Mills, retired US Army staff sergeant, author, and founder of the Travis Mills Foundation.
Resilience is something that members of the water community are familiar with –whether in our infrastructure, in our communities, or in our personal lives. At WEFTEC 2025, this theme takes centre stage.
Networking and connecting in the water quality sector
From the Opening General Session to rooting for your favourite team during the Operations Challenge, experience the unique ways WEFTEC 2025 brings water quality leaders together to form valuable and supportive relationships.
Attendees can meet water sector experts and suppliers, connect with water sector colleagues, and participate in important conversations to help shape the future of water quality.
WEFTEC attracts a diverse cross-section of the global water sector each year, enabling the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences that will broaden perspectives and deepen expert understanding of the sector.
Operations Challenge: Showcasing operational excellence in wastewater management
A key event at WEFTEC 2025 is the Operations Challenge, a showcase of excellence in wastewater treatment that allows skilled teams of professionals to compete in a series of timed events.
These events simulate real-world challenges faced in the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities.
Through this competition, participants highlight the critical role of efficient and environmentally responsible wastewater management, fostering camaraderie and promoting best practices within the water sector.
The competition is divided into three divisions based on teams’ prior performances, which are:
- Division I: Returning teams that were in Division I the previous year. This also includes any returning team that competed in the previous year’s Division II Competition and placed in the top three positions overall.
- Division II: Returning teams that don’t qualify for Division I. This also includes any returning team that competed in the previous year’s Division III Competition and placed in the top three positions overall.
- Division III: New Teams that have three members who have never competed in the WEFTEC Operations Challenge for their current utility.
The WEFTEC Global Centre
At the heart of the WEFTEC conference is the Global Centre – WEFTEC’s international hub – designed to foster cross-border collaboration, share cutting-edge knowledge, and connect attendees with key stakeholders across the water sector.
US Commercial Service representatives from the Chicago office will be on hand at WEFTEC to assist trade delegates in connecting international buyers with US exhibitors.
Topics include, but are not limited to, PFAS, smart water management, water security, utility management, innovation and business opportunities in countries outside of the US.
Keep the momentum going with WEF
WEFTEC is just the beginning. Innovators can join the Water Environment Federation to stay connected, grow their impact, and help drive innovation in the water sector.
Together, we’re building a stronger community and accelerating the shift to a circular water economy.
