Student Design Competition

Congratulations to 2024 Winners:

Congratulations to the winners of the Illinois Water Environment Association (IWEA) Student Design Competition (SDC). The Competition took place during the 2024 Illinois Wastewater Professionals Conference (IWPC).

The winning team, consisting of Sydney Marz, Hewane Melkie, and Katrina Ziemniak, represented Loyola University Chicago. As Competition winners, they received a cash prize, a travel allowance, and the opportunity to compete in the national SDC at WEFTEC2024 in New Orleans!   Their presentation was titled Conservation Leadership Center Rainwater Capture and Reuse.

About the SDC:

The IWEA SDC is intended to promote a real world design experience for students interested in pursuing an education and/or career in wastewater, water resources and environmental engineering.  This competition tasks teams to design a problem statement and present a project solution meeting the requirements of the problem that they have worked on as a team.  This competition is intended for both undergraduate and graduate students.  Students who are completing a capstone project or a design course can use that work as a submission, as well. 

The 2025 competition is March 17 during IWPC. Conference location is the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, IL.

Please use the links below to learn more about the Student Design Competition or to submit an application.

2025 Student Design Competition Guidelines

2025 Student Design Competition Application

The Water Environment Federation Website has more information on the Student Design Competition. Please contact Jennifer Loconsole with any questions.