The NEWEA Student Design Competition (SDC) is intended to promote a “real world” design experience for students interested in pursuing an education and/or career in water engineering and sciences. This competition tasks teams of student members within NEWEA to design and present a project solution meeting the requirements of a problem statement that they have worked on together as a team. This competition is intended for both undergraduate and graduate students, typically completing a capstone project. The winning teams from each category will compete at the national WEFTEC Student Design Competition.
Student teams will compete in one of two categories:
- Wastewater Design (e.g. hydraulic capacity design, upgrades to existing treatment systems, biosolids handling, etc.)
- Water Environmental Design (e.g. stormwater management design, green infrastructure, low impact development, water reuse, wetland construction, distributed treatment systems, systems in developing countries, etc.)
The competition consists of two portions, the written submittal and the presentation, which will take place on May 6, 2026. Students are expected to work together as a team to recommend a complete engineering design solution with little assistance from an advisor/professor or industry professionals/consultants.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Each team shall submit an entry form and team participation form for the virtual competition held in May. One university is permitted to send up to two teams to the competition, one in each category (wastewater and environmental). There is no entry fee to participate.
Official Entry Form >> Submit by March 20, 2026
Team Participation Form >> Submit by April 10, 2026
PRIZES
The first place winners* in the Wastewater Design and the Environmental Design categories will receive the NEWEA Student Activities Award ($200) and travel allowance (up to $2,000) to compete at the WEFTEC Student Design Competition in late September in New Orleans.
*first place teams are required to present at WEFTEC.
DEADLINES
- Official Entry Form shall be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on March 20, 2026.
- Team Participation Form shall be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on April 10, 2026.
- Student resumes shall be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on April 17, 2026. Late resumes will not be accepted.
- A project written data submittal (“report”) must be received no later than 11:59 pm on April 17, 2026.
- The competition will take place virtually on the afternoon of May 6, 2026.
- All resumes and reports must be sent to Jennifer Lawrence, Student Activities Committee, prior to the deadlines listed.
SPONSORSHIPS & MENTORSHIP
Your firm’s involvement is greatly appreciated and ensures the sustainability of this important program.
- Facility/Utility/Consultant/Consulting Firm Sponsorship: Competition can be sponsored by a participating entity by providing a monetary prize for the winning team.
- Facility/Utility/Consulting Mentorship: Competition can be mentored by a participating entity by providing the problem statement for the competition and/or participating in the project plan, final design reviews, and judging.
View Sponsor/Mentor Flyer >>
View the Sponsorship form for student engagement opportunities >>
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Please contact: Jennifer Lawrence, phone: 617-452-6706 or the NEWEA office.