Student Design Competition
Since 2013, the BC Water & Waste Association (BCWWA) has hosted an annual design competition for postsecondary students in British Columbia. This competition aims to help students apply their academic skills to solve the real-world water and wastewater problems we face every day, gain leadership and communication and help innovate the water sector.
The winning teams from BC have gone on to compete internationally at the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) against teams from across Canada, the United States and the world. We’re proud that for ten out of twelve years in this competition, our teams have placed in the top 3 of a WEFTEC competition category!
About the Competition
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the BCWWA Student Design Competition, each team member must be:
Why participate in the competition?
The winning team will accept an award at the 2026 BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show and go on to compete at the 2026 WEFTEC Student Design Competition. Both events provide excellent exposure to potential industry employers.
Key Dates
Application deadline
November 1, 2025
Sponsorship deadline
February 27, 2026
BCWWA 2026 Annual Conference & Trade Show in Penticton, BC
April 29 – May 1, 2026
WEFTEC 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana
September 26 – 30, 2026
Sponsorship Opportunities
By sponsoring the SDC, your organization will play a vital role in shaping the future of the water industry. Your support empowers the next generation of professionals by providing approximately 40 post-secondary students with an exceptional mentorship and professional development experience.
Sponsorship ensures these talented students and dedicated volunteers have the resources they need throughout the competition. It also helps send the winning team to represent at the international Student Design Competition (SDC) during the WEFTEC in the United States.
Thank You To Our 2025 Sponsors!
Volunteer Opportunities
The BCWWA is always looking for members who are dedicated to their work in the water sector and are willing to get more involved, no matter the area of expertise or experience level. We offer a range of opportunities for you to meet new people and build your professional network, expand and deepen your professional knowledge and make a meaningful contribution to realize our vision of people having safe water and a healthy water environment.