After bringing home first place in the Ohio Water Environment Association Design Competition, a student team traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana, to compete at the national level in October.

Competing against peers from Carnegie Mellon University, University of Florida, Florida International University, North Carolina State University and more, the students showcased innovative solutions to real-world challenges in wastewater treatment.

The CWRU team tackled an issue faced by the Philip Q. Maiorana (PQM) Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lorain, Ohio. Currently, waste generated during the water treatment process must be transported to another facility, a costly and resource-intensive solution. The students proposed an alternative process to produce Class A biosolids directly on-site. These biosolids can be safely repurposed for agricultural use, offering a sustainable and economical approach that reduces waste and environmental impact.

“This wasn’t just a theoretical exercise,” explained Ayomide Kazeem, a PhD student on the team. “We had to apply what we’ve learned in class to solve a problem that directly impacts communities.”

The competition, which spans several months, included consultations with advisors, plant visits, and extensive research. In April, the students presented their solution at the local level, earning them a place at the Water Environment Federation (WEF) national competition in New Orleans. There, they represented Ohio alongside teams from across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

For Kazeem, the experience was both eye-opening and rewarding. “It was incredible to see the variety of challenges teams were addressing, each tailored to the unique needs of their region,” she said.