OCWA’s OpExpo 2024 was Another Great Success!
Our Annual Event saw another Record-Breaking Crowd, with Two Full Training Sessions, |
This year’s Operator Expo had everything the Orange County water community has come to expect from OCWA: a strong slate of training sessions, a wide array of spirited competitions, and a delicious barbeque lunch. Everyone had a great time as they earned Certified CE training units, interacted with dozens of vendors, and enjoyed watching or participating in the contests. Plans are already underway for next year’s event.
Photos of all the days events, There was lot to learn and even more fun to be had at this year’s annual event. We had over 230 operators, representing 25 water agencies from Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties, sign-up for the event, and the training sessions were well-attended. Each participant earned 1 contact hour for each training session attended. In the first hour, Mario Orlando of Spears Manufacturing Company, provided the group a thorough view of the intricacies of Assembling PVC Pipe by Solvent Welding and Threading. This presentation was followed by a spirited presentation on Solutions for Control: Distribution Maintenance & Repair Techniques to Avoid System Shutdown. Led by Michael Urwin, with Hydra-Stop, attendees were given a comprehensive overview of these critical tips for system support. At the conclusion of the Continuing Education classes, it was time for the day’s competitions. Before the Pipe Tapping Competition began, we had a special treat, a demonstration of Hydrant Hysteria by two of the premier teams in the nation.
We were fortunate to have two of the best teams in the nation exhibit their skills for us. From the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, we had the Hydro Maniacs, a men’s team who finished third in the recent competition at ACE 24 in Anaheim, while from Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, we had the Hydrant Belles, a women’s team who in their first year of competition took first place at ACE 24. If anyone is interested in forming a Hydrant Hysteria team, Boyd Schultz with Laguna Beach County Water District is happy to provide assistance in getting started. For this year’s Pipe Tapping Competition, four teams were prepped and ready to go. Remarkably, both the first and second place teams this year bested the OpExpo’s all-time Championship Rankings!
Other teams that competed included West Coast, from Santa Ana, and the Irvine Ranch Water District’s Ranch Tappers. There were a few teams unable to join us this year because of injury to their competitors. We expect they’ll return in full-form next year, eager to test themselves against our new champs. Special thanks to Boyd Schultz with Laguna Beach County Water District who organized and ran the Pipe Tapping Contest. Set up for the event was done by crews from both IRWD and LBCWD. Afterwards, we were grateful to the many attendees who stayed behind for a few minutes to assist with the dismantling and cleanup of the event. It was very appreciated. In the morning’s other competition, almost two dozens teams signed up for what turned into a spirited Horseshoe Competition. Ably organized and run by Freddie Ojeda from Yorba Linda Water District, the event was a real crowd pleaser, with many close matches. First Place was taken by a team from Irvine Ranch Water District, while Second Place went to a team from Yorba Linda Water District.
All agreed it was a great day of education and competition, and everyone left looking forward to 2025’s event. Should you have suggestions for improving next year’s OpExpo, contact anyone on the OCWA Board. And be certain to make plans now to attend next year’s event! |