Three Skagit PUD team members will represent the Pacific Northwest in Washington, D.C., this June after winning the regional Top Ops competition in Tacoma.

Water Treatment Plant Operators Rob Sager and Riley Smith, along with Meter Technician Matt Walker, will compete June 21-24 at the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Annual Conference and Expo against section winners from across the U.S. and Canada.

Top Ops is like Jeopardy for the water industry — a fast-paced tournament where teams answer complex technical questions under pressure to prove who knows water operations best.

Winning the Regional Round

The PUD team earned their spot at nationals by defeating the Lower Columbia section team at the Pacific Northwest Section Conference in Tacoma, May 6-8.

The Challenge

Teams face a grueling test of technical knowledge and quick thinking. With just 25 seconds per question, operators must decide whether to answer, pass, or risk losing points on a wrong guess.

Questions cover safety, water treatment processes, laboratory operations, maintenance, distribution systems, and basic science. Math problems are worth three points while other questions earn two. Wrong answers cost one point, and passing leaves the score unchanged.

The questions come from a secure bank of more than 2,000 problems drawn from AWWA publications and vetted by Water Professionals International. Sample questions include: What metal makes the best anode? What is the pressure, in pounds per square inch, at the bottom of a tank if the water level is at 38.29 feet?

A panel of water professionals serves as judges and has final say on whether answers are correct.

Building on Success

Last year, the PUD team won the regional competition in Boise and advanced to the national championship in Denver, continuing Skagit PUD's streak of strong performances at Top Ops.

The national competition brings together the best operators from sections across North America, creating an atmosphere where technical excellence and professional pride are on full display.

Answers to sample questions: What metal makes the best anode? Zinc. What is the pressure, in pounds per square inch, at the bottom of a tank if the water level is at 38.29 feet? 16.6 psi.