Water Environment Federation
Student Design Capstone

2025-2026

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Project Introduction

This competition project involves participation in the annual Water Environment Federation (WEF) Student Design Competition (SDC) held in Phoenix, Arizona. This year, the goal of this project is to design an new 30 million gallon per day (MGD) Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) in the City of Phoenix. The 91st Ave Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) releases water to the Tres Rios Flow Regulating Wetlands (FRW), where the water will be transported via lift station to the designed AWPF and will produce 30 MGD. The design will provide efficiency and ensure compliance for the finished water.

Image Provided by: The Water Environment Federation

Meet the Team!

Zepheniah Espinoza-Cordova

Karen Vera

Amy Joy Schmitt

Cairo Linares

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineer

Civil Engineer

kpv26@nau.edu

cal633@nau.edu

aas734@nau.edu

zae22@nau.edu

Environmental Engineering 

Environmental Engineering 
& Chemistry

Environmental Engineering 

Civil Engineering 

Image Provided by: 1-3 (left to right) Karen Vera, 4 Amy Joy Schmitt 

Technical Advisor & Clients