Forsyth County Students Build Skills in Model Water Tower Competition

The Forsyth County Department of Water & Sewer hosted its second annual Model Water Tower Competition on Jan. 7, 2026, bringing 15 student teams to Riverwatch Middle School to design, build and test miniature functional water towers. The contest grew from six towers in the inaugural year to 15 this year, involving 26 middle school students and local engineering mentors.

Teams were evaluated on structural and hydraulic efficiency, design ingenuity, best engineering design, presentation and cost effectiveness. Judges awarded cash prizes to the top three teams: first place went to Rajkumar Elamaaran Vasanth and Ansh Patel, who received $300; second place went to Nick Spindler, Michael Momotok, Athrva Bector and Srikar Pittu, who received $200; and third place went to Aryaman Dhanjal and Sajid Makhani, who received $100. The first- and second-place teams will advance to compete at the state level.

Local engineering mentors from Hazen and Sawyer and county staff worked alongside students during the competition, offering technical guidance and real-world perspectives on water infrastructure and design. County officials said the program aims to deepen connections between students and water professionals while exposing young residents to practical engineering challenges.

“Through the competition, the students were able to practice valuable life skills such as critical thinking, communication, problem solving and public speaking, while also strengthening their engineering skills and knowledge,” said Forsyth County Department of Water & Sewer Community Outreach Specialist Nishat Sial.

For Forsyth County residents, the event represents more than a school project: it is an investment in the local STEM pipeline and future water workforce. By emphasizing cost effectiveness and hydraulic performance, the competition mirrors priorities that water utilities face in managing aging infrastructure and budget constraints. Hands-on opportunities like this can improve students’ technical literacy, broaden awareness of local career paths and reduce barriers to entering engineering fields.

County organizers said they plan to continue the competition in future years, building on the jump from six entries to 15 and the involvement of local firms. As the program expands, officials expect it to strengthen community ties to essential services and provide a modest, practical boost to workforce development efforts tied to Forsyth County’s water and sewer operations.