Water and Wastewater Engineer
A Water and Wastewater Engineer specializes in designing, supervising, and upgrading systems for water supply and wastewater treatment. This role, which falls under the broader category of environmental engineering, involves developing modern treatment facilities that adhere to environmental protection standards and minimize pollution. These engineers typically work in office and laboratory settings, but may also conduct site visits to treatment facilities. Teamwork is essential, and they frequently collaborate with other engineers and communicate findings to a variety of stakeholders, including public authorities and non-engineers.
The occupation appeals to individuals interested in engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and environmental science, offering opportunities for specialization and even global work, especially in developing countries. To enter this field, a bachelor's degree in engineering is required, with coursework in water treatment design being beneficial. While many work regular hours, peak project demands may necessitate longer hours. Overall, Water and Wastewater Engineers play a critical role in providing essential services that ensure safe and sustainable water management.
Water and Wastewater Engineer
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Architecture & Construction, Manufacturing, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Interests: Engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental science, science
Earnings (Yearly Median): $100,090 per year $48.12 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 6% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Water and wastewater engineers design, supervise, and upgrade water supply and wastewater systems. They also develop and design contemporary wastewater treatment facilities that minimize pollution and meet the latest environmental protection standards. Water and wastewater engineers are generally considered part of the broader field of environmental engineering.
Work Environment. Water and wastewater engineers most commonly work in an office or a laboratory. Some projects may require field trips to the site of particular water or wastewater treatment facilities. Teamwork is common, and water and wastewater engineers often work with other environmental engineers. Many water and wastewater engineers have to liaise with public authorities. They are also expected to present their ideas and findings to non-engineers, including lawyers, businesspeople, and politicians. Good verbal and written communication skills are required, both within a team and when interacting with outsiders such as clients or public agencies.
Occupation Interest. This occupation tends to attract people with strong interests in engineering and science who are drawn to work in the environmental sciences. As the field has a wide range of applications, workers can focus on an area of particular interest. Water and wastewater engineers seek practical solutions to provide and improve upon an essential human service. They often have opportunities to work abroad, particularly in developing countries. This field can also be approached from a more general engineering background, such as civil or mechanical engineering.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Since many water and wastewater engineers work in a team, most work regular business hours. This is especially true for those who work in an office and must attend team meetings and meet with clients or third parties during the working day. During peak project times, particularly if working as a consulting engineer, water and wastewater engineers may either begin their day very early or continue to work into the evening to finish any tasks made urgent by tight project deadlines.
Contemporary engineering work requires much time spent using computers and working in an information technology–supported environment. The work of a water and wastewater engineer is no exception. As members of a team, in addition to meeting with the team to coordinate their work with that of their colleagues, water and wastewater engineers pursue their own tasks and put their results into the common project.
Working on a water or wastewater project in a foreign country often includes a heavier daily workload. In domestic positions, most water and wastewater engineers enjoy regular working hours and are requested to work overtime only on a case-by-case basis as necessitated by special projects.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Generally, water and wastewater engineers work in an office, with occasional time spent in a laboratory. Project sites are often in outdoor settings. There, physical conditions are determined by the specific site, which can be located in various physical environments that may involve hazards such as rocky terrain or construction work.
Plant Environment. Water and wastewater plants exist in various settings, ranging from urban locations such as the waterworks of a metropolitan city to remote destinations such as a desalination plant on a desert shore. Office buildings are permanent, mostly in cities, or temporary at project sites.
Human Environment. Offices and laboratories are generally shared with colleagues working on the same or different projects. Water and wastewater engineers must work well with members of their own profession within a team and with non-engineers.
Technological Environment. Contemporary water and wastewater engineers rely heavily on state-of-the-art technology and specialized software applications. They may also use global positioning devices, drones, and other technology. Word processing and spreadsheet work are also required to communicate their work.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. In high school, students should focus on the sciences, mathematics, and computer literacy, though they should be able to acquire good written and oral English and communication skills. Chemistry, biology, physics, and earth science classes are particularly useful. Mathematics courses should include algebra, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry. If available, students should also enroll in specialized courses in drafting, electronics, and special physical science topics. Computer science classes would be beneficial as well.
Students should join science or engineering clubs whenever possible. They should look for offers from professional associations in the field that target high school students. Toward the end of high school, students should also look into science or technology camps offered by domestic and international colleges and universities.
Postsecondary. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required for work as a water and wastewater engineer. Some universities offer a major in environmental engineering, but this specialization is unnecessary. A degree in civil, mechanical, or general engineering is typically sufficient. In the last two years of study, courses relating to the field, such as water treatment plant design, should be taken. Students should obtain a degree from an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), the prime accrediting institution in the field. They should also seek an internship or participate in co-op studies before graduating.
A master’s degree provides additional professional qualifications. Some universities offer the option to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in a combined five-year program. Students interested in research and teaching can also pursue a doctoral degree in engineering.
Related Occupations
− Electrical & Electronics Engineer
− Environmental Science Technician
− Water Treatment Plant Operator
Bibliography
"Environmental Engineers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 17-2081 Environmental Engineers." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172081.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.