Water and Wastewater Engineers
Water and Wastewater Engineers design and manage systems that bring clean drinking water to homes and businesses and safely remove and treat dirty water and sewage. They use tools like hydraulic modeling software, 3D simulation programs, and computer-aided design (CAD) to plan treatment plants, pumping stations, pipelines, and flood-control structures such as dams and storm drains. They also lead teams, review project plans for safety and environmental impact, and make cost and design decisions that help protect communities from pollution and flooding.
Did you know?
Obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license is essential for career advancement and the ability to approve engineering plans and take legal responsibility for projects.
At a glance
Typical average pay
$96,900 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast growing
Top skill
Judgment and Decision Making
Things to consider
Environmental Regulatory Compliance
Staying current with EPA regulations and state-specific water quality standards is crucial as non-compliance can result in significant legal and financial consequences.
Aging Infrastructure Opportunities
The widespread need to modernize America's aging water and wastewater systems creates substantial job opportunities but requires expertise in both legacy and modern technologies.
Key responsibilities
Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems, aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings.
Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water wells.
Oversee the construction of decentralized or on-site wastewater treatment systems, including reclaimed water facilities.
Analyze and recommend chemical, biological, or other wastewater treatment methods to prepare water for industrial or domestic use.
Provide technical support on water resource or treatment issues to government agencies.