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Water/Wastewater Engineers

Credit: Danilo Pinzon/World Bank, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 on Flickr

A water/wastewater engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining systems that provide clean water and dispose of wastewater in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. This may include working on projects related to drinking water treatment plants, sewage systems, stormwater management, and wastewater recycling. These engineers typically require a moderate background in the geosciences and may be involved in:

  • Analyzing the needs of the community or organization, and considering factors such as population size, climate, geology, and available resources. 

  • Overseeing the construction of the systems they design to address any issues that arise during the construction process, such as unexpected geological conditions or changes in regulations. 

  • Maintaining water/wastewater systems to ensure it operates efficiently. This may involve monitoring the system’s performance, making repairs as needed, and upgrading equipment. 

  • Working with scientists and engineers from other fields to research and develop equipment that can improve the efficiency and sustainability of water/wastewater systems.

Read more about this occupation on O*NET OnLine at www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2051.02

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