Water and wastewater Engineer design or oversee projects involving the provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.

  • Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.
  • Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.
  • 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.
  • Evaluate the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater systems to identify ways to improve their efficiency.
  • Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards.
  • Design pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for the collection of wastewater.
  • Design water distribution systems for potable or non-potable water.
  • Conduct water quality studies to identify and characterize water pollutant sources.
  • Analyze and recommend chemical, biological, or other wastewater treatment methods to prepare water for industrial or domestic use.
  • Identify design alternatives for the development of new water resources.
  • Design water runoff collection networks, water supply channels, or water supply system networks.
  • Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water wells.
  • Conduct cost-benefit analyses for the construction of water supply systems, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.
  • Provide technical support on water resource or treatment issues to government agencies.
  • Conduct feasibility studies for the construction of facilities, such as water supply systems, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.
  • Analyze storm water or floodplain drainage systems to control erosion, stabilize river banks, repair channel streams, or design bridges.
  • Oversee the construction of decentralized or on-site wastewater treatment systems, including reclaimed water facilities.
  • Develop plans for new water resources or water efficiency programs.
  • Perform hydrological analyses, using three-dimensional simulation software, to model the movement of water or forecast the dispersion of chemical pollutants in the water supply.
  • Perform hydraulic analyses of water supply systems or water distribution networks to model flow characteristics, test for pressure losses, or to identify opportunities to mitigate risks and improve operational efficiency.
  • Write technical reports or publications related to water resources development or water use efficiency.
  • Design water storage tanks or other water storage facilities.
  • Analyze and recommend sludge treatment or disposal methods.
  • Design sludge treatment plants.
  • Gather and analyze water use data to forecast water demand.
  • Conduct environmental impact studies related to water and wastewater collection, treatment, or distribution.
  • Analyze the efficiency of water delivery structures, such as dams, tainter gates, canals, pipes, penstocks, or cofferdams.
  • Perform mathematical modeling of underground or surface water resources, such as floodplains, ocean coastlines, streams, rivers, or wetlands.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 96% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 79% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 69% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 66% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 48% responded "Extremely important".
  • Contact With Others — 44% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Spend Time Sitting — 66% responded "More than half the time".
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Work Activities
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Prepare technical or operational reports.
  • Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
  • Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.
  • Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
  • Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
  • Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
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Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Design
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Judgment and Decision Making
  • Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Writing
  • Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Information Ordering
  • The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
  • HydroCAD Software Solutions HydroCAD Hot Technology
  • Bentley SewerCAD Hot Technology
  • Bentley Microstation Hot Technology
  • Bentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite Hot Technology
  • Bentley WaterCAD Hot Technology
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD Hot Technology
  • Eagle Point LANDCADD Hot Technology
  • Autodesk Revit Hot Technology
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Hot Technology
  • Bentley InRoads Suite Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
  • Minitab Hot Technology
  • MWH Soft InfoSWMM
  • Wallingford Software InfoWorks WS
  • XP Software XPSWMM
  • NIWA Tideda
  • Wallingford Software InfoSewer
  • HEC-1
  • DHI MIKE URBAN
  • EPA Storm Water Management Model SWMM
  • HEC-GeoRAS
  • HEC-RAS
  • Hydraulic modeling software
  • KYPipe
  • Bentley StormCAD
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
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Education

Get started on your career:

Job Outlook

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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