Details Report for:
17-2081.01 - Water/Wastewater Engineers
Design or oversee projects involving 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.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Education | Wages & Employment | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- 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 pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for the collection of wastewater.
- Design sludge treatment plants.
- Design water distribution systems for potable or nonpotable water.
- Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water wells.
- Design water run-off collection networks, water supply channels, or water supply system networks.
- Design water storage tanks or other water storage facilities.
- Analyze and recommend chemical, biological, or other wastewater treatment methods to prepare water for industrial or domestic use.
- Analyze and recommend sludge treatment or disposal methods.
- Analyze storm water or floodplain drainage systems to control erosion, stabilize river banks, repair channel streams, or design bridges.
- Analyze the efficiency of water delivery structures, such as dams, tainter gates, canals, pipes, penstocks, or cofferdams.
- Conduct cost-benefit analyses for the construction of water supply systems, run-off collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.
- Conduct environmental impact studies related to water and wastewater collection, treatment, or distribution.
- Conduct feasibility studies for the construction of facilities, such as water supply systems, run-off collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.
- Gather and analyze water use data to forecast water demand.
- Oversee the construction of decentralized or on-site wastewater treatment systems, including reclaimed water facilities.
- 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.
- 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 mathematical modeling of underground or surface water resources, such as floodplains, ocean coastlines, streams, rivers, or wetlands.
- Conduct water quality studies to identify and characterize water pollutant sources.
- Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards.
- Develop plans for new water resources or water efficiency programs.
- Identify design alternatives for the development of new water resources.
- Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.
- Provide technical support on water resource or treatment issues to government agencies.
- Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.
- Write technical reports or publications related to water resources development or water use efficiency.
Tools & Technology Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Tools used in this occupation:
| Desktop computers |
| Laser printers — Computer laser printers |
| Notebook computers — Laptop computers |
| Personal computers |
| Plotter printers — Large-format plotters |
| Scanners — Computer data input scanners; Digitizers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — HEC-RAS *; KYPipe; NIWA Tideda; Wallingford Software InfoWorks WS (see all 13 examples) |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; Bentley SewerCAD; Eagle Point LANDCADD; HydroCAD Software Solutions HydroCAD (see all 8 examples) |
| Data base user interface and query software — Microsoft Access; Structured query language SQL |
| Internet browser software — Google Chrome; Microsoft Internet Explorer *; Mozilla Firefox *; Web browser software |
| Map creation software — ESRI ArcGIS software; MapInfo software |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint |
| Project management software — Microsoft Project |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.
See all T2 categories and examples
Education
This occupation may require a background in the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational disciplines:
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Environmental Engineers.
Employment data collected from Environmental Engineers.
Industry data collected from Environmental Engineers.
| Median wages (2011) | $38.01 hourly, $79,050 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 51,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Faster than average (20% to 28%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 22,600 |
| Top industries (2010) | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (50% employed in this sector)
Government (31%)
|
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- Environmental Engineers
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition.