A wastewater engineer is responsible for the design, operation, and maintenance of wastewater treatment systems. Everything from drains and pipes to chemical treatment plants falls into this category. Professionals work to ensure that used water is safely discharged, treated, and disposed of. In most developed cities, sewer systems are used; in more rural areas, septic systems are used. Wastewater engineering is a subset of the larger field of environmental engineering, which also includes solid waste management, pollution prevention, and ecology.
In order to design, implement, and maintain residential sewers, septic systems, and water treatment centers, a wastewater engineer must be able to conceptualize and assess them. Professionals work to design and maintain systems that handle large amounts of wastewater, establishing efficient and effective processes to detoxify it and remove harmful byproducts before returning it to waterways. Computer-aided design (CAD) and other technological tools are increasingly used in newer systems, and computers are used to monitor nearly all sewage systems. As a result, technological know-how is becoming a more valuable asset among wastewater engineers.
Careers in wastewater engineering can be found in both the public and private sectors. Although many states and municipalities have their own wastewater departments, many of them outsource the work to private contractors. Whether working for a private company or a municipality, wastewater engineers must be familiar with and adhere to applicable government regulations, which inevitably differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
A wastewater engineer must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. Engineers who want to advance in their careers usually need at least a master’s degree. However, the costs of such an education are usually justified because wastewater specialists can earn a lot of money over the course of their careers. Engineers of all stripes must be licensed or certified in most areas, which, combined with the existence of professional associations, provides some job security.
The task of wastewater management has evolved dramatically throughout history. Fresh water delivery and efficient sewage systems were highly valued by the ancient Romans, who devised highly sophisticated methods of transporting water over long distances. These paths were lost during the Medieval period, and as a result, public health and the quality of life for all but the wealthiest and most powerful people suffered. Techniques that a modern wastewater engineer would recognize were not developed until the 18th and 19th centuries.