Skip navigation

Water/Wastewater Engineers - 17-2051.02

O*NET-SOC Description

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.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Consulting Engineer
  • County Engineer
  • Engineer
  • Project Development Engineer

SOC Occupation Groups

17-0000 Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-2000 Engineers
17-2050 Civil Engineers
17-2051.00 Civil Engineers
17-2051.02 Water/Wastewater Engineers

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • 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, runoff 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, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.
  • Conduct water quality studies to identify and characterize water pollutant sources.
  • 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 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 sludge treatment plants.
  • Design water distribution systems for potable or non-potable water.
  • Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water wells.
  • Design water runoff collection networks, water supply channels, or water supply system networks.
  • Design water storage tanks or other water storage facilities.
  • Develop plans for new water resources or water efficiency programs.
  • Evaluate the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater systems to identify ways to improve their efficiency.
  • Gather and analyze water use data to forecast water demand.
  • Identify design alternatives for the development of new water resources.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.
  • Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
  • Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
  • Analyze physical, survey, or geographic data.
  • Create models of engineering designs or methods.
  • Design civil structures or systems.
  • Design industrial processing systems.
  • Design structures or facilities.
  • Develop technical methods or processes.
  • Direct environmental development activities.
  • Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
  • Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
  • Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
  • Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
  • Prepare detailed work plans.
  • Prepare technical or operational reports.
  • Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
  • Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
  • Research advanced engineering designs or applications.
  • Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
  • Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Assistant Public Works Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Public Works Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Public Works Production Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Public Works Utilities Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Utilities Officer (Marine Corps - Warrant Officer only)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman, Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman, Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water Support Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Water Treatment Specialist (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Chief Engineer, Waterworks