Water engineer

Water engineers research and develop methods for the provision of clean water, water treatment and flood damage prevention and reaction. They research water needs in a location and develop methods for meeting those needs, such as designing and developing projects for managing water resources such as treatment plants, pipelines, pump systems, irrigation or draining systems and other water supply systems. Water engineers also ensure proper installation of these systems on construction sites. Water engineers also maintain, repair and build structures that control water resources, such as bridges, canals and dams.

The following job titles also refer to water engineer:

water systems engineer
water resource engineer
hydraulic engineer
water management specialist

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as water engineer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Water engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to water engineer.

drainage engineer
wastewater engineer
water quality analyst
gas distribution engineer
sewerage systems manager

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of water engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of water engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of water engineer.

Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
Hydraulic fluid: The various types, qualities and applications of hydraulic fluids used in metalworking processes such as forging and moulding, consisting out of mineral oils and water.
Water policies: Have a solid understanding of policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations concerning water.
Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
Landscape design: Understand landscape design and maintenance.
Hydraulics: The power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.
Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
Flood remediation equipment: The operation of the necessary tools and equipment used in flood damage and remediation activities, such as pumping flooded properties.
Water reuse: Principles of water re-use processes in complex circulation systems.
Types of pipelines: Know various types of pipelines and their different usages. Differentiate between pipelines used to transport goods over short and long distances, and understand their respective feeding systems.

These skills are necessary for the role of water engineer.

Interpret scientific data to assess water quality: Analyse and interpret data like biological properties to know the quality of water.
Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
Ensure compliance with safety legislation: Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.
Detect flaws in pipeline infrastructure: Detect flaws in pipeline infrastructure during construction or over the passage of time such as construction defects, corrosion, ground movement, hot-tap made by error, and others.
Adjust engineering designs: Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Use technical drawing software: Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
Advise on irrigation projects: Advise on the construction of irrigation projects. Review contractor orders to ensure the compatibility of the design with installation concepts and pre-existent grounds master plan. Monitor the contractor’s work.
Develop flood remediation strategies: Develop plans and design equipment for the prevention of floods and efficient aid in the event of a flood, by assessing the risks, identifying improvements in existing strategies, and designing new strategies in flood remediation.
Create designs for pipeline engineering: Design pipeline infrastructure considering engineering principles. Create blueprints, measure sites, define materials, and present functional proposals for their construction.
Lead a team in water management: Direct a team in water management projects and guide each other to the common goal of completing and fulfilling a variety of assignments and tasks.
Approve engineering design: Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
Analyse community needs: Identify and respond to specific social problems in a community, delineating the extent of the problem and outline the level of resources required to address it and identifying the existing community assets and resources that are available to address the problem.
Conserve water resource: Strive to conserve ground irrigation water. Meet with water conservation agencies and liaise with management on developments in conservation policy.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of water engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Water chemistry analysis: Principles of complex water chemistry.
Irrigation systems: The methods and systems management in irrigation.
Pollution prevention: The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.
Environmental engineering: The application of scientific and engineering theories and principles aimed at improving the environment and sustainability, such as the provision of clean habitation necessities (such as air, water, and land) for humans and other organisms, for environmental remediation in the event of pollution, sustainable energy development, and improved waste management and waste reduction methods.
Ecosystems: The characteristics of the system where living organisms co-habitate and interact with non-living elements.
Livestock: The various types of animals that are bred, held captive and killed for human consumption.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of water engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Design sprinkler systems: Design sprinkler systems. Take into account issues of water conservation, existing and proposed landscaping features, and time sequencing of existing systems.
Use water disinfection equipment: Operate equipment for water disinfection, using different methods and techniques, such as mechanical filtration, depending on needs.
Inspect pipelines: Walk flow lines to identify damage or leaks; use electronic detection equipment and conduct visual inspections.
Survey sites for pipeline installation: Perform surveys of different kinds of sites, such as inland or maritime site, for the planning and construction of pipeline infrastructure.
Develop irrigation strategies: Plan the deployment of methods and procedures for watering the land by artificial means, taking into account strategies for water use sustainability.
 
Manage water quality testing: Direct the procedures surrounding the testing and quality analysis of water and subsequent purification procedures by managing operations from collection of samples to laboratory testing, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with legislation.
Ensure regulatory compliance in pipeline infrastructures: Ensure that the regulations for pipeline operations are met. Ensure pipeline infrastructure compliance with legal mandates, and compliance with regulations governing the transportation of goods via the pipelines.
Supervise waste disposal: Supervise disposal of biological waste and chemical waste according to regulations.
Maintain irrigation controllers: Maintain and program different types of irrigation controllers including mechanical, solar battery, digital and computer controlled systems.
Measure water quality parameters: Quality assure water by taking into consideration various elements, such as temperature.
Design drainage well systems: Design systems which are found in residential properties as well as in public properties such as on streets and public building rooftops, and which function to drain excess water from these areas. They function to aid in flood remediation, remove rain, and minimise risk from heavy storms, and subsequently transport the untreated water into nature.
Advise on soil and water protection: Advise on the effects of soil and water management practices in controlling pollutant loss, nitrate leaching and reduce soil erosion.
Advise on pollution prevention: Advise individuals and organisations on the development and implementation of actions which aid in the prevention of pollution and its related risks.
Mitigate environmental impact of pipeline projects: Strive to mitigate the potential impact that pipelines and the goods transported in them can have on the environment. Invest time and resources into consideration of the environmental effects of the pipeline, the actions that could be taken to protect the environment, and the potential increase in the costs of the project.
Develop water supply schedule: Develop timetables and working strategies for the collection, storage, and distribution of water used for water supply to facilities and residences.
Install sprinkler systems: Install sprinkler systems and adjust the pumps, main feeder and lateral lines, sprinkler heads, valves, PVC pipes, controls, and electronically controlled water sensors.
Develop sewerage networks: Develop systems and methods of construction and installation of waste water transportation and treatment equipment, which is used to transport waste water from residences and facilities through water treatment facilities, or through other sewerage systems, to ensure proper disposal or reuse. Develop such systems with environmental and sustainability concerns in mind.
Develop water purification methods: Develop strategies for the development and use of water purification equipment and plans, by aiding in the design of equipment, planning purification procedures, and identifying the necessary actions and potential risks.
Prepare timelines for pipeline development projects: Prepare timescales and project schedules for implementation of activities and follow up in pipeline development projects. Include in the preparation customer requests, materials required, and specification of the activities to be undertaken.
Perform water treatment procedures: Perform operations such as filtering, sterilising, and dechlorinating in order to purify water for consumption and food production using different procedures and technologies such as micro-filtration, reverse osmosis, ozonation, carbon filtration, or ultraviolet (UV) light.
Monitor legislation developments: Monitor changes in rules, policies and legislation, and identify how they may influence the organisation, existing operations, or a specific case or situation.
Develop watering schedules: Develop watering schedule for sprinkler system.
Design piers: Design piers considering calculations, purpose, and budget.
Perform pipeline routing studies: Perform routing studies designed to collect information on and analyse the characteristics of the site, the challenges of construction, and other environmental factors that should be taken into consideration in planning project development.
Consider the impact of material characteristics on pipeline flows: Consider the characteristics of goods in order to ensure that pipeline flows are uninterrupted. Anticipate the density of goods in the design of pipelines or in daily maintenance of pipeline infrastructures.
Conserve natural resources: Protect waters and natural resources and coordinate actions. Work with environmental agencies and resource management personnel.
Advise on environmental remediation: Advise on the development and implementation of actions which aim to remove sources of pollution and contamination from the environment.
Identify risk of flooding: Identify the areas which are most at risk to be damaged by floods, such as areas close to rivers, as well as identifying the events which would cause floods such as changes in the weather.
Analyse route possibilities in pipeline projects: Analyse sufficient route possibilities for developing pipeline projects. Ensure that crucial elements such as environment, the features of a location, purpose, and other elements are considered. Analyse the best route possibilities while attempting to maintain a balance between budget and quality.
Perform follow-up on pipeline route services: Perform follow-up activities related to the plan, the distribution schedule, and the service yielded by the pipeline infrastructure. Ensure that pipeline route assignments are accomplished and meet customer agreements.
Ensure equipment maintenance: Ensure that the equipment required for operations is regularly checked for faults, that routine maintenance tasks are performed, and that repairs are scheduled and performed in the case of damage or flaws.
Design dams: Envision and design dams considering calculations, project purpose, and budget.
Monitor water quality: Measure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.
Supervise sewerage systems construction: Supervise the implementation of correct sewerage system plans and methods during construction, installation, and maintenance of sewerage systems to ensure conformity to the approved plans and safety of operations.
Design weirs: Envision and design weirs considering calculations, project purpose, and budget.
Perform water chemistry analysis: Perform water chemistry analysis
Develop environmental remediation strategies: Develop strategies for the removal of pollution and contaminants from soil, groundwater, surface water, or sediment, taking into account environmental remediation regulations and available technologies.
Provide training: Provide training and orientation to new team members, or assign this task to an appropriately experienced team member.
Perform water testing procedures: Conduct testing procedures on water quality, such as pH tests and dissolved solids. Understand instrumentation drawings.
Manage desalination control system: Manage a system for the removal of salt in order to obtain potable water.
Follow up pipeline integrity management priorities: Perform follow up on priority actions in the pipeline infrastructure, such as complete coverage, service consistency, and facilitation.
Compute irrigation pressure: Calculate how much pressure is needed for existing and planned irrigation systems. Include discharge and spray radius specification.
Supervise waste water treatments: Supervise waste water treatment according to environmental regulations.

2142 – Civil engineers

 

 

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References

1. Water engineer – ESCO