Water and public health

Water and public health engineering encompasses the full water cycle from water catchment, water treatment and water distribution through to waste water collection, waste water treatment and return of treated effluent back to the environment. Engineers may be employed by client organisations, consultants, contractors, supply services, specialist firms and subcontractors and work in teams from two to 200.

Environmental considerations are all part of the graduate job

The environmental impact of water and waste water infrastructure improvement schemes is considered at the earliest stage of projects. The sustainable measures implemented in this sector include actions such as optimising the size of treatment plants, recycling materials, minimising energy consumption and promoting sustainable drainage systems. Increased incidence of urban flooding and legislative requirements will continue to drive the need for improvements to water and waste water infrastructure, and ensure continued growth in this sector.

Starting out as a graduate engineer

Engineers of all levels see projects from concept, through design development, to construction and maintenance. Graduate design engineers tend to start out helping with the feasibility assessments and detailed designs, completing calculations and creating drawings.

Graduate engineers working for a contractor could be involved in on-site setting out, ordering materials, controlling sub-contractors and ensuring work is completed safely. There is often the opportunity to experience new roles in your respective team.

Essentials for working as an engineer in water and public health

There are several sought-after engineering degrees: these include civil, structural, geotechnical, mechanical and electrical. Environmental degrees such as geography, environmental science and hydrology are also relevant. Useful ‘soft’ or ‘life skills’ include teamwork, communication, problem solving and numeracy.

Hidden benefits

The best bit about working in this sector is the impact it makes on people’s lives: the projects aren’t just interesting, they really make a difference. The sector is incredibly diverse in the range of projects you can find yourself involved in – from dams and reservoirs to waste water treatment works. Due to necessity a lot of projects are hidden from public view. However, the projects really do make a significant impact on people’s lives which means the work is incredibly rewarding.

Matthew Stott is a civil engineer at Jacobs. He has an MEng in civil engineering, and is a graduate member of the ICE and ICES. Matthew has five years’ experience in this area.