Water Engineer

Salary
Graduate with experience: £17,000 - £21,000
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £25,000 - £45,000

Main Employers

• Water companies
• Environmental agencies
• British Waterways
• The Waterways Trust
• Inland Waterways Association (IWA)
• Local authorities
• Consultancies
• Universities
• Charities and NGOs

Job profile
Water engineers provide clean water, dispose of waste water and sewage, and prevent flood damage. A water engineer can expect to undertake a range of activities, including both technical and non-technical tasks. Many are involved in implementing complex 'high-tech' projects, although there is also scope for applying intermediate solutions in developing countries.

Role and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:

• Designing, constructing and maintaining water treatment works, pipelines, pumping stations, dams, reservoirs, flood defences and associated structures
• Liaising with local authorities, government agencies, clients, contractors, residents, suppliers, technical experts and other consultants
• Presenting technical data or project results
• Monitoring the progress of projects from the feasibility stage to construction
• Using computer simulations to devise flood defence strategies

Qualifications
Relevant further education subjects include: Applied Science; Civil Engineering; Environmental Science; Geography; Geology; Geophysics; Geotechnology; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Physics.

An honours degree accredited by the appropriate engineering body, such as the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), is essential for achieving Chartered Engineer status. Most water engineers have a civil engineering background, but it is possible to become chartered with an approved MSc in Engineering. This route may be attractive to employers focusing particularly on environmental management and protection. Employers may offer sponsorship for part-time MSc courses.

Career Development
Competition is fierce for new entrant jobs but there is a shortage of experienced water engineers, notably in flood risk management. There is plenty of scope to progress to management positions, particularly if you take further business-related qualifications. It is also possible to reach higher grades through the development of technical expertise, and management responsibilities may not be required.

Movement between employers and between the private and public sectors is easy once sufficient experience has been gained. NGOs, such as WaterAid, Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and RedR, provide work opportunities in the developing world. Humanitarian work is not generally open to newly qualified graduates, although graduates can join the student organisation Engineers Without Borders.

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