How have you overcome common environmental engineering problems in your career?

1 Water Quality and Supply

Environmental engineers are tasked with the challenge of ensuring adequate and safe water quality and supply for human and ecological needs. This includes addressing issues such as water scarcity, pollution, treatment, distribution, and reuse. To overcome these problems, environmental engineers have developed a number of solutions. These include designing and optimizing water treatment plants and systems that use physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove contaminants and pathogens from water sources. Additionally, they have implemented water conservation and efficiency measures, such as rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, smart meters, and leak detection. Furthermore, they have implemented and evaluated water reuse and recycling technologies to reduce freshwater demand and wastewater discharge. Finally, they have conducted and participated in water quality monitoring and assessment programs to identify and address water quality issues and risks.

2 Waste Management and Remediation

Environmental engineers are tasked with managing and remediating various types of waste, such as solid waste, hazardous waste, industrial waste, and radioactive waste. To overcome these issues, engineers have implemented a range of solutions, including designing and operating waste management facilities and systems that comply with environmental regulations and standards. Additionally, they have developed and applied waste prevention and reduction strategies to reduce waste generation and environmental impacts. Remediation technologies, such as bioremediation, phytoremediation, soil washing, and thermal desorption have also been implemented to restore contaminated sites. Furthermore, engineers have conducted and participated in waste characterization and classification programs to identify and manage waste types and hazards.

3 Air Quality and Emissions

Environmental engineers are tasked with ensuring good air quality and reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases that affect human health and climate change. To overcome these problems, they design and optimize air pollution control devices and systems, develop and apply emission reduction and mitigation measures, implement and evaluate air quality improvement technologies, and conduct and participate in air quality monitoring and modeling programs. For example, they might use scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, cyclones, and filters to capture pollutants from emission sources; switch to renewable energy sources or use carbon capture and storage to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; introduce urban greenery or indoor air purifiers to improve air quality; or sample, test, simulate, or forecast air quality levels and trends.

4 Environmental Impact Assessment and Management

Environmental engineers face the challenge of conducting and managing environmental impact assessment (EIA) and management (EIM) processes for various projects and activities that may affect the environment. To overcome these problems, they have implemented solutions such as designing and conducting EIA and EIM studies and reports, developing and applying environmental management systems (EMS) and tools, implementing and evaluating environmental mitigation and compensation measures, and conducting public consultation and participation programs. These solutions must comply with environmental laws and guidelines, improve environmental performance and compliance, reduce or compensate for environmental impacts, and involve stakeholders to address their concerns.

5 Sustainable Development and Innovation

Environmental engineers must promote and achieve sustainable development and innovation in various sectors and domains that affect the environment. This involves tackling issues such as economic growth, social equity, environmental protection, and technological advancement. To overcome these problems, engineers have designed and developed sustainable and innovative products and services, such as green buildings, eco-friendly materials, clean energy, and circular economy. They have also developed sustainability assessment and evaluation methods to measure and improve sustainability performance. Additionally, they have implemented sustainability policies and strategies to foster sustainability culture and practices. Finally, they have conducted sustainability research and education programs to generate and disseminate sustainability knowledge and skills.

6 Professional Development and Networking

Enhancing professional development and networking opportunities for environmental engineers is a sixth common environmental engineering problem. To overcome this issue, environmental engineers have implemented solutions such as obtaining professional certification and accreditation, developing and updating professional skills and knowledge, joining and participating in professional associations and organizations, and engaging and collaborating with other environmental professionals and stakeholders. Professional certification and accreditation, such as PE or BCEE, demonstrate competence and credibility. Professional skills can be updated through formal and informal learning opportunities, such as courses, workshops, webinars, and online platforms. Joining associations like AAEES or ASCE provides networking, mentoring, and recognition opportunities. Environmental engineers can also collaborate with colleagues, clients, regulators, academics, and NGOs through meetings, emails, social media, and partnerships.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?