What is environmental Engineering?

Environmental engineers contribute to society's well being by designing facilities such as the Wastewater Treatment Plant pictured above.

Environmental Engineering is a relatively new profession that evolved from Civil Engineering. Environmental Engineers are concerned about maintaining and sustaining the ecological balance of the world. This is accomplished by using physical, chemical, and biological processes to minimize the discharge of pollutants into the environment and to use these same processes to treat contaminated environments. Environmental Engineers identify and design engineered systems to protect the air, land, and water.

During the past 30 years, environmental policy and public safety have emerged as primary initiatives. There is a greater concern for using our natural resources wisely and maintaining our ecosystem. Man-made calamities such as Priority I Hazardous Waste Sites, Love Canal, Chernobyl, Exxon Valdez Accident, and the Bhopal Disaster are just a few examples where the environment was severely contaminated by the release of pollutants resulting in the death of people, wildlife, and the contamination of our environment.

Another career path environment engineers may choose to follow is to work in Water Resources. Environmental engineers design Water Treatment Facilities similar to the one pictured above.

The primary concern of Environmental Engineering is the protection of the public's health, safety, and well being. Environmental engineers use physical, chemical, and biological processes learned from the sciences and public health, and transform them into engineered systems that reduce and minimize the release of pollutants into the environment. We work and interact with scientists, lawyers, chemists, and other types of engineers on a wide array of projects to maintain a healthy environment.

Environmental engineers identify new sources of drinking water and are involved in the design and construction of conveyance and water distribution systems. We are responsible for the selection and design of unit operations and unit processes necessary for producing potable water. Environmental engineers select, design, and specify unit operations and unit processes involved for treating domestic and industrial wastewaters so that it can be safely discharged back into receiving waters or reused for irrigation and water supply.

Environmental engineering is an ideal career for those wishing to help the environment while undertaking hands-on projects. Pictured above-- Composted Biosolids.

Environmental engineers are charged with implementing and designing systems that meet environmental standards and control pollution in water, in the air, on land, and in the groundwater. We consult with regional authorities in the site selection, design, construction, and management of sanitary landfills. Environmental engineers assess the danger of groundwater contamination, devise plans to minimize ecological risk, and treat contaminated sites. Furthermore, we study atmospheric conditions and the effects of point and non-point sources of emissions on the surrounding community. Environmental engineers recommend process improvements to reduce the amount of spent/utilized industrial waste.

Employment opportunities for environmental engineering graduates are diverse. Major employment opportunities include consulting engineering firms, industrial facilities, federal, state, and local governments, as well as regulatory agencies.