{"v":"2026-11-02","dataVersion":"ONET-30.3+BLS-MAY25","code":"17-2051.02","slug":"water-wastewater-engineers","title":"Water/Wastewater Engineers","alt":["Engineer","Water Engineer","Wastewater Engineer","Remediation Engineer","County Engineer","Watershed Engineer","Consulting Engineer","Hydraulics Engineer","Dimensional Engineer","Water Project Engineer","Water Systems Designer","Hydrologic Modeler"],"employment":367840,"wage":{"median":100840,"p25":79930,"p75":129680},"growthPct":5,"exposure":57.4,"taskCount":28,"highCount":12,"midCount":15,"lowCount":1,"aeiObserved":0,"fit":{"mix":{"none":3.5,"efficient":17.2,"standard":28.7,"frontier":50.6},"counts":{"none":1,"efficient":5,"standard":8,"frontier":14},"recommended":"frontier","coveragePct":96.5,"addressablePct":96.5},"tasks":[{"t":"Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.","imp":4.68,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates"},{"t":"Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.","imp":4.3,"exp":65,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Analyzing Data or Information","auto":0.4211,"aug":0.5789},{"t":"Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems, aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings.","imp":4.19,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Evaluate the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater systems to identify ways to improve their efficiency.","imp":4,"exp":65,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events"},{"t":"Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards.","imp":3.95,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Making Decisions and Solving Problems"},{"t":"Design water distribution systems for potable or non-potable water.","imp":3.95,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Design pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for the collection of wastewater.","imp":3.95,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Conduct water quality studies to identify and characterize water pollutant sources.","imp":3.94,"exp":75,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Getting Information"},{"t":"Analyze and recommend chemical, biological, or other wastewater treatment methods to prepare water for industrial or domestic use.","imp":3.89,"exp":60,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Providing Consultation and Advice to Others","auto":0.2,"aug":0.8},{"t":"Identify design alternatives for the development of new water resources.","imp":3.8,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Developing Objectives and Strategies"},{"t":"Design water runoff collection networks, water supply channels, or water supply system networks.","imp":3.78,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water wells.","imp":3.76,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Conduct cost-benefit analyses for the construction of water supply systems, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.","imp":3.75,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Analyzing Data or Information","auto":0.3214,"aug":0.6786},{"t":"Provide technical support on water resource or treatment issues to government agencies.","imp":3.71,"exp":75,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Providing Consultation and Advice to Others"},{"t":"Conduct feasibility studies for the construction of facilities, such as water supply systems, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.","imp":3.71,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Getting Information"},{"t":"Analyze storm water or floodplain drainage systems to control erosion, stabilize river banks, repair channel streams, or design bridges.","imp":3.71,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Analyzing Data or Information"},{"t":"Oversee the construction of decentralized or on-site wastewater treatment systems, including reclaimed water facilities.","imp":3.63,"exp":15,"src":"heuristic","tier":null,"gwa":"Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates"},{"t":"Develop plans for new water resources or water efficiency programs.","imp":3.6,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work"},{"t":"Perform hydrological analyses, using three-dimensional simulation software, to model the movement of water or forecast the dispersion of chemical pollutants in the water supply.","imp":3.6,"exp":75,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Perform hydraulic analyses of water supply systems or water distribution networks to model flow characteristics, test for pressure losses, or to identify opportunities to mitigate risks and improve operational efficiency.","imp":3.59,"exp":75,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Analyzing Data or Information"},{"t":"Write technical reports or publications related to water resources development or water use efficiency.","imp":3.58,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Documenting/Recording Information","auto":0.449,"aug":0.551},{"t":"Analyze and recommend sludge treatment or disposal methods.","imp":3.5,"exp":60,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Providing Consultation and Advice to Others"},{"t":"Design water storage tanks or other water storage facilities.","imp":3.5,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Design sludge treatment plants.","imp":3.45,"exp":50,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Gather and analyze water use data to forecast water demand.","imp":3.44,"exp":75,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Getting Information"},{"t":"Conduct environmental impact studies related to water and wastewater collection, treatment, or distribution.","imp":3.41,"exp":75,"src":"heuristic","tier":"efficient","gwa":"Getting Information"},{"t":"Perform mathematical modeling of underground or surface water resources, such as floodplains, ocean coastlines, streams, rivers, or wetlands.","imp":3.36,"exp":75,"src":"heuristic","tier":"frontier","gwa":"Thinking Creatively"},{"t":"Analyze the efficiency of water delivery structures, such as dams, tainter gates, canals, pipes, penstocks, or cofferdams.","imp":3.27,"exp":75,"src":"heuristic","tier":"standard","gwa":"Analyzing Data or Information"}],"adjacent":[{"code":"51-8031.00","slug":"water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators","title":"Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators","overlap":0.75,"months":9,"exposure":20.8,"strong":true},{"code":"11-9121.02","slug":"water-resource-specialists","title":"Water Resource Specialists","overlap":0.75,"months":9,"exposure":42.4,"strong":true},{"code":"17-2081.00","slug":"environmental-engineers","title":"Environmental Engineers","overlap":0.73,"months":10,"exposure":60.4,"strong":true},{"code":"17-2051.00","slug":"civil-engineers","title":"Civil Engineers","overlap":0.69,"months":11,"exposure":41.3,"strong":true},{"code":"17-2021.00","slug":"agricultural-engineers","title":"Agricultural Engineers","overlap":0.66,"months":12,"exposure":56.4,"strong":true}]}