What does a Civil & Environmental Engineer do?

Civil and Environmental engineers plan, design, organise and supervise the construction and operation of engineering projects such as storm water systems, sustainable water systems including wetlands, dams and water supply systems, and they deal with the planning and management associated with pollution and waste engineering. They are equally concerned with the management of liquid and solid wastes as well as air and noise pollution, and an ecological approach to the conversion of toxic and hazardous wastes to non-toxic end products.

Civil and Environmental engineers may perform the following tasks:

• Investigate sites to determine the most suitable foundation for a proposed construction;
• Organise the delivery of materials, plant and equipment needed for the construction project and supervise labour;
• Establish detailed programs for the co-ordination of site activities;
• consult with other engineers, architects, landscape architects and environmental scientists;
• Assist government bodies in preparing yearly works programs within set budgets eg drainage or sewerage;
• Operate and program computers to assist with calculations;
• Co-ordinate and direct research development and testing of materials, processes or systems related to engineering works;
• Research, advise and plan on the control and minimisation of air, water and solid waste pollution, and the management of water;
• Supervise the testing and commissioning of completed works;
• Analyse and interpret reports on loading, labour, productivity, quality, materials and performance;
• Study design proposals and advise on the control of environmental conditions such as those associated with the gross pollution of air and water, and the more subtle damage to the human mind and body from poor engineering practices;
• Specialise in preparing specifications for facilities such as screens, grit chambers, sedimentation and sludge tanks, digesters, filters and other devices to control water and air pollution;
• Supervise the preparation of designs for industrial incinerators, and water treatment and sewage disposal plants;
• Advise on the control of excessive noise, smoke, radiation, and other pollutants;
• recommend and supervise disposal procedures to control noise, noxious fumes, petroleum products, greases, human and industrial waste and chemicals resulting from poor engineering design, carelessness or ignorance;
• Prepare reports and studies on environmental management; and
• Conduct audits of sites and monitoring programmes.

Where do Civil & Environmental Engineers work?

Civil and Environmental engineers may work in offices or spend much of their time on site. They work in various locations, as projects can be located within metropolitan or rural areas. They may be required to work long hours when working on major projects. Civil and Environmental engineers could work with a large team of professional, skilled and semi-skilled people.