Water, wastewater and the future

Approximately 2.6 billion people in the world still do not have access to basic sanitation services, and around 3900 children die every day due to poor hygienic conditions. The vast majority of countries ensured the health protection through the establishment of sanitation services. However, there are still many countries where such services are completely lacking.

Water management systems in Germany ensure these standard requirements of health protection and preservation of water resources. These standards should also be satisfied in future, considering various challenges such as climate change, elimination of pharmaceutical residues and resources recovery from wastewater.

As an environmental engineer, you will be active in different areas of supply and disposal systems for different structures, including:

  • Drinking water as the most vital element to the human health, which is monitored carefully to maintain the necessary quality standards.
  • Drainage system for collecting rainwater and wastewater should be planned, constructed and operated.
  • Wastewater treatment plants can transform the wastewater with several treatment processes to safe drinking water.

Both nationally and internationally there is a high demand for well-trained environmental engineers.

Urban water management as an interdisciplinary job

The tasks of an environmental engineer in the urban water management sector is characterized by interdisciplinary teams and requires skills in the field of classical civil engineering (e.g. in the planning and construction of residential water management systems) and knowledge in the field of process engineering / biology / chemistry (e.g. in planning and operation of treatment plants of drinking water / wastewater treatment) as well as knowledge in the field of electrical planning (e.g. for controls in residential water management systems).

Several professional associations, e.g. DWA, DVGW or IWA offer a platform for connecting young professionals as well as the cooperation and knowledge transfer of experienced engineers.

Job outlook: where do you see yourself in future?

With a bachelor or master degree from Bundeswehr University Munich, you can fulfill various engineering tasks in public or private companies.

Potential employers in drinking water, wastewater and waste management sectors are engineering offices, construction companies, ministries, water authorities, professional associations, and universities. The German armed forces also provide many opportunities that young environmental engineers can gain their first professional experience.

Besides the direct employment, it is also possible to pursue doctoral education. Therefore, Chair of Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management at Bundeswehr University Munich provides opportunities to learn, apply and develop scientific methods during your Ph.D. program. The practical research projects also facilitate contacts with public and private companies.