“Water resources” broadly relates to the assessment

of the quantity, quality and variability of

groundwater and surface waters.

Water resources of the Philippines include inland freshwater (rivers, lakes, and groundwater), and
marine (bay, coastal, and oceanic waters). Overall, there is sufficient water but not enough in highly
populated areas, especially during dry season.
Under the first task, highway culvert design and flood mitigation are two examples. Water supply to
cities, industries and agricultural fields, hydroelectric power structures and navigation
improvements can be listed under the utilization of water. ... are related fields affecting water resources
engineering.
In the broader field, water resource engineers advise on sustainable use of resources by conserving
water, building dams and conveying water to users. Their planning ensures holistic, integrated
management of water which balances the needs of nature with those of users.

Water resources engineering also deals with:

Sewer systems for storms and wastewater.
Irrigation network.
River engineering, including ice covered rivers.
Hydraulic structures, including dams, spillways, floodways and reservoirs.
Seepage control.
Hydrology.
Floods, flow of mud and debris.
Wave analysis.

Applications include the design of hydraulic structures, such as sewage conduits, dams and
breakwaters, the management of waterways, such as erosion protection and flood protection, and
environmental management, such as prediction of the mixing and transport of pollutants in surface
water.
Water resources engineering is the quantitative study of the hydrologic cycle -- the distribution and
circulation of water linking the earth's atmosphere, land and oceans. Surface runoff is measured as the
difference between precipitation and abstractions, such as infiltration (which replenishes groundwater
flow), surface storage and evaporation. Applications include the management of the urban water
supply, the design of urban storm-sewer systems, and flood forecasting.
Hydraulic engineering consists of the application of fluid mechanics to water flowing in an isolated
environment (pipe, pump) or in an open channel (river, lake, ocean). Civil engineers are primarily
concerned with open channel flow, which is governed by the interdependent interaction between the
water and the channel.
Applications include the design of hydraulic structures, such as sewage conduits, dams and breakwaters,
the management of waterways, such as erosion protection and flood protection, and environmental
management, such as prediction of the mixing and transport of pollutants in surface water.
Hydroelectric-power development, water supply, irrigation and navigation are some familiar
applications of water resources engineering involving the utilization of water for beneficial purposes.
More recently, concern for preserving our natural environment and meeting the needs of developing
countries has increased the importance of water resources engineering.
Civil engineers play a vital role in the optimal planning, design and operation of water resource systems.
Job opportunities in hydrology and water resources are quite varied.
Positions are available in large and small consulting firms, and at all levels of government (municipal,
provincial and federal). Particularly in Quebec, due to its abundant water resources, hydrology has
played an important role in the social and economic development of the province.

An online Master of Science in Engineering at the University of California, Riverside is a first-

class ticket to opportunity. Featuring a wide variety of specializations – such as chemical, data
science, materials at the nanoscale and environmental – this program allows you to hone your
learning outcomes so they fit with what you’re most interested in and the field you’d like to enter
or further upon completion.
This aptly named last discipline – environmental engineering – has a litany of branches. One of
which is water resources engineering. Typically, water engineering is a branch of civil
engineering, but at the University of California, Riverside, it’s under the environmental
engineering umbrella.

Those with water resources engineering jobs play a uniquely important role in the preservation
and furtherance of Earth’s most abundant resource. Approximately three-quarters of the planet is
covered with water, according to most estimates. It’s a good thing that this is the case
considering it’s something that all living beings – humans, animals and plants – depend on in
order to survive.

That said, you may be wondering what, exactly, water resource engineers actually do. The
following will provide more specifics about this branch of environmental engineering so you can
decide if water engineering is an emphasis that you’d like to pursue as a career.

Water resources engineering is the study and management of equipment, facilities and
techniques that are used to manage and preserve life’s most plentiful resource. In addition to
assessing how and the best ways in which to control water as it pertains to water-related
activities – such as irrigation, waste disposal and canal development – water resource engineers
are also frequently involved in water management to ensure that it’s safe to drink both for
humans, plants and animal usage. As previously referenced, surface water makes up about 71%
of the planet, which is the equivalent of roughly 326 million cubic miles. At the same time,
though, just 3% of the Earth’s water is fresh, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. And of
this total, 2.5% of it is out of reach, contained in the soil, polar ice caps, the atmosphere and
glaciers or too polluted to use safely.
Water resource engineers may be tasked with the awesome responsibility of ensuring that the
planning and management of available water supply are adequately leveraged and remain safe to
use for as long as possible. They may also be involved in water treatment so that the quality of
water is improved upon for various end uses, whether that’s recreationally, commercially or
industrially.
Resources, by their very nature, are finite. There are only a small handful that are naturally
renewable – such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass. While water may be renewable in terms of
the many different ways it can be used and reused, it’s not as abundant as it once was, which
many earth scientists and climatologists point to as a function of climate change.

The Bureau of Reclamation provides some perspective as to just how limited this resource is in
terms of usability, despite its vastness. If the world’s water supply were roughly 26 gallons, the
amount of freshwater available for safe usage would be the equivalent to 0.003 liters. That’s
equal to roughly a half-teaspoon.

Water resource engineers may be charged with developing new systems or processes for private
or government entities that can preserve freshwater sources and find new ones. This may require
the assistance of civil engineers involved as well, designing water purification methods through
desalination or creating new equipment for contaminant transport when water is used for
irrigation purposes. Understanding what works and what doesn’t when it comes to water
resource management is often a combined effort and may involve a number of different analyses,
including hydrologic, which is the study of the water cycle and directions in which it flows,
which may be influenced by weather and other environmental forces.

Just as there are many branches of environmental engineering, the same is true for water
engineering. One of which is wastewater engineering. As its title implies, engineers in this role
are responsible for performing activities that can more effectively manage or safely transport
water that is no longer usable. This may involve wastewater treatment and detecting the degree
to which water is polluted via remote sensing. Wastewater engineers may also provide insight to
businesses or government entities on how to better clean or channel wastewater away from
sources like rivers and estuaries so they don’t become contaminated.

Whether you’re looking to enter water resource engineering as a new career or improve upon the
skills you already have, the UC Riverside online Master of Engineering program can help you
grow. In as little as 13 months, you can take your professional capabilities and earning potential
to new heights. Apply now to learn more.
 

Water Resource Engineers develop new equipment and systems for water resource
management facilities across the United States. The systems that Water Resource
Engineers create ensure that citizens are provided with a continuous supply of clean,
uncontaminated water for drinking, living, and recreational purposes. Water Resource
Engineers not only design these water management systems, but often oversee the
construction and maintenance of these systems as well. An increasing population and
continuous need for more water stimulates this fast-growing industry. A Bachelor's degree
and official certification are required to pursue this career, though many Water Resource
Engineers also go on to pursue their Masters Degrees.

Water Resource Engineering is a specific kind of civil engineering that involves the
design of new systems and equipment that help manage human water resources.
Some of the areas Water Resource Engineers touch on are water treatment
facilities, underground wells, and natural springs.

Water Resource Engineers must create new equipment and systems to increase the
effectiveness and efficiency of water treatment and aquatic resource management.
A typical workday involves the analysis of data from relevant areas, then designing
new or improved facilities to enhance the cleansing effects of the water treatment
system. A Water Resource Engineer must take budgetary constraints, government
regulations, and other factors into consideration when designing these systems. A
Water Resource Engineer may then oversee the construction and implementation
of these systems to ensure that they are properly assembled. After completion,
they may manage the maintenance of these systems.

Water Resource Engineers spend most of their time in an office looking over data
and designing new water resource management systems. However, part of the
work day may be spent at construction sites, allowing the Engineer to oversee the
construction of their designs. They may also find themselves in more industrial
environments when supervising maintenance on advanced equipment. Some
Water Resource Engineers choose to travel abroad to participate in large
engineering projects.

Most Water Resource Engineers work full-time, with many putting in more than 40
hours a week. This extra time allows them to properly oversee projects and assure
that everything is running smoothly.

Water resource engineers are employed by organisations right across the

water industry. Water suppliers abstract water from the environment, treat
it to the required standard and distribute it to household and non-household
customers. In the UK, the industry is regulated by the Environment Agency,
the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) and the Drinking Water
Inspectorate (DWI). Engineering and hydrological consultancies and
research bodies offer services to assist other organisations in planning and
managing water resources.

In the broader field, water resource engineers advise on sustainable use of

resources by conserving water, building dams and conveying water to users.
Their planning ensures holistic, integrated management of water which
balances the needs of nature with those of users.

Wherever the water resources engineer works, he or she will utilise a

number of fundamental skills and specialisms:
 Analysis of observed data
 Development of conceptual and numerical models of the hydrological
cycle
 Design and development of plans using industry standard
methodologies
 Feasibility and option analysis
 Technical and commercial reporting
 Public consultation and presentation
 Options appraisal including cost estimation
 Programme and/or project management
 Assessment of uncertainty and risks including extreme events e.g.
floods and droughts
 Root cause analysis and problem solving
 Analytical review of peers’ work
 Advising on best management of water in its natural state

More detailed information on roles within the water resources sector can be
found within our water supply, wastewater and flood risk management
career profiles.

Water resources engineering generally deals with the provision of

water for human use, and the development of techniques for the
prevention of destruction from floods. Water resources engineering
also includes the planning and management of facilities that are
constructed for these tasks like making canals for irrigation and
sewers for drainage and to avoid waterlogging, and all other issues
related with the usage and control of water.

To meet the water requirements of society and the environment,

initially an estimate is carried out regarding the water available, the
demand now and projected demand when the work will complete
and future considerations, and then the requisite infrastructure is
designed, including the water treatment plants and the pipes
network, for the conveyance of water to the taps and waste water
from the toilets to the treatment units.
What Are Water Resources
Water resources are origin of water that are essentially required by
humans, and water is basically used for agriculture, industry,
domestic purposes, and environmental events.

Water on the earth is mostly salt water with only 3% as fresh water.
The majority of the fresh water is frozen in glaciers and the polar ice
caps, and the remainder is found as ground water, with only a
fraction available above the ground. Although fresh water is
considered to be available as a renewable resource, the supply of
pure fresh water is gradually decreasing in the world. The rate of
increase in world population exceeds the rate at which the water
supply is increasing so that there is an acute shortage of water in
many parts of the world. During the twentieth century, more than
half of all global wetlands were lost.

Other Tasks of Water Resources Engineering

Water resources engineering also deals with:

 Sewer systems for storms and wastewater.

 Irrigation network.
 River engineering, including ice covered rivers.
 Hydraulic structures, including dams, spillways, floodways and
reservoirs.
 Seepage control.
 Hydrology.
 Floods, flow of mud and debris.
 Wave analysis.