Vinoth Manoharan has 19 years of experience in water and wastewater infrastructure, including 12 years leading major initiatives from our Houston office. He specializes in the planning, design and delivery of complex water and wastewater treatment plants and pump stations across Texas, with a strong track record of managing multi-disciplinary teams and navigating regulatory and funding challenges. Vinoth also leads our water and wastewater treatment team in Houston, partnering with offices across the country to deliver resilient, community-centered solutions.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

Growing up and seeing the effects of untreated water on public health and safety motivated me to become a water and wastewater engineer. I carried that motivation into my education, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and then a master’s degree in environmental engineering, where I focused specifically on water and wastewater treatment. That path shaped my entire career and continues to drive my commitment to preserving water resources for all.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

My favorite project is the 360-million-gallon-per-day (MGD) City of Houston East Water Purification Plant. It was the first project I was assigned to when I joined ArchTam and I’ve been involved in various aspects of its design and improvements ever since.

The project began with a Sustainability Evaluation Study to assess and recommend strategies for long-term plant sustainability. Over more than a decade, it has evolved into a series of impactful improvements that have strengthened the facility and its operations. Throughout this time, I have built strong relationships with the operations and maintenance staff, and the engineering team — everyone who keeps it running. Being responsive and accountable to the client has been key, and it’s rewarding to know that our work is helping Houstonians access safe, clean drinking water.

When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, our team’s foresight and preparation ensured the East Water Purification Plant stayed operational, keeping safe water flowing to millions despite record-breaking rainfall. Planning ahead for vulnerabilities and implementing critical improvements made all the difference. Most recently, we completed a condition assessment of the plant facilities and developed a facility master plan to address deficiencies and create a blueprint for future capacity expansion. A recommendation was made to decommission Plants 1 and 2 to make way for a more resilient treatment facility. This recommendation will provide long-term reliability and redundancy with a focus on producing clean and safe drinking water sustainably.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

I’m working on three different projects for the City of Port Lavaca, a historically underserved community. One of the key initiatives involves expanding their wastewater treatment plant, significantly improving infrastructure to support future growth and environmental resilience. The challenge was that they didn’t have the financial capability to fund the expansion.

We explored different grant options, but they didn’t qualify for any at the time. After extensive research into alternatives, we were able to secure a loan for them through the Texas Water Development Board. We applied on their behalf and successfully obtained funding, which will reduce impact and help the city and its residents move forward.

It felt rewarding to be involved from the very beginning, helping build the project all the way through and truly making a difference for the community.

Share a piece of career advice.

Starting your engineering career strong is essential. Early on, focus on earning the trust of senior colleagues and clients by consistently showing initiative and accountability. Demonstrating a willingness to take ownership not only builds credibility — it sets the foundation for long-term career growth.

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Gordon Geoffrey started in the industry in 1979 as a technologist with a diploma in Civil Engineering. He designed land development projects in the winter and was the on-site inspector in the summer. After working for six years, he went to university and completed his engineering degree. Since then, he transitioned to an office role as a designer and project manager of water resources and conveyance projects for public institutions and private industry. Over the years, this expanded into team management and then into department management.   

His current role is Discipline Lead, Civil Engineering in the Calgary water department. In this role, he works as a technical design manager for utilities and site civil works on a wide variety of projects including roads and highways, light rail transit, water and wastewater treatment plants and pipelines. He leads design teams and interacts directly with other discipline project teams to ensure the project meets the clients’ needs. Additionally, he is responsible for the overall quality control for work output from the water department, serving as a senior reviewer and Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) responsible member. 

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry. 

As a kid, I had a big sandbox where I created intricate roadways with bridges and tunnels. After trying a few other career types after high school — and not enjoying them — I ended up going back to my childhood fun space: designing and building civil infrastructure.  

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

My favourite project is the North Calgary Water Servicing Study for the City of Calgary, Canada where I was a technical design manager. We considered innovative methods to convey a high flow rate of potable water into north Calgary, which would reduce reliance on a single, older, large diameter water transmission line. The original proposed route had significant issues including high pumping heads and power costs, very high transient pressures and a very large public impact to over 10 kilometers of roadway.

Through a very intensive alignment review process, we identified a route that used deep tunnelling to remove the engineering and operational obstacles by removing the requirement for pumping and routing half the alignment away from roadways. Using net present value analysis, we clearly proved that, while very expensive, the tunnelling route would end up saving hundreds of millions of dollars over a 60-year period. This project allowed me freedom to think and work outside the box, reviewing concepts and ideas collaboratively with our client and then generating a design. 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

Most of my engineering work has been focused on serving as a trusted advisor to improve the quality of life for communities — enhancing mobility, decreasing chance and impact of flooding, improving resiliency and reliability of basic water and sanitary systems, reducing environmental impacts, and reducing installation, operations and maintenance costs of the local civil infrastructure. These are some of the ways I have positively impacted the communities I have worked in. 

Share a piece of career advice.

Never stop learning. Always look for opportunities to expand your knowledge horizon. 

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Alicia DuPree has over 19 years of experience in the water industry, with a specialty in long-range master planning. She has held roles on both the client and consultant side, beginning as a water resources engineer at a water engineering and consulting firm before working for seven years with Aurora Water in Colorado. At Aurora Water, she held multiple positions, culminating with a role as lead planner for the water and non-potable system. In 2020, she joined ArchTam at the encouragement of colleagues who described a working environment that offers a work life balance with a great team.  

Today, Alicia is a subject matter expert for water/wastewater master planning projects across ArchTam, serving as project manager or technical lead on multiple large-scale, complicated projects with complex master plans. She is also an active leader and resource in the water/wastewater master planning group in the Technical Practice Network.  

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry. 

During college, I was deciding between the medical and the engineering routes, and a professor pointed out that when you’re a doctor, you can impact one patient at a time, but when you’re an engineer, you impact entire communities — and those impacts can be much larger and longer lasting. That was what made me choose engineering: I wanted to create positive impacts for my community. 

I chose water specifically because it is an absolute necessity, and directly impacts a community’s ability to thrive. It also allowed me to be a silent servant, which was important to me. I want to ensure people have safe, reliable drinking water and can be a part of responsible community decisions that will last for years to come. This is something that I can do to shape communities and help people, even as they may be unaware of the work behind the scenes to make sure they have everything they need.  

The thing that is unique about ArchTam is how they support work-life balance. It is a sweet time in my family life with a young daughter at home, and ArchTam allows me the flexibility to enjoy that and be there for her. It’s rare for someone in my position to work part-time, but here I work 32 hours a week and am still advancing my career and working on amazing projects. It helps me enjoy my job so much more to have time for both my career and family. ArchTam truly supports women and flexible working arrangements, and if you are ambitious and driven, there is plenty of opportunity for you to grow here in a supportive company. 

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

One project that stands out right now is the Salt Lake City (SLC) Big Cottonwood Water Treatment Plant Rebuild Project. It’s different than my other master planning projects as initially we started working on just one project to rebuild their water treatment plant before it turned into a program. 

When we first started working on the project, the client was looking at six different location options for the treatment plant and having a very challenging time deciding the best option based on their complex scoring criteria. Since I have a utility background, I asked if they would be open to letting me provide a suggestion. I worked with them to narrow down their selection criteria to the most critical factors for success, the key items that should be driving the decision. Once we helped them identify those things it gave them clarity to see the best path forward. We are now helping them design their larger strategy as a result, and even ensuring they are capturing their water supply and protecting it from any natural disaster scenarios in the future by helping them design a pump station and creek channel.   

It’s been fun to see the project evolve and be able to support the client through the different evolutions. Part of the reason I love being on this team is the opportunity to provide guidance to the client on critical decisions needed to shape their strategy moving forward.  

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

I would say all my projects positively impact the community because they are helping the community have a strategy for the future, but one project that has been especially great to work on is the City of Lakewood Wastewater Master Plan Update in Colorado.  

Lakewood is facing challenges frequently experienced by many cities in the U.S. West region, where the original wastewater infrastructure was not sized for the type of development and growth occurring today. Originally, the system was built for single family homes, but now the city is evolving to include many mixed-use developments with commercial facilities on lower floors and apartments and condos above. That’s created a much greater water demand and produced additional sewer flows. 

The pipelines now are too small, so as we evaluate and plan for their future system, we are making sure the infrastructure is adequately sized for today, as well as future development and growth. We prioritize the most important improvements, and continually monitor their wastewater system over time to keep pace with the changing landscape of their development.  

The client is very forward thinking, and I’ve enjoyed collaborating with them to identify the problem, analyze it together, and decide on the best options going forward. I’ve been able to better help them develop a strategy to adapt their system to these new types of developments that communities want to see. We’re trying to help them plan ahead so when they make a change, it’s a lasting one.   

Share a piece of career advice. 

Always be willing to try something new. I was able to find what I love to do because I’m always motivated to explore different opportunities outside my comfort zone. Even now, 20 years into my career, I’m constantly trying different things and that has helped me stay engaged and find my focus.  

I also would say don’t be afraid to ask questions. Especially when people are new in their careers, they don’t want to look bad, but then they don’t learn and grow. If you ask your question, someone will help you figure out what you’re missing, and I wish I had learned that earlier in my career.  

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Sean Gilchrist is an accomplished professional who has served as industry director in Australia since October 2023. With over 13 years of experience at ArchTam, Sean has demonstrated expertise in a wide range of skills including water management, project management, waste management, environmental engineering, and sustainability. 

In his current role, Sean is instrumental in leading industry initiatives and driving strategic projects. His extensive experience encompasses water treatment, project planning, water resources, water quality, wastewater treatment, environmental auditing, proposal writing, environmental compliance, feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments. 

Sean’s commitment to excellence and leadership in managing complex projects have significantly contributed to ArchTam’s success and the sustainable development of communities. 

What inspired you to join the industry? 

I studied civil engineering at the University of Technology Sydney. During this time, I also spent a year as an exchange student at INSA Lyon – Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon in France, where I immersed myself in the field. 

My journey into the water sector began in my university days, when I found myself excelling in hydraulics and public health engineering. Thanks to a recommendation from my university professor, I secured my first job in the field after graduation. That recommendation set the stage for what has been an incredibly fulfilling and globe-trotting career.  

I’ve had the privilege of working primarily in Australia, managing significant water and environmental projects, but my career has also taken me abroad. I’ve done stints in California and Colorado, working in water and wastewater consulting services, and I’ve delivered industrial water and environmental services throughout Southeast Asia. Additionally, my early international exposure as an exchange student in Europe further ignited my passion for a global career. It’s the kind of career that can take you anywhere in the world, and I’ve loved every minute of it. 

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why? 

I’ve got three. First is the Rouse Hill Water Recycling Plant project in Sydney, which involves working with a constructor on new inlet works at the existing plant to enhance the initial stage of separating contaminants from incoming wastewater, but also to cater to a growing population, and provide increased capacity for more recycling. At ArchTam, we are committed to delivering sustainable legacies for communities that we serve, and given Australia’s limited water resources, more recycling plants like Rouse Hill are crucial.  

We also need to diversify our drinking water sources and become less dependent on rainfall, which we can achieve through desalination and purified recycled water programs. So, my second favourite project at the moment is the expansion of the Sydney Desalination Plant where I am leading the ArchTam team to help the owner double the plant capacity and make Sydney more resilient in times of drought, as well as to supply drinking water to the increasing number of people who want to call Sydney their home.  

And thirdly, a few years back now, I led the Western Sydney Master Plan where we adopted new adaptive planning and integrated water management approaches to plan new water infrastructure and programs. This project’s goal was to help cool Western Sydney with recycled wastewater and stormwater flows and to create green spaces and tree canopies, as well as more active and passive recreational water spaces — improving the region’s liveability. In our approach, we embraced circular economy principles, emphasizing wastewater and biosolids recycling to ensure a sustainable future.  

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. 

One of the most exciting aspects of the water sector is its diversity of projects. Once you head down this career path, you’ll find there’s plenty on offer. From stormwater to wastewater and drinking water, it’s a vast field with so much to explore and contribute to. For the Rouse Hill project, for instance, we’re also designing an improved treatment process that will better treat the wastewater flows the plant receives in wet weather, which in turn supports better public health and environment outcomes.  

The variety of projects and exposure to different types of work ultimately drew me to ArchTam. I love working with our global subject matter experts and bringing their expertise to our clients locally in Australia and New Zealand. It’s something that really excites me and keeps me engaged. Every project we undertake has a tangible impact on communities and the environment, from ensuring safe drinking water to managing stormwater and wastewater systems that protect public health and natural ecosystems. 

Share a piece of career advice. 

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to young engineers, it’s to focus on the circular economy and sustainability. These are crucial topics that are often easier to talk about than to implement in practice. But if you want to make a real impact, ArchTam is the place for you. We’re always looking for people who are passionate about sustainability and ready to make it happen. Engineers play a crucial role in turning sustainability from a buzzword into reality. 

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Matthew Fast is a member of the Caledonia Water Alliance (our joint venture with Morrison Water Services) design team working across wastewater and clean water programs for Scottish Water. He specializes in hydraulic design for wastewater and clean water systems, emphasizing safety and carbon reduction. Matthew develops spreadsheets to optimize design processes and quickly generate bills of quantities with a focus on reducing carbon to protect the environment. 

What inspired you to join the industry? 

From a young age, I have been fascinated by the way water flows and its impact on communities, especially in regions where water is scarce, like South Africa. This early interest, combined with my love for technical design, naturally led me to pursue civil engineering. 

I studied civil engineering in South Africa thanks to the scholarship provided by ArchTam and worked for the Dams and Hydropower regional team after graduation. While in South Africa, I also had the opportunity to work remotely for our Water business line in Glasgow. 

Driven by a passion for water infrastructure and a desire to solve complex problems, I found my calling in the water sector. Providing water security to communities is what interests me the most about my work. 

I enjoy working alongside my team to optimize work approaches and leverage innovative technology and software to make a meaningful impact. 

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

I have worked across multiple teams in different countries and markets. So, my experience is diverse, ranging from ensuring water security in Mozambique to Bertha Park in Scotland. 

My favourite projects have been Corumana Dam in Mozambique which was essential to ensuring water security for the people of Mozambique’s capital city, Cwm Taf in Wales, and Bertha Park in Scotland. I have enjoyed the challenge these large-scale projects have presented.  

As the designer on the Bertha Park project, I handled a range of responsibilities including general design work, CAD, and ensuring safety throughout the design and construction phases. One of the primary challenges was designing the large-scale wastewater reinforcement sewer, which is the joint largest wastewater pipe in the UK. This involved meticulous planning to avoid impacting underground utilities and addressing issues related to road works and working in confined spaces with key stakeholders. Despite these challenges, the project is still ongoing and remains my favourite due to the complexity and variety of elements it required me to consider. Its completion is crucial for preventing flooding in Perth. 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. 

As much as I enjoy the large-scale big budget projects I have worked on, I also fondly think of the smaller-scale projects where I was able to engage with the local communities more frequently and see the drastic changes water security brought to them.  

For example, some projects in South Africa, where water is a scarce resource, involved providing taps to the communities that didn’t have access to clean running water and ensuring them with water security for years to come. 

Share a piece of career advice. 

Get experience in as many different areas as you can early on in your career so that you can find what interests you most. 

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Eirini Kolyvaki has over nine years of professional experience in civil design, geomatics engineering and BIM. Since joining ArchTam in 2015, she has played a key role in Scottish Water’s Caledonia Water Alliance. As a civil engineer, she has contributed to major projects like Bertha Park, using innovative solutions to minimize environmental impact and community disruption. Her work has been crucial in delivering clean water to new homes and improving the resilience of the Scottish Water network. 

What inspired you to join the industry? 

After completing a Master of Engineering and a Master of Science, I worked as a research assistant in a 2-year university programme in Greece. However, I always wanted to expand my horizons by working abroad. So, after the completion of this programme, I decided to move to the United Kingdom and start my career in the construction industry. 

I worked in the building sector for a few years. While planning for my career progression in the industry, I learned about the Water engineer role at ArchTam, which seemed like an excellent opportunity to widen my knowledge in a different civil engineering field and help improve quality of life for communities. I have always loved problem solving and thinking outside of the box, and I strongly believed that a large organisation such as ArchTam could provide many opportunities to get exposure to different engineering aspects and sectors. 

I joined ArchTam in 2015 and was engaged in Caledonia Water Alliance since my first day, delivering infrastructure projects for Scottish Water. 

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?  

Over the past few years, I have been involved in the Bertha Park project as a civil engineer. It is one of the largest projects within Caledonia Water Alliance and is a major water project in Perth, Scotland, which aims to supply clean water to a new mixed-use development (consisting of 3,000 residential units, a secondary school and commercial units), accommodate the expected population growth in the area and build resilience in the existing Scottish Water network. The project involves the design and construction of several water and wastewater pipelines and a new distribution service reservoir. 

One of the challenges we have faced in this project involves design constraints such as river and road crossings. To work around this, we utilised trenchless crossing methods to avoid road closures and undermining of structures, and to reduce our environmental impact. 

Working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment with mechanical, electrical, process, structural, geotechnical, hydraulics, flooding, highways, rail and temporary works teams has broadened my knowledge and technical expertise. Moreover, being involved in the full lifecycle of the project from initial design to the construction stage was a valuable experience. 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. 

For every project I have worked on, there has always been a focus on respecting and engaging with the local communities by minimizing disturbance, investing in local suppliers and reducing carbon emissions. In the Bertha Park project, for example, we incorporated sustainable materials into the design where existing ground materials were reused and mixed with an eco-proactive binder resulting in a small import of aggregates and zero offsite disposal. We also reduced the required earthworks for the structure of the distribution service reservoir. This was a challenging exercise as the required hydraulic levels and site screening could not be compromised. Solutions such as these have a positive impact on our communities and the environment. 

With this project we aim to supply clean water to more than 3,000 new homes and build resilience for the existing Scottish Water network. 

Share a piece of career advice. 

When it comes to our career journey, it is important to see the big picture and find a purpose — aspects of our work that make us feel more motivated. During this journey, there might be moments where we need to re-evaluate our purpose and find new goals for our professional development. It always helps to look for an impactful organisational culture, step out of our comfort zone, embrace our diversities and never stop learning. 

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Stefanie Massey, based in Texas, is a process mechanical engineer and project manager focused on wastewater treatment plants, pump stations and lift station rehabilitation. She joined us 15 years back as an intern and has since served as a people manager, lead verifier and technical auditor. In 2023, she was named a U.S. Top Young Professional by Engineering News-Record Texas & Louisiana. 

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry. 

I’ve always had a keen interest in math, science and understanding how things work, so I knew a career in engineering would be right for me. However, I just didn’t know which branch. When I started taking classes to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, I realized I was missing the human element of engineering, — i.e. designing solutions that benefit communities and engage end users. Water bridged this gap for me, so I began an internship with ArchTam’s Water team and never left.  

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

A couple of weeks before the COVID-19 lockdowns began in 2020, we’d just kicked off a wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation project located outside of Dallas-Fort Worth for which I was the project manager. To adhere to the delivery schedule, we had to move our team interactions to a virtual environment very quickly and determine how we could conduct field assessments safely and maintain quality standards — all while balancing everything that was coming at us in our personal lives.  

The project included rehabilitation and improvements to multiple structures and systems within the wastewater treatment plant, from mechanical improvements at one of the primary clarifiers and the replacement of slide gates and valves, to the addition of vegetation for odor control, and replacement of a biotrickling filter, a building roof and site lighting. The project included multiple disciplines with team members located across several offices. The client received four bids for the construction phase. Due to the quality of our design and tender documents, the bid range was approximately 2 percent from our estimated construction cost. 

We’re now wrapping up the construction and as I reflect on our journey to get to this point, I realize this project affirmed how we can adapt and develop creative solutions as a team to deliver great results for our clients and their stakeholders. For that reason, it’s my favorite project. 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. 

We’re currently part of a large, complex raw water pipeline project that aims to transfer water from East Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to meet the area’s future water demands. It comprises 150 miles of pipelines ranging from 84 inches to 108 inches in diameter. Our team has served as the program manager from the outset. I have supported the program through coordinating permits with the state transportation department, counties, cities, and franchise utilities. It’s exciting to be part of a forward-thinking project that‘s bringing a sustainable water supply to an area with a growing population and rising economic activity, safeguarding the community’s future for years to come. 

Share a piece of career advice. 

We must remember that both our professional life and our personal life complete us as an individual. I encourage others to bring their whole selves to work by sharing who they are outside of the workplace, whether that’s their hobbies, interests, values and personal life, so we can all understand and support one another better.    

Since following this advice myself, I’ve found my interactions both inside and out of the workplace have vastly improved and I have a better work-life balance as a result. 

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Zuliana Mawani has over 20 years of consulting experience in the Canadian water sector. She began her career at ArchTam as a process engineer in the wastewater treatment group, building a solid technical foundation and proficiency over a decade of work. She is mainly focused on municipal wastewater treatment honing her skills in process evaluation, optimization, and plant modeling, as well as process and mechanical design. Recognized for her collaborative management approach and problem-solving skills, she has consistently delivered outstanding solutions to clients on major water projects across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Ontario.

In 2023, Zuliana returned to ArchTam to take her current position as vice president and operations manager for the Water business in the GTA. Today, she provides day-to-day business leadership and direction, including staff management, project oversight, and client relations management to achieve quality and safety while meeting client goals. She is passionate about the culture of the Water group and strives to create an atmosphere where people enjoy the work they’re doing while simultaneously growing the business.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I always knew I wanted to be in a business that would have a lasting community impact. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of engineering and had an affinity for math and physics, so it was a natural fit for me. I was drawn to the water sector because of its impact on people’s lives. Access to clean drinking water and sanitation can be a differentiator in the success of a community. I like the idea of solving problems and contributing to this fundamental service that we all need.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

When I was a younger engineer, one of the first projects I worked on was the Clarkson Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion in Canada. It was my first step into municipal engineering and the first project where I was given an opportunity to be heavily involved with the design development process.  I had a chance to put a solid mark on this massive showpiece project, and begin to hone in my wastewater process engineering skills by working alongside our in-house experts. It’s now come full circle as we have recently started working with the plant for their next expansion. I was able to work with the team to win the project and now we are delivering its next phase.

This project has been very symbolic – from first being on the front lines delivering the project, to being part of the team that is now establishing a legacy for Clarkson and for ArchTam.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

We have recently been working on the Woodward Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant, a landmark project for the city of Hamilton. The city and the province initiated the project with the goal of improving the condition and general health of Hamilton Harbour’s aquatic ecosystem and transforming the beach into a space that the community can utilize. This project has been going on a very long time with several partners in the industry, and it has been very challenging as it’s the largest plant using disk filter technology and requires some of the highest levels of contaminant removals of any plant in the province.  

ArchTam is a key player in this project, and through years of work and efforts, we have put in higher treatment levels which will produce cleaner water than normally required for a sewage treatment plant. This level of water treatment has never been seen before at this scale in the province and probably across the country. We’re seeing positive tangible impact on the health of the Hamilton Harbour, making the water cleaner for swimming and aquatic habitat.

The project has also been made into a place of learning, as we have incorporated a trail system behind the facility. The trails and walkways feature many interactive components and learning stations where the community can come and understand what each facility contributes to the water and wastewater plant and how it’s used and managed within the city. This project will be completed soon and will have a lasting impact on the city and people of Hamilton.

Share a piece of career advice.

I have always been ambitious, accepting several opportunities that came my way. I have heard people say, “No, you’re not ready for this,” “This is not your time,” “You’re not good enough for this,” and “This is not your thing.”  – and sometimes, they were right! – But that wasn’t a reason to stop. I went back to regroup and think about what I needed to do.  And then, I moved forward.

My advice is to keep going. Don’t let someone else determine where things stop for you.

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Kunal Olimattel is a resident engineer focused on water and wastewater treatment, with an emphasis on the removal of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS). She joined ArchTam in 2021, after completing her doctoral degree program in Environmental Engineering from the University of Central Florida. She recently completed work on the Toho Parkway Water Reclamation Facility Water Quality Evaluation and will soon be starting work on a PFAS treatment study for Seminole County in Florida.  

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry. 

As a child, I was told my grandfather — a civil engineer — built the apartment building we lived in. I now know he was part of the team that helped build it, because it takes a team to do something like that. But I remember going out and seeing the buildings my grandfather and his team built, thinking about the people who benefited from their work. That started me on the path to being a civil engineer.  

After I completed my bachelor’s degree and started my first job, I quickly realized the importance of reliable water infrastructure for communities. Fresh out of engineering school, I was tasked with stage testing a river and studying infiltration rate for a subsurface cooling water intake project for a large power plant in Chhattisgarh, India. The intake system comprised of a network of large diameter perforated pipes under the riverbed and extended across the riverbanks. The water seeped into the pipes and was conveyed to an intake well where it was pumped into the plant.  

During the study, I met local farmers from the protected Korwa tribe. I was inspired by their ingenious way of manually digging shallow wells using a pulley system made of bamboo. The farmers shared how they come to the riverbanks every year to grow produce which would be harvested before the arrival of the monsoon floods. These manually dug, shallow wells tapped into the equally shallow water table which was used to water the plants. Between the submersion of the area from a future dam, and the impacts of the power plant, the farmers had a lot of questions about how they would sustain themselves during those months.  

This experience was an impactful one. It shaped my understanding of water’s value as a resource and how people’s livelihoods depend on it.  

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

I’m always learning. And that means there’s a favorite part of every project I work on. An example is one of my current projects, which involves helping communities in Florida affected by hurricanes. My team and I are tasked with reviewing engineering applications for flood protection projects and putting together a cost-benefit analysis by comparing the storm damages before and after the mitigation project.  

It’s really interesting work. Not only have I learned about different ways of estimating storm damages and how flood mitigation projects are designed, but I also got to understand the workings of public grants from the side of the funding agency. The success of this project will grant funding to municipal groups, providing the resources they need to prepare and reduce the effects of future flooding events. 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

We are currently working with the Toho Water Authority in Central Florida. They’re servicing the Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Poinciana areas, which have seen steep population growth in the past decade. That growth has resulted in new service areas being added and booming customer numbers in existing service areas. ArchTam was tasked with evaluating nine water plants to improve the quality of their tap water and meet the growing water needs. 

During this evaluation, I conducted bench and pilot scale studies to evaluate two treatment options – effectiveness of force draft aeration and pH adjustments followed by chlorine oxidation for sulfide treatment for some of the plants. Results from pilot testing, like the optimal pH and CO2 doses, formed the basis of design for the full-scale treatment. So far, one project is under construction and another will begin construction shortly, while the remaining are in the design phase. 

I come from a background of research and experimentation, and I spend a portion of my time doing field experiments and practical research to study the effects of a proposed treatment. We begin by testing at bench scale in stepwise increments to optimize process parameters like chemical doses, contact times and feed quality. These parameters are further optimized by longer and more rigorous pilot scale studies. Based on this research, you get the design of the final system, which then gets put into place. And for me, as an engineer, there is nothing more gratifying than seeing projects come to fruition — as something that I tested on a bench goes out in the plant, which then serves thousands of people.

Share a piece of career advice. 

Do work that interests you and surround yourself with good people. As someone who is curious by nature, I want to know what’s going on with the water during treatment. At ArchTam, I get to find the answers to these questions regularly. I also have the privilege to work with, interact and learn from industry experts who have done pioneering work in their field.  I researched PFAS treatment during my doctoral studies and recently the EPA announced new PFAS regulations for drinking water. I see this as the ideal opportunity to leverage my doctoral research experience to help develop solutions that will ultimately benefit people and the industry.  

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Cosmin Chiselencu is a resident engineer focused on municipal wastewater treatment design and construction. Prior to joining ArchTam, Cosmin worked as a field technician and was also a combat engineer in the Canadian Armed Forces.  

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

My inclination towards math and the sciences inspired me to join the engineering industry. I found the practical nature of civil engineering appealing because it is easy to see the tangible results of my work, whether it is seeing a design being built or inspecting an existing structure. I embraced the hands-on aspect of civil engineering through lab work, where I studied concrete and soils in courses like soils mechanics. This practical, applied learning resonated with my personality and further solidified my passion for the field. 

After graduating from university, I worked as a field inspector at a company that specialized in concrete testing and bridge inspections. I enjoyed inspecting structures, documenting damages and conducting concrete testing. My career took a different turn when I joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a combat engineer, coordinating resources for various operations.  

I then joined ArchTam, where I’ve recently celebrated my five-year anniversary.   

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why? 

My favourite project has been the City of Toronto’s Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades, a complex undertaking that I’ve been dedicated to since I joined ArchTam.   

As the second largest wastewater treatment plant in Canada, the project covers a broad spectrum of disciplines, including electrical, process, mechanical, civil and structural engineering. The plant serves the central portion of Toronto and will host the first UV disinfection system for the city. The project involves three phases: first, upgrading the water pumping station with new pumps and upgrades to the city’s electrical substation; second, constructing a UV disinfection system with 12 channels to disinfect bacteria using UV light; and third, implementing a new bypass conduit for large storm events.  

The project is technically complex, involving multiple disciplines including heavy civil, mechanical and electrical work. In particular, the UV disinfection system is an innovative and environment friendly form of treatment. I take pride in contributing to a sustainable water treatment project that pushes the boundaries of engineering. It has been a tremendous learning opportunity for me and the support and guidance from my team have played a crucial role in the project’s success. 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. 

By contributing to the expansion and improvement of the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, I play a role in supporting the infrastructure vital for the well-being of approximately 1.4 million residents in Toronto. That said, my involvement extends beyond infrastructure enhancement; it also champions a more environment friendly approach to treating effluent, allowing for disinfection of wastewater without the need to rely on chemicals. Despite the often unnoticed nature of wastewater treatment, my work plays a crucial role in ensuring a better and more sustainable way of managing a resource that everyone relies on.  

Share a piece of career advice.

Prioritize developing soft skills. While technical expertise is essential, effective communication and interpersonal abilities are equally important. On construction sites, where diverse personalities prevail, mastering social skills becomes paramount, the ability to navigate and manage social interactions helps in resolving issues proactively and fostering a positive work environment. Cultivating a collaborative attitude and learning how to handle difficult personalities contributes significantly to professional success. These skills develop with time and experience, proving invaluable throughout one’s career. 

Another piece of career advice is to establish an effective organization system for documentation and emails.  Being meticulously organized is crucial in the fast-paced environment of engineering, significantly impacting one’s ability to stay on top of tasks and responsibilities. Getting organized at the start of every assignment can greatly enhance efficiency and productivity in the long run.   

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