Engineering is a branch of science and technology concerned with creation and design. It can be literal, meaning to design and create machines and mechanisms, or figurative, as with environmental engineering. You’ve probably heard of environmental engineering as these professionals work in various capacities in local, national, and international arenas. But what are environmental engineers and why is their work important? Read on to find out.

What Is Environmental Engineering?

Environmental engineering is a branch of engineering concerned with the environment. Engineers assess and manage the effects of humans and human activity on the environment. The goal is to use scientific principles to analyze, address problems, and reduce the adverse impact of humankind on the natural world. Some of the main topics environmental engineers address include pollution, waste disposal, environmental health, public health, and recycling.

How Does It Benefit Society?

Environmental health and wellbeing, or lack thereof, affects everyone. Life on earth is made off of a complex ecological web with each living thing depending on others to exist. Environmental engineers work to preserve the planet and, subsequently, improve life on earth. This includes preventing and controlling water, air, and soil contamination from processes such as agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation, which can have long-lasting and widespread effects if not addressed. Engineers not only work to prevent issues from happening but also to detect the source of existing problems and control them. Sometimes, this can be extremely challenging, such as when a lake or ocean is contaminated by field runoff from hundreds of miles away, or when an issue has been neglected for an extended period. 

Environmental engineers help everyone, including homeowners and businesses. If you need a consulting firm in Johnson County, turn to the experts at Hart-Frederick Consultants PC. Based in Tiffin, IA, these respected professionals have served the community for over 20 years, providing a range of services from surveying and land development to site planning. Call (319) 545-7215 to speak with a friendly team member or visit the website to learn more about what they have to offer.