Environmental Engineers work at the interface between human systems and the broader natural world. We have dual responsibilities to design systems that improve the well-being of humans and the health and resilience of the natural systems on which we depend.
Environmental engineers play a vital role in designing and managing traditional systems that address long-standing issues like sanitation, flooding, air pollution, and waste management, while also developing innovative solutions for emerging challenges such as microplastic pollution, ecosystem restoration, carbon reduction, and circular economies. To stay ahead of future problems, they must improve monitoring and modeling of both natural and engineered systems, enabling proactive responses before crises arise. As climate patterns shift and ecosystems evolve, engineers must rethink conventional approaches and help society rebalance its relationship with the natural world to prepare for a future that looks very different from the past.
News
CEE Researcher Receives Prestigious Water Industry Award
A Waterloo Engineering researcher has been recognized with one of the water industry's highest honours for her contributions to municipal water research and the advancement of the water profession.
Dr. Monica Emelko, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has received the Norman J. Howard Award from the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA), one of the association's highest honours. The award recognizes proficiency and leadership in key areas of municipal water supply and celebrates those who have made significant contributions to ensuring safe, reliable and sustainable water systems.
CEE professor awarded Distinguished Teacher Award
A professor in the Faculty of Engineering has been recognized for more than a decade of hands-on, inclusive teaching that has reshaped how students in civil and environmental engineering experience foundational concepts.
Dr. Rania Al-Hammoud, Professor, Teaching Stream, and Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies, in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has received the 2026 Distinguished Teacher Award — the University of Waterloo’s highest honour for teaching excellence, awarded to those with a sustained record of excellence spanning at least five years.
University of Waterloo ITE Chapter Secures Three-Peat as Outstanding Student Chapter
The University of Waterloo’s ITE student chapter has won the 2026 Outstanding Student Chapter Award, marking its third straight win after a strong post-pandemic comeback.
Led largely by undergraduates and with a more diverse membership, the chapter has grown through community-building, creative events, and strong industry connections. It’s now recognized as a leading student organization in transportation.