They can be used for predictive purposes or to better understand the problem itself. Environmental engineers use a variety of specialized instruments and chemical methods to accurately analyze and quantify waste streams. These include such things as a gas chromatograph, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, conductivity meters, pH meters, and dissolved oxygen meters. In design, they calculate the size, shape, dimensions and layout of the appropriate basins, the size and type of pumps and pipes, the type of chemical feed systems and dosing rates and a variety of other system requirements. This saves time and money in the long run because the engineer can determine what the problems and issues are at a small scale and compensate for them in the design and building of the full-scale system.
Engineers are responsible for activities which affect the survival of our society.