Abstract:

Since 1994, the Department of Civil Engineering at Unitec has produced industry-ready graduates through diploma and bachelor’s programmes. The Water Stream within the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil) degree provides applied and future-focused competencies aligned with New Zealand standards, Codes of Practice, and contemporary industry expectations.

Engineers play a critical role in ensuring the performance, resilience, and sustainability of Aotearoa New Zealand’s three waters—stormwater, drinking water, and wastewater. Their responsibilities include hydraulic design, optimisation of treatment processes, low‑impact design (LID) implementation, and integration of smart monitoring technologies. As regulatory reforms and climate-driven challenges intensify, engineering education must evolve to include advanced technical content, modelling capabilities, and innovative learning tools.

This paper presents Unitec’s ongoing work to align water‑engineering education with industry practice by incorporating analytical design, modelling, NZ Codes of Practice, and field‑based learning. It also clarifies a fundamental question: What does a water engineer really do?

Technical contents of the Water and Wastewater Systems (WWS) course were reviewed. Assessments and classroom activities were analysed to showcase how real-world engineering tasks—such as water supply network analysis, stormwater pipe sizing, pump selection, and wet‑well hydraulic design—are integrated into professional teaching. EPANET modelling demonstration was given as part of a practical water supply activity.

The study confirms that Unitec graduates develop strong technical and professional competencies: performing hydraulic calculations, modelling network behaviour, applying regulatory frameworks, designing practical solutions, and communicating engineering findings effectively. These skills ensure graduates are work-ready for the water engineering sector.

Keywords:

Water supply network, stormwater & wastewater hydraulics, pump optimization, pump wet-well design.