H2Opportunity - Career Paths for Water Protection from GED to PhD

Chemists study the properties of matter and understand the behavior and interactions of molecules, electrons, and ions. A water chemist has a complicated subject of study, because water can dissolve almost every other substance on earth. Water also behaves differently in different conditions. Water's chemistry can cause pipes to corrode or to become so full of scale that they clog shut. Water agencies employ chemists to:

• study the characteristics of the raw and treated water of that particular agency;

• determine how likely the water is to dissolve dangerous metals and chemicals from the soil and pipes, and recommend ways to treat the water

to reduce this risk;

• determine how the soil, roads, and developments near a water supply affect the water chemistry;

• correct or adjust any problems related to water chemistry.

Education: Four-year or graduate degree in chemistry

Certificates, licenses: No

Desirable traits and skills: Excellent science and laboratory skills; attention to detail; strong critical thinking skills.

For more information:

American Chemical Society
1155 16th St. NW.
Washington, DC 20036
http://www.chemistry.org

Association of Consulting Chemists and Chemical Engineers
P.O. Box 297
Sparta, New Jersey 07871
http://www.chemconsult.org

CHEMIST