Insights for what's next

Explore practical perspectives that turn complex challenges and emerging trends into real-world outcomes.

125 items
Aerial view of the chemical plant's wastewater treatment facility
Big Questions

How can integrating engineering into operations improve water and wastewater treatment?

In a constantly evolving world, municipalities and water facilities are under increasing pressure to improve performance, extend asset life and deliver reliable service to residents and customers. Engineering Manager Liie Hill is helping them do just that. Her role was designed specifically to strengthen the connection between daily operations and the engineering expertise that keeps complex water treatment systems performing at their best. Bridging operations and engineering for better performance Liie describes her work as being both “the glue and the grease” — keeping things connected while helping processes move smoothly. She supports operations and maintenance (O&M) projects across the U.S., working with operators and clients to be sure they have access to the technical resources they need, whether it be troubleshooting process inefficiencies, planning a capital upgrade or responding to unexpected conditions. Integrating engineering expertise into daily operations provides a major advantage: operators can quickly pinpoint root causes and address issues proactively. Liie plays a central role in this process by scoping engineering needs, overseeing technical reviews and being sure solutions are implemented effectively. This approach gives clients confidence that their facilities are operating safely and meeting regulatory requirements. Delivering cost-effective, reliable solutions This model isn’t just effective; it’s cost-conscious. Liie leads innovation workshops with clients to improve efficiency and uncover long-term savings through data-driven process improvements. In Wilmington, Delaware, she tailored a workshop to the city’s challenges: aging infrastructure and new regulations. As a result, Jacobs developed a programmatic approach to the city’s capital improvement plan, improving process

Liie Hill
water treatment facility
Big Questions

How is water reuse shaping the future of resilient communities?

As water scarcity intensifies and climate impacts place increasing pressure on traditional supplies, communities around the world are rethinking how water is sourced, treated and reused. In response, more utilities are embracing water reuse practices and the principle that all water has value. Advances in treatment technologies now allow wastewater to be cost-effectively reclaimed and repurposed as a high-quality, resilient water supply — increasingly for drinking water purposes. These solutions help communities strengthen water security while adapting to regulatory, environmental and infrastructure constraints. Navigating direct potable reuse regulations As more states adopt or advance direct potable reuse (DPR) regulations, Global Water Reuse Principal and Vice President Melanie Holmer works closely with utilities to translate regulatory frameworks into practical, implementable solutions. With California’s DPR regulations now in effect, she supports clients in planning treatment technologies, monitoring strategies, operational requirements and governance approaches that align with regulatory expectations while strengthening long-term water resilience. Her work helps communities move from uncertainty to action, enabling them to confidently integrate potable reuse into their water supply portfolios. Water reuse in action Melanie is supporting high-profile potable reuse initiatives including the Donald C. Tillman Advanced Water Purification Facility in Los Angeles. The project will produce up to 45 million gallons per day of purified water to recharge local groundwater basins, supplying water for up to 500,000 residents. Through her involvement, Melanie helps align advanced treatment, regulatory requirements and stakeholder engagement — supporting a collaborative model that brings together multiple agencies to increase regional water resiliency. A full-circle return to Jacobs Melanie’s leadership in water reuse reflects a full-circle

Melanie Holmer
Aerial View of Two Environmental engineers work at wastewater treatment plants
Big Questions

How can utilities build maintenance teams that deliver long-term value?

John Loucks-Powell brings an experienced hand to Operations Management and Facilities Services (OMFS) with a focus on the challenges our clients face every day: aging infrastructure, rising operational demands and the pressure to keep essential water and wastewater systems running without interruption. With 45 years in utility operations and maintenance, John brings the knowledge to help clients strengthen the reliability and performance of their critical water and wastewater infrastructure — the backbone of the communities they serve. A foundation in skilled trades John’s career began in the skilled trades, spending 20 years developing expertise in industrial maintenance, machinery installation and precision mechanical work. His experience shaped his commitment to safety, craftsmanship and operational integrity, which continues to influence how he strengthens essential infrastructure. Leading one of the nation’s most complex wastewater systems Before joining Jacobs, John spent more than a decade at one of California’s largest municipal utility agencies, managing a highly complex combined sewer system and leading a team of 135 across technical and operational disciplines. He oversaw the health and safety program, the maintenance budget and played a key role in major capital work — including a sewer system improvement program and biosolids digester facilities project — helping the team work more safely and manage resources more effectively. He also drove the early adoption of mobile and reliability-centered maintenance technologies to help operators identify issues earlier, respond faster and make more informed decisions about where to invest time and resources. Delivering excellence at Jacobs John joined Jacobs in

John Loucks-Powell
Water treatment facility with multiple tanks and filtration systems
Big Questions

How can municipalities address emerging contaminant concerns in biosolids?

With over three decades in environmental services and a singular focus on biosolids management, Drew has become a trusted leader in one of the most challenging areas of the wastewater industry. As a biosolids specialist for Jacobs’ wastewater operations portfolio, he combines technical know-how, strategic insight and practical solutions to guide an industry that continues to evolve and struggles with increasing disposal costs and emerging contaminant concerns. A career built on residuals and results Drew’s decades-long journey in the biosolids field includes leadership roles at some of the nation’s largest residual management firms specializing in biosolids and industrial sludge. This history and knowledge connect him to a unique group of people who have a specialized skill set for solving biosolids challenges. With this diverse experience — from dewatering and disposal to beneficial reuse and Class A marketing — Drew has established himself in every facet of the biosolids lifecycle. His philosophy is straightforward: apply best practices while driving efficiency. Whether it’s optimizing field surveys for pre-operational planning or developing creative reuse strategies for dredge materials, Drew’s approach is always rooted in measurable, real-world results. Business acumen meets environmental expertise With a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Delaware, Drew translates complex processes into strategic opportunities. His background enables him to clearly communicate the value of biosolids programs to various stakeholders — from municipal clients to consulting engineers. Combining practical field knowledge with strong analytical skills, he has earned a reputation as a trusted voice in residuals management operations

Drew Mearns
wastewater treatment plant
Big Questions

How can water and wastewater utilities achieve long-term sustainability?

Sustainability is no longer optional — it’s essential. Jacobs’ Lead Sustainability Specialist Dawn Lesley has dedicated over three decades to shaping how communities, industries and municipalities manage their most vital resource: water. Dawn’s experience combines technical expertise, visionary leadership and a values-driven approach to deliver measurable environmental and economic benefits across North America. A career rooted in sustainability Dawn earned a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Chicago and a master’s in bioresource engineering from Oregon State University, along with credentials as a professional environmental engineer. From the start, her focus has been clear: reduce waste, optimize processes and create ecologically responsible systems that minimize ratepayer costs. Pioneering energy initiatives Prior to joining Jacobs, Dawn initiated sustainability programs that pushed the boundaries of traditional engineering. She developed waste-to-energy initiatives, planned long-range infrastructure investments and identified opportunities for energy efficiency, renewable energy development and effluent reuse. The programs helped wastewater plants across the country achieve an average of 7% in annual energy savings, with one plant reaching 23%. Her influence spans more than 100 water and wastewater facilities, where she’s driven reductions in energy waste, improved effluent quality and fostered long-term operational resilience. Leading change at Jacobs As lead sustainability specialist for Jacobs’ Operations Management and Facilities Services practice, Dawn is driving innovation across water, wastewater, industrial and municipal facilities in North America. She trains operators, identifies efficiency opportunities, implements new technologies and fosters culture change to be sure sustainability is not just a technical upgrade, but a long-lasting mindset

Dawn Lesley
Q&A

Driving Innovative, Trusted Water Solutions: Meet Stephanie Harrison

From engineering to sales and now a design-build practice leader, Stephanie Harrison is well-versed in the varied facets of project delivery and understanding client needs. Stephanie started her career in Jacobs’ water group in Phoenix, Arizona working on planning, environmental and conveyance projects. Her passion for hands-on design and construction led her back to her home state of Colorado, where she played a key role in large-scale conveyance and design-build initiatives — deepening her technical foundation while building strong client relationships. As her career evolved, Stephanie stepped into a geographic sales manager role, where she championed Jacobs’ full spectrum of services — from digital solutions to transportation and environmental projects. Now, with over 27 years of experience, she’s leading the charge as a practice lead for owner advisor services and design for design-build in the water design-build group, combining her engineering know-how with a deep understanding of client priorities to drive innovative, trusted solutions across the water sector. Tell us about your new role at Jacobs. What excites you most? We’re seeing a clear shift in the water sector — more and more clients are looking for support in owner advisory and design services tailored for design-build delivery. I’m working with clients to navigate complex delivery models with confidence, clarity and the right expertise at the right time. We’re taking lessons learned from transportation and other parts of our business where we regularly deliver design for design-build services and bring that knowledge and experience to our water clients. With design

Stephanie Harrison
Q&A

Streamlining and Collaborating for Smart, Sustainable Solutions: Meet Lynette Baker

Lynette Baker is a dynamic leader who seamlessly blends environmental experience with strategic business acumen. With over 30 years in the environmental industry — including 25 at Jacobs — Lynette has earned a reputation as a trusted leader, shaping policy and infrastructure, steering operations and driving strategic initiatives, all while championing our most valuable asset: our people. She prides herself on being known as a dedicated and inspiring leader who can bring the right teams together using limited resources and creating extraordinary results. Her influence extends far beyond technical excellence. Recognized seven times in the past eight years by Engineering Georgia as one of the “100 Influential Women to Know,” Lynette’s career reflects a rare combination of technical depth, visionary leadership and a passion for people. From the field to the frontlines Lynette’s journey began in the wilds of the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska in 1995, shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Colgate University. Starting as a fisheries biologist, she quickly transitioned into wetland science — a move that launched a career spanning continents and disciplines. Since joining Jacobs in 1999, Lynette has built a robust technical foundation — conducting wetland delineations, endangered species surveys and cultural resource investigations across the U.S. and Europe. Her career evolved from environmental compliance into operational leadership, where she managed performance units and oversaw profit and loss as the transportation infrastructure operations leader in Georgia. She later moved into strategic sales, securing millions of dollars in contracts

Lynette Baker
Natural capital
Report

Toward a nature positive future for the water sector

This paper explores how a natural capital approach that − framing nature as a core business asset − helps water utilities make informed decisions, manage environmental risks and enhance sustainability. It shares lessons from the U.K.’s policy and practice landscape and offers specific recommendations for water utilities in ANZ.

Filling glass with fresh water from tap
Thought Leadership

US PFAS regulation update: Planning for drinking water compliance

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) May 2025 announcement kicked off a new PFAS rulemaking process, but the original regulations are still in force. Reflecting on a recent Jacobs webinar, learn how water systems can plan for compliance now, what the revised rules may bring and why proactive utilities are pressing ahead.

Q&A with Dustin Atchison
Q&A

A view on the future of water resources: A Q&A with Dustin Atchison

As climate change, urbanization and water scarcity intensify, managing water has never been more critical or complex. Jacobs Global Solutions Director for Water Resources Dustin Atchison shares how his team is helping clients build resilient, people-centered systems that blend technology, sustainability and long-term planning.

Cybersecurity & OT
Thought Leadership

Securing the future of water: Lessons from cyber risk and resilience assessments

Cyber threats are rising and outdated operational technology systems are leaving water utilities exposed. Drawing on lessons from more than 35 cybersecurity-focused Risk and Resilience Assessments conducted under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act, Jacobs identifies common vulnerabilities and offers a roadmap to stronger, more resilient water infrastructure.

in the know banner
Webinar

The PFAS challenge: How water systems can stay ahead

It’s a year since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized national drinking water standards for PFAS – but the regulatory landscape continues to evolve. The new administration is expected to revisit the rule, while interest also turns to wastewater and biosolids. At the same time, new technologies are changing how we identify and treat PFAS. How should water systems respond to this fast-moving challenge? In this webinar we unpack the current PFAS landscape, including regulations, risk-based treatment approaches and considerations for biosolids management. We’ll also hear American Water’s approach to PFAS from their experience serving communities in 14 U.S. states. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the PFAS challenge. Moderators: Russell Ford, Global Solutions Director, Drinking Water & Reuse – Jacobs Speakers: Katie Walker, Global Principal for PFAS – Jacobs Todd Williams, Global Principal for Residuals Resource Recovery – Jacobs Roger Scharf, Senior Project Manager – Jacobs Nicole Wiley, Engineering Practice Lead – American Water Download the presentation slide deck (PDF, 4.59 MB)

  • Future Foundations

    Co-creating the world to come

    From developing climate resilience and transitioning to a low-carbon future, to modernizing and transforming infrastructure, governments and businesses face critical challenges. How they respond will define our future.

    As our clients navigate these challenges, we help them think differently – working together to pioneer tomorrow's infrastructure solutions and build the foundations for a prosperous, secure future. 

    Visit Future Foundations
    Future-Foundations