Our People
Meet Bill Desing
Milwaukee, WI, U.S.
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With more than three decades of experience in wastewater engineering, Bill Desing is a recognized leader in odor control, air quality and sustainable infrastructure. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bill serves as Jacobs’ global principal for air quality and odor control, guiding a team of technologists across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. His work helps communities around the world breathe easier — literally.
Bill’s passion for environmental engineering began at Marquette University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil and environmental engineering and was an intern at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD)’s Jones Island Water Reclamation Plant. That academic foundation, combined with a deep curiosity for how infrastructure intersects with public health and environmental justice, has shaped a career defined by innovation and impact.
He has led or reviewed more than 80 odor and air quality projects across the U.S. and internationally, helping utilities reduce emissions, improve community relations and meet evolving regulatory standards. Over his career, Bill has served in a variety of roles, from project and construction manager to client service manager, process designer and plant startup manager.
“Odor control is about more than comfort — it’s about public health, environmental justice and operational excellence. We’re helping utilities turn invisible problems into measurable, manageable solutions. Whether it’s a tunnel in London or a treatment plant in Wisconsin, the principles are the same: understand the science, engage the community and design for resilience.”
Driving innovation in the U.S. Midwest
Bill’s impact is especially visible in the Midwest of the U.S., where he has shaped some of the region’s most ambitious water infrastructure projects. In Green Bay, Wisconsin, he served as a senior reviewer for the NEW Water Resource Recovery and Electrical Energy generation system (R2E2) project — a $169 million biosolids facility that integrates digestion, energy recovery and nutrient reuse. His modeling expertise helped optimize hydrogen sulfide control and deliver safe, efficient operations.
In Milwaukee, Bill was the project manager for MMSD’s Energy Plan and Greenhouse Gas Inventory, laying the groundwork for MMSD’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2035. His work helped quantify emissions, identify energy-saving opportunities and align infrastructure planning with climate goals.
Bill has been a trusted advisor to MMSD throughout his career, supporting startup and construction of more than $100 million in upgrades to the Jones Island Water Reclamation Plant, as part of the $2.2 billion Water Pollution Abatement Program. More recently, he served as project manager for MMSD’s collection system odor study. Across Wisconsin, he has supported wastewater facility improvements for Waukesha, Appleton, Oshkosh and Grand Chute, helping utilities meet more stringent effluent quality standards.
Beyond Wisconsin, Bill has contributed to major combined sewer overflow (CSO) infrastructure upgrades across the Midwest. In Fort Wayne, Indiana, he led the planning and odor control design for a 350 million-gallons-per-day (mgd) CSO treatment and conveyance system, including a large pump station and storage ponds. In Cleveland, Ohio, he served as lead process engineer for a 900 mgd CSO facility, where he managed the design of improvements to the wet weather treatment facility.
Solving complex challenges around the world
Bill’s expertise extends far beyond the states. As senior reviewer for odor control on London’s $6 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel — the U.K.’s largest-ever water infrastructure project — Bill helped develop dynamic and steady-state models to estimate emissions and design mitigation systems. His work helped protect air quality for millions of Londoners and set a new standard for tunnel ventilation and odor management.
In San Mateo, California, Bill contributed to a transformative wastewater program focused on advanced odor control and air quality strategies that improve public health and support climate resilience — making the city a model for sustainable infrastructure worldwide.
A trusted voice in the water market
Bill is a frequent contributor to industry publications and conferences, including the Water Environment Federation’s Odor Control Manual of Practice. He has also served on national advisory panels, including the U.S. National Academies of Sciences on water security and authored guidance for the American Water Works Association on disinfection and risk management.
With a career defined by technical excellence, mentorship and public service, Bill continues to lead Jacobs’ efforts to create cleaner, safer and more sustainable water systems — one project at a time.
Get to know Bill
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80 +
odor control and air quality projects worked on globally
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35 +
years of experience in wastewater planning, design and operations
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15 +
published papers on air quality issues for wastewater treatment plants contributed to
