The environmental engineer helping to remove dangerous toxins from our drinking water

Dr. Parul Baranwal 

Parul, an environmental engineer is on a mission to develop natural, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly degrading agents to remove dangerous toxins from drinking water. This work is highly relevant for developing efficient biodegradation strategies in drinking water treatment plants.  With her expertise in biological treatment of drinking water, she is well-equipped to play a significant role in this transition and its early adoption.

“Inadequate management of urban, industrial and agricultural wastewater means the drinking-water of hundreds of millions of people is dangerously contaminated or chemically polluted.” WHO

Currently, a water quality manager for the county in North Carolina, Parul is addressing significant water quality issues, particularly identifying and implementing lead and copper replacement rules for underprivileged and underrepresented communities. She is dedicated to protecting people from the effects of adverse environmental effects, such as pollution, and making our community water treatment plants more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Parul’s aim is to continue developing new ways to improve the targeting of disadvantaged neighbourhoods and to improve the quality of the environment. She remains committed to developing new ways of conserving, storing, and transporting the valuable resource that is water.

And as if the day job isn’t enough, Parul has successfully established a network of young professionals and students in the water industry, encompassing research, engineering, policy, and related fields. Additionally, she provided valuable guidance to numerous undergraduate students who were interested in applying to graduate school in foreign countries.

At the local level, Parul delivers engaging presentations and activities to educate high school students about water engineering at several K-12 schools in Toledo, as well as various community-based events. She makes learning about water quality lab techniques a fun and exciting experience to inspire interest in water engineering among high school students.

Prior to her move to the USA, Parul served as a role model for millions of girls in India who aspire to pursue STEM education, having taught engineering education to underprivileged girls during her gap period before starting her federal government job in India. In this role, she taught environmental engineering courses and motivated several girls to excel in their coursework and consider engineering as a career path.

Dr Parul will be joining us live from North Carolina on 17/05/2024 to share her passion that has global benefits.