Robert B. Sowby, Ph.D., P.E., ENV SP, M.ASCE
Dedicated to advancing sustainable water supply, Dr. Rob Sowby has contributed to over 200 civil engineering projects throughout North America. He is a water resources engineer with particular expertise in hydroinformatics, the water–energy nexus, hydraulic modeling, and infrastructure planning. Dr. Sowby is a sought-after writer and speaker on these subjects. He studied civil engineering at Brigham Young University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Utah. His other interests include classical music, mountaineering, business, German literature, and travel (50 states + 27 countries and counting). He is the 2020 recipient of ASCE’s Daniel W. Mead Prize for Younger Members.
Professional Experience
Brigham Young University (present)
Assistant Professor, Civil and Construction Engineering
Hansen, Allen & Luce, Inc. (present)
Water Resources Engineer
Selected projects: Utah’s Regional M&I Water Conservation Goals, Utah’s Water Use Data Collection Program, Sandy City Fluoride Overfeed Investigation
University of Utah
Associate Instructor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Salt Lake Community College
Adjunct Instructor, Natural Sciences
Brigham Young University
Research Assistant, Hydrology
Applied Geotechnical Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Laboratory Technician
Education
University of Utah
Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Urban Water Group
Dissertation: New Techniques to Analyze Energy Use and Inform Sustainable Planning, Design, and Operation of Public Water Systems
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.Eng., Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis: Hydrologic and Hydraulic Assessment of Artificial Recharge in the Sparta Aquifer of Union County, Arkansas
Harvard University
Graduate studies, environmental and ecological sciences
Brigham Young University
B.S., Civil Engineering
B.A., German Studies (secondary major)
Minor, Mathematics
Selected Publications
Increasing Water and Wastewater Utility Participation in Demand Response Programs
Energy Nexus, 2021
Discussion of “Effect of Pipe Size and Location on Water-Main Head Loss in Water Distribution Systems”
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 2021
When the Power Goes Out, Who Still Has Water?
Journal AWWA, 2021
Energy Profiles of Nine Water Treatment Plants in the Salt Lake City Area and Implications for Planning, Design, and Operation
Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2021
Reconnecting Water Resources Research and Practice
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 2021
Accepting Peer Reviews as Continuing Education for Professional Engineers
Journal of Infrastructure Systems, 2021
Discussion of “Improving Energy Efficiency of Small Water-Resource Recovery Facilities: Opportunities and Barriers”
Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2021
To Uphold and Enhance the Profession
ASCE Daniel W. Mead Prize, 2020
Leading-Digit Patterns from Smart Water Meters
Hansen, Allen & Luce, 2020
Emergency Preparedness after COVID-19: A Review of Policy Statements in the U.S. Water Sector
Utilities Policy, 2020
High-Resolution Energy Intensity Modeling to Improve Water Distribution System Performance
Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment, 2020
Water is a Finite Resource, with Hidden Energy Savings Floating Just Below the Surface
ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry, 2019
Energy Management Program Leads to Operational Improvements
Opflow, 2019
Discussion of “Leakage Control and Energy Recovery Using Variable Speed Pumps as Turbines”
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 2019
Data Challenges and Solutions in Energy-for-Water: Experience of Two Recent Studies
Journal AWWA, 2019
Conformance of Public Water Use Data to Benford’s Law
Journal AWWA, 2018
Correlation of Energy Management Policies with Lower Energy Use in Public Water Systems
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 2018
Statistical Model and Benchmarking Procedure for Energy Use by US Public Water Systems
Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment, 2018
Comparison of Operational Energy Requirements in Publicly and Privately Owned U.S. Water Utilities
Utilities Policy, 2018
Four Energy Metrics for Public Water Systems
APWA Utah Fall Conference, 2018
Discussion of “Systems Analysis and Optimization of Local Water Supplies in Los Angeles”
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 2018
Learn to Launch: A Guide to Starting New Projects
Book, 2017
Jordan Valley Water Redefines Sustainable Water Supply Through Energy Management
Journal AWWA, 2017
Survey of Energy Requirements for Public Water Supply in the United States
Journal AWWA, 2017
Accompanying dataset: Energy Intensity Data for Public Water Supply in the United States
Hydraulic Modeling Finds, Fixes Chlorine Residual Gaps
Opflow, 2017
Energy Management in the Water Sector: A Major Sustainability Opportunity
ECWS-1, 2016
Drought-Proof Design: Desalination Offers Alternative Water Supply
Water Efficiency, 2015
Logan, Utah: A Case Study in Water and Energy Efficiency
Journal AWWA, 2015
Rethinking Stream Crossings for Humans and Animals: Four Examples from New England
NEWEA Journal, 2015
Water System Optimization: Aligning Energy Efficiency, System Performance, and Water Quality
Journal AWWA, 2014
The Urban Water Cycle: Sustaining Our Modern Cities
National Geographic Water Currents, 2014
Selected Presentations
United Nations 68th Civil Society Conference, 2019
APWA Utah Annual Conference, 2017–2020
ASCE World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, 2017–2019
AWRA Water Resources Conference, 2019
AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition, 2018–2019
AWWA Intermountain Section Annual Conference, 2015–2020
AWWA Sustainable Water Conference, 2019
Utah Water Users Association, 2018
Invited presentations and lectures:
- ASCE Wasatch Front Branch
- Brigham Young University
- Idaho National Laboratory
- MIT Water Club
- MIT Club of Utah
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Salt Lake Community College
- University of Utah
- Utah Division of Drinking Water
- Utah Division of Water Resources
- Utah State University
Awards
American Society of Civil Engineers, Daniel W. Mead Prize for Younger Members, 2020
American Water Resources Association, A. Ivan Johnson Award for Young Professionals, 2019
American Water Works Association, Intermountain Section, Young Professional Award, 2019
American Water Resources Association, Utah Section, J. Paul Riley Student Paper Competition doctoral winner, 2018
American Water Works Association Intermountain Section, Fresh Ideas Poster Contest winner, 2018
Intermountain Sustainability Summit, Poster Contest graduate winner, 2018
Utah Water Users Association, Scholarship, 2012
Utah Engineers Council, Scholarship, 2011
Affiliations
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Water Works Association (Energy Management Committee; Intermountain Section Scholarship Committee)
National Geographic Society
Utah Geographic Information Council
Registrations
Professional Engineer: Utah, Massachusetts
Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP)