Robert B. Sowby, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, ENV SP
Combining research and consulting experience, Dr. Rob Sowby has contributed to over 100 civil engineering projects throughout North America. He is a water resources engineer with particular expertise in hydroinformatics, the water–energy nexus, hydraulic modeling, geospatial analysis, and infrastructure planning. With strong writing and presentation skills, Dr. Sowby has published and lectured nationally on these and other topics. He studied civil and environmental engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brigham Young University, and the University of Utah. Dr. Sowby’s other interests include classical music, mountaineering, business, German literature, and travel (50 states + 27 countries and counting).
Professional Experience
Hansen, Allen & Luce, Inc. (present)
Water Resources Engineer
Salt Lake Community College
Adjunct Faculty, 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
Learn to Launch: A Guide to Starting New Projects
Book, 2017
Data Challenges and Solutions in Energy-for-Water: Experience of Two Recent Studies
Journal – American Water Works Association (in press)
Discussion of “Leakage Control and Energy Recovery Using Variable Speed Pumps as Turbines”
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management (in press)
Conformance of Public Water Use Data to Benford’s Law
Journal – American Water Works Association, December 2018
Correlation of Energy Management Policies with Lower Energy Use in Public Water Systems
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, November 2018
Statistical Model and Benchmarking Procedure for Energy Use by US Public Water Systems
Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment, November 2018
Comparison of Operational Energy Requirements in Publicly and Privately Owned U.S. Water Utilities
Utilities Policy, October 2018
Discussion of “Systems Analysis and Optimization of Local Water Supplies in Los Angeles”
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, July 2018
Jordan Valley Water Redefines Sustainable Water Supply Through Energy Management
Journal AWWA, October 2017
Survey of Energy Requirements for Public Water Supply in the United States
Journal AWWA, July 2017
Accompanying dataset: Energy Intensity Data for Public Water Supply in the United States
Hydraulic Modeling Finds, Fixes Chlorine Residual Gaps
Opflow, June 2017
Energy Management in the Water Sector: A Major Sustainability Opportunity
ECWS-1, November 2016
Mapping Salt Lake City’s Variable Water Use: A Case Study in Resource Management
Directions Magazine, March 2016
The Water Storage Trio: Planning Equalization, Fire Suppression, and Emergency Storage
Water Efficiency, March/April 2016
Drought-Proof Design: Desalination Offers Alternative Water Supply
Water Efficiency, November/December 2015
Logan, Utah: A Case Study in Water and Energy Efficiency
Journal AWWA, August 2015
From the Ground Up: LiDAR Technology Helps Manage Water Resources
Water Efficiency, June 2015
Rethinking Stream Crossings for Humans and Animals: Four Examples from New England
NEWEA Journal, Summer 2015
Water System Optimization: Aligning Energy Efficiency, System Performance, and Water Quality
Journal AWWA, June 2014
The Urban Water Cycle: Sustaining Our Modern Cities
National Geographic Water Currents, March 2014
Selected Presentations
“Improving Water System Sustainability through Energy Management,” AWWA California-Nevada Section, 2018
“Cut to the Chase: Efficient and Effective Writing on the Job,” APWA Utah, 2018
“Energy Performance Metrics for Public Water Systems,” AWWA Intermountain Section and APWA Utah Section, 2018
“High-Resolution Energy Intensity Modeling to Improve Water Distribution System Performance,” World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, 2018
“Energy Management Tools and Practices for Water Utilities,” invited lecture, Utah Division of Drinking Water, 2018
“Energy Requirements for Public Water Services in the United States,” World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, 2017
“Energy and Public Water Supply,” invited lecture, Sustainable Urban Water Engineering class, University of Utah, 2017
“Public Water Supply: How Much Energy Does It Take?” invited lecture, Spatio-Temporal Isotope Analytics Lab, University of Utah, 2017
“Public Water Supply: How Much Energy Does It Take?” invited lecture, Geofluids Seminar, Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES), 2016
“Water Resources Engineering: A 21st Century Challenge,” invited lecture, Salt Lake Community College, 2015
Affiliations
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Water Works Association
National Geographic Society
Utah Geographic Information Council
Registrations
Professional Engineer: Utah, Massachusetts
Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP)