Drainage engineers keep the country moving. Without them, homes would flood, roads would close and entire drainage systems would collapse under the pressure. These engineers are the people responsible for inspecting, maintaining and designing systems that move water and sewage safely and efficiently day after day.

As one of the largest employers of drainage engineers in the UK, we know how broad and varied the role can be. From hands-on repairs to advanced system design, it takes a wide mix of skills to keep drainage networks running smoothly. This guide breaks down the core responsibilities, the specialist areas you can move into and the training routes that support long-term career progression.

What is a drainage engineer?

A drainage engineer is a trained civil engineering professional who specialises in drainage systems. They are responsible for designing systems that move water or sewage from one place to another, inspecting faults, clearing blockages and maintaining existing drainage systems to meet safety and environmental regulations.

You’ll often find drainage engineers involved in construction projects, infrastructure development or providing emergency services to homes and businesses. Some specialise in surveying and mapping water flow patterns, while others focus on the installation of these systems using tools like cured-in-place pipe liners or high-pressure jetting.

Drainage engineer job description

The drainage engineer job description can vary a lot depending on your specialism, the type of site you're working on and the scale of the job. Across the board, drainage engineers are often responsible for:

• Making sure water and waste move safely, efficiently and in line with environmental standards.
• Inspecting and maintaining drainage systems, both underground and above ground.
• Clearing blockages using jet vac units or water jetting.
• Designing drainage systems to suit project requirements, using computer-aided design (CAD) and advanced computer modelling tools.
• Carrying out CCTV surveys and diagnosing problems using specialist equipment.
• Working on new builds and infrastructure - advising on drainage schemes and working with construction managers and structural engineers.
• Ensuring compliance with environmental protection laws and health and safety protocols.
• Providing advice and schemes for local authorities, developers or commercial clients.

You’ll often find drainage engineers out on site, meeting with project teams, and switching between independent tasks and collaborative work. It’s a role that keeps you moving - and no two days look the same.

How to become a drainage engineer

There are several ways to become a drainage engineer, and your path will depend on your experience, education and career history. Whether you’re leaving school or switching from another trade, the sector welcomes new starters with the right attitude, and the field is wide open to anyone with the right mindset. School leavers, career changers, and tradespeople with hands-on experience all have opportunities to get started and build a long-term future.

Entry routes:

• Join through a college or training provider: qualifications such as a foundation degree or HNC in civil engineering give you strong technical knowledge.
• Apply for an apprenticeship: for example, an advanced civil engineering apprenticeship focusing on drainage design and infrastructure.
• Start as a trainee engineer: get hands-on experience and build your skills on the job.
• Use transferable skills: from plumbing, construction, logistics or even customer service.

What qualifications do drainage engineers need?

To get started - and to progress - a drainage engineer requires a mix of practical skills and technical training. These qualifications not only help you land your first role, but also put you in a stronger position to take on more responsibility, work on larger projects and grow your career. Useful training and certifications include:

• A CSCS card for working safely on construction sites.
• NRSWA certification from the New Roads and Street Works Act, allowing you to work on public roads.
• Confined space training is mandatory for engineers working underground or in tanks.
• A high-pressure water jetting certificate is a core qualification for many drainage roles.
• A City & Guilds Drainage Engineer Course covering drainage theory, environmental impact, safety standards and equipment use.
• Knowledge of computer modelling software and CAD tools, particularly in drainage design roles.

Lanes also provides on-the-job training and development through industry-recognised training routes, helping newly-trained drainage engineers build their knowledge and confidence quickly.

What do drainage engineers do day to day?

At Lanes, drainage engineers work across a wide variety of locations and projects. A typical week could include:

Preventing problems before they escalate

Engineers regularly inspect existing drainage systems using CCTV, sonar or flow monitoring. By identifying weaknesses early, they can prevent breakdowns and save time and money.

Unblocking pipes and clearing sewage

Using powerful jet vac equipment, jetting engineers move water or sewage safely, especially during emergencies. Whether it's a domestic blockage or a city-wide fatberg, it’s all part of the job.

Designing new systems

Some engineers are responsible for designing systems for new housing, commercial sites, or highways - factoring in water flow, rainfall, ground conditions and environmental guidelines.

Site visits and reporting

Jobs often involve visiting sites, updating clients, attending planning meetings and reviewing project requirements.

Customer care

While it might not be the first thing that springs to mind when thinking about the role of a drainage engineer, good customer service skills are vital.  Experiencing drainage and flooding issues can be hugely stressful and worrying for customers. Drainage engineers are relied upon to keep them updated on the status of the problem and informed about the progress of any maintenance work being carried out.

Supporting environmental protection

By maintaining sustainable drainage systems and helping prevent pollution, drainage engineers make an important contribution to wider environmental protection goals.

Career path and progression

Drainage engineering offers far more than a job - it’s a career with real direction and variety. Starting out as a trainee engineer, you’ll build skills that can take you into specialist roles, leadership positions or technical areas you might not have considered yet. With the right training and experience, you could go on to specialise in:

• CCTV surveying
• Drainage design using computer modelling
• Jet vac operation and water jetting
• Project management and planning
• Training and mentoring
• Technical compliance and environmental safety

Demand for skilled drainage engineers is growing across the UK, driven by the need for stronger infrastructure and sustainable drainage. If you think clearly under pressure, work efficiently on site and understand how drainage fits into the wider world of civil engineering, then this role is for you.

How much could you earn as a drainage engineer?

Like many careers in the construction industry, earnings vary depending on your role and location. Starting salaries for newly trained drainage engineers are competitive, with plenty of opportunity to increase your pay as you gain experience.

With Lanes, you also benefit from structured development, plenty of perks, job security, and access to professional development opportunities that support your long-term success.

Apply for drainage engineer jobs at Lanes

If you’re ready to start a hands-on career with technical depth and national relevance, this could be your path. Lanes Group provides comprehensive training, including a City & Guilds-accredited Drainage Engineer Course. This course covers drainage theory, legislation and professional safety standards, delivered by our drainage industry experts.

• On-the-job support: for drainage assistant roles, additional on-the-job support is provided, usually involving working alongside a more senior staff member as part of a two-person team.
• Long-term career development: the company offers long-term training pathways, enabling you to build your skills and advance professionally with the support of experienced engineering mentors.

If you are interested in learning more, read about drainage engineers Brian Macallister and James Lewis’s experiences working for Lanes.

We are always looking for enthusiastic people to join our team, so if you think you have the necessary skills, we would love to hear from you. Read about what it is like to work with us, and check out our drainage engineer job vacancies today.