Davids Atelbauers Experience on the St. Michael WWTP Upgrade
Early in an engineer’s career, there are projects that teach you the fundamentals, and then there are projects that shape how you think about the profession entirely. For Davids Atelbauers, EIT, the St. Michael Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrade has been firmly in the latter category.
Working on a large, multi-phase project has given Davids invaluable exposure to both the design and construction phases of a complex facility. “Being involved across multiple phases helped me better understand how early design decisions carry through construction,” Davids shared. Seeing those decisions come to life reinforced the importance of careful planning, coordination, and long-term thinking in infrastructure work.
Click here to watch the video update!
One of the biggest areas of growth for Davids has been communication. On a project with many moving parts and many stakeholders, proactive communication between the contractor, engineer, and owner is critical. “It’s essential to keep the project moving, meet deadlines, and ensure quality that meets and exceeds standards,” he noted. Learning when to speak up, ask questions, and coordinate early has been just as important as any technical skill.
A standout moment for Davids came when he co-presented project updates with Sambatek Project Manager Sirish to the City of St. Michael City Council. Davids appreciated the opportunity to present before the City Council, stepping outside his comfort zone and gaining firsthand insight into the vital role that clear communication plays between engineers and owners. “It helped me understand the responsibility we have to clearly explain what we’re doing and why it matters,” he said.
Collaboration has been another defining aspect of the project. Working alongside the City of St. Michael, HR Green, and Veolia demonstrated how successful projects depend on teamwork across organizations. “Even though we work for different companies or government entities, we all share the same goal to deliver an upgraded WWTP that supports the City’s continued growth,” Davids explained. With St. Michael’s population increasing rapidly, the importance of that shared mission is clear.
While wastewater infrastructure may go unnoticed by most residents, Davids understands its critical role. Projects like the St. Michael WWTP upgrade protect public health, safeguard the environment, and provide the foundation for future development. “It ensures we live in a clean environment and supports the everyday convenience people often take for granted,” he said.
Looking ahead, this experience has reinforced Davids desire to work on projects that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. It has also motivated him to continue developing not only as a designer but also as a communicator and future project manager. Davids credits much of that growth to mentorship from Sirish, whose long career in wastewater engineering has shown that this work can be meaningful and community-focused.
For Davids, the St. Michael WWTP upgrade isn’t just a line on a resume, it’s a reminder of why he became an engineer in the first place: to help build systems that quietly, reliably, and positively impact communities for generations to come.