Step 3: Temporal Dynamics Pass (Facts)

Section Content:

Facts:
Engineer B, a resident of City M and a consulting engineer with ABC Engineers, was retained to evaluate changing the Metropolitan Water Commission’s (MWC) public water source serving City M from remote reservoirs located in another regional authority to using the local river.
The purpose of the contemplated change in water source would be to reduce expenses.
City M is a major client of ABC Engineers, through the MWC on water supply projects, and on other public works projects through other commissions and departments.
Engineer B’s report recommended to the MWC the need for appropriate water treatment prior to making the change in water source to ensure that sufficient corrosion control is provided so that old service pipes in the MWC service area don’t leach lead in excess of drinking water standards.
The report clearly outlined the risk of even short-term exposure of adults, and particularly children, to elevated lead levels if appropriate treatment was not provided concurrent with the change in water source.
The MWC met and decided to proceed with the change in water source but to construct water treatment improvements at a later date.
Engineer B pointed out at a public meeting with the Water Commissioners that public health and safety would be at risk.
Following the meeting, Engineer B provided the Water Commissioners with a letter detailing the risk to public health and safety.
Engineer B subsequently sent the original report with a letter to the water supply division of the State Department of the Environment.
The MWC discharged Engineer B and ABC Engineers from project involvement in the water source change, and retained XYZ Consultants to assist with implementation.
XYZ Consultants provided a report to the Water Commission indicating that insufficient information was available to predict the severity of any potential public health and safety risk.
Several months later, Engineer B read in the local newspaper that the professional engineer in charge of the water supply division of the State Department of the Environment had approved the change of water source, with a five-year implementation plan to provide updated water treatment.
Engineer B continued to be concerned that public health and safety would be at risk and considered whether there were continuing ethical obligations, and if so, what alternative courses of action as an engineer and/or as a citizen of City M might merit consideration.