People Spotlight: Meet Ahmad Bitar
Our People Spotlight series gives you an inside look at our technical experts around the world. This week we are highlighting Ahmad Bitar, PE, a project manager and wastewater expert specializing in biosolid management based in our Charlotte, North Carolina, office and are providing an insight into his inspiration and work.
Growing up in Palestine’s West Bank with a civil engineer father, Ahmad saw how strong water infrastructure can make a real difference for communities. That early experience sparked his passion for sustainability and water reuse. After earning his engineering degree in the West Bank and a master’s degree from Utah State University, Ahmad made Charlotte home. Motivated by the potential for smart water use — including the One Water concept in which all water sources are managed as equally valuable with an eye on resilience and reliability — Ahmad works on projects like water reclamation networks and biosolids dewatering systems to create lasting, positive impacts.
What inspired you to join the industry?
It all started with my dad, a civil engineer working on water and wastewater projects in Nablus, a city in the West Bank. Growing up in the 1990s, we would be walking around the city and I would watch as people came up to thank him. I’d ask why, and he’d say, “We installed a new water line,” or “We built a well to improve access to clean water.” Seeing firsthand how infrastructure could change lives inspired me early on.
It all started with my dad, a civil engineer working on water and wastewater projects in Nablus, a city in the West Bank. Growing up in the 1990s, we would be walking around the city and I would watch as people came up to thank him. I’d ask why, and he’d say, “We installed a new water line,” or “We built a well to improve access to clean water.” Seeing firsthand how infrastructure could change lives inspired me early on.
In high school, I gravitated toward science projects about wastewater. For my ninth grade science project, I explored different treatment processes. Naturally, I chose civil engineering for my undergraduate degree, with a focus on water and wastewater systems.
During my senior year, professors encouraged me to consider graduate school at Utah State University. I was accepted and joined the Utah Water Research Lab, which focuses on hydraulic modeling and environmental wastewater treatment. That’s also when I got involved with the Water Environment Federation (WEF). I joined the student chapter, competed in the state’s annual design competition twice, and represented Utah at WEFTEC both years. That experience sparked my deeper interest in biosolids and introduced me to the professional side of the water industry.
In 2018, I moved to Charlotte where I started with pipeline projects, odor control and biogas systems. I gradually took on more responsibility — running calculations, conducting field work, and contributing to design efforts. When AECOM reached out, I was drawn to the opportunity to work with a tight-knit local team backed by a global firm’s resources.
Now, I lead technical work on pipeline and biosolids projects, handling everything from early study phases to detailed design submittals. I also stay active in the industry through my involvement with North Carolina One Water.
When AECOM reached out, I was drawn to the opportunity to work with a tight-knit local team backed by a global firm’s resources.
What is your favorite AECOM project that you’ve worked on and why?
We designed a water reuse network for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte that uses reclaimed water from a nearby Charlotte Water treatment plant for irrigation and use in cooling towers. Our team developed the connection from the plant to the university campus, and the pipe distribution network throughout campus grounds.
Before it’s reused, the water is treated to EPA standards suitable for agricultural or industrial use, in this case, for cooling systems. It’s a smart, sustainable solution that reduces the university’s use of potable water and supports Charlotte Water’s “One Water” vision of circular water use.
The university has completed part of the system, with plans to expand it over the next few years. I served as the deputy project manager for the initial phase and will step into the project manager role as construction continues.
Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community
We’re working on a biosolids project in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, alongside AECOM’s global biosolids lead, Terry Goss, who’s based in Raleigh.
The local wastewater plant uses belt filter presses to remove water from biosolids, reducing their volume and weight. Those presses are at the end of their useful life, so we’re evaluating options to replace and increase capacity. That could mean newer, larger belt filter presses — or different technologies like screw presses, centrifuges, or volute presses that offer more reliable performance and better dewatering. My role specifically is to choose the right dewatering equipment to replace the existing belt filter presses, correctly size it to fit their current and future needs, design the polymer system that will be added to thicken the biosolids, and design the necessary connections and appurtenances.
Dewatering is key to biosolids management. The more water you remove, the less volume there is to haul or dispose of — saving municipalities money, especially when biosolids go to landfills. Many utilities are also exploring composting or biogas production to turn waste into usable resources.
My role specifically is to choose the right dewatering equipment to replace their existing Belt Filter Presses, correctly size it to fit their current and future needs, design the polymer system that will be added to thicken the biosolids, and design the necessary connections and appurtenances.
Upgrading the equipment in Fort Lauderdale will have a meaningful impact on both public health and the environment. Keeping waterways and beaches clean is a big part of what drives me. It’s an exciting time in the industry. Technology now allows us to treat wastewater to the point that it can become clean drinking water again. That full-circle approach is at the heart of the “One Water” concept: using and reusing water wisely to protect our limited resources and reduce environmental impact.
Keeping waterways and beaches clean is a big part of what drives me. It’s an exciting time in the industry. Technology now allows us to treat wastewater to the point that it can become clean drinking water again.
Share a piece of career advice
Try everything at least once. Accept the opportunities that come your way. Maybe you’ll find there is something you do not want to do again. That’s fine. But at least try it first and see where it takes you. Biosolids weren’t something that I initially wanted to work on. I was approached to work on them. I found that I liked the work and have remained involved ever since. Being receptive to opportunities keeps your options open and will motivate you to learn new things.