People Spotlight: Meet Kerry Smith
Our People Spotlight series gives you an inside look at our technical experts around the world. This week, we are highlighting a technical director from our Water business line in Scotland, providing an insight into their inspiration and work.
Kerry Smith is a technical director with 25 years of experience in the water industry focusing on water distribution, drainage infrastructure and program and project management. He is a chartered water and environmental manager with CIWEM and a chartered environmentalist with the Society for the Environment. He possesses a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Title: Development of a Transitioning Approach to Reduce Surface Water Volumes in Combined Sewer Systems and a Master’s Degree in Urban Water and Environmental Management, both from Abertay University.
What inspired you to join the industry?
I grew up surrounded by nature in the Shetland Islands in Scotland, which led me develop a passion for the environment. I have also always been a keen problem solver with an interest in engineering. Upon completing my studies in environmental science, I was looking for a role that combines working in an office environment with working in the field.
The water sector has always captivated me with its unique blend of engineering and environmental challenges. My initial interest was sparked by the opportunity to collect data while travelling across Scotland. As my career advanced, I became increasingly engaged with the interconnected nature of the work, collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders — customers, clients, landowners and internal departments, including health and safety, project management, digital, finance and design, among others.”
In the early 2000s, I had the opportunity to join our water networks team — this was the perfect fit for me at the time and I have never looked back.
The water sector has always captivated me with its unique blend of engineering and environmental challenges. My initial interest was sparked by the opportunity to collect data while travelling across Scotland. As my career advanced, I became increasingly engaged with the interconnected nature of the work, collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders — customers, clients, landowners and internal departments, including health and safety, project management, digital, finance and design, among others.
What is your favorite AECOM project that you’ve worked on and why?
The Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA) project is a joint venture between AECOM and Morrison Water Services delivering water programs for Scottish Water, Scotland’s national water utility. The Scottish Water capital investment programme is one of my favourite projects, as I was involved in the outline and detailed design, technical queries and design changes for the construction of the client’s water infrastructure and networks.
Our goals for this project were to provide a consistent supply of high-quality drinking water, protecting and enhancing the environment, and supporting Scotland’s economy and communities.
We rehabilitated potable water distribution mains through the capital maintenance programme of 350 kilometres and flushing/mains conditioning programmes of 1,600 kilometres from the Shetland Islands to Stornoway, Stranraer and Selkirk. I am proud to have played my part in improving the quality and reliability of drinking water for Scottish Water’s customers.
Getting to make a real difference in my home community has been a rewarding experience for me. It was a special experience, engaging with people from an area I’ve known my whole life and working collaboratively with people I went to school with, along with the interesting challenges that came with that.
For the Scottish Water capital investment programme, we rehabilitated potable water distribution mains through the capital maintenance programme of 350 kilometres and flushing/mains conditioning programmes of 1,600 kilometres from the Shetland Islands to Stornoway, Stranraer and Selkirk. I am proud to have played my part in improving the quality and reliability of drinking water for Scottish Water’s customers.”
Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.
I’ve held several roles on the CWA project, but the one that stands out the most is my role as the design manager for the water programme. One notable project involved laying a new 7-kilometer water main from the Eela Water reservoir to the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, one of Europe’s largest facilities of its kind. The primary goal was to mitigate the risk of unplanned supply interruptions that could impact the local community, including the high school and the oil terminal.
Given the rural location and single-track roads, traffic management was a significant challenge. We implemented a well-coordinated system that provided frequent passing opportunities for the public. High levels of community engagement were also crucial, with regular notifications through various media outlets.
The project presented unique challenges, such as discovering and safely dealing with unexploded ordinance — a legacy from the area’s use as a flying boat base during WWII and the site of the first air raid on Britain by the German Luftwaffe. To navigate these complexities, we collaborated with local contractors who had detailed knowledge of the terrain, and the project was managed by a local CWA representative.
Engagement with the oil terminal personnel was extensive, ensuring safe crossing of the large oil pipelines. Throughout the project, safety remained our top priority, adhering to the principle that nothing is so urgent that it cannot be done safely.
One notable project involved laying a new 7-kilometer water main from the Eela Water reservoir to the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, one of Europe’s largest facilities of its kind. The primary goal was to mitigate the risk of unplanned supply interruptions that could impact the local community, including the high school and the oil terminal.”
Share a piece of career advice.
Be polite, ask for help when needed, and people will invariably help you. Your line manager would prefer that you ask for an explanation, guidance or support for something you aren’t sure of, rather than spending potentially large amounts of time on something that could be wrong, incurring not only financial penalties and risks but, more significantly, potential health and safety implications.
Divide large challenges such as getting chartered or achieving further higher educational awards into smaller achievable tasks. Every ten-thousand-mile journey starts with a first step.
Find something you enjoy and if you don’t like it, be strong enough to change it.
