In a lecture hall at NMBU, it dawned on Charlotte that having clean water in the tap is not a given. Now, she dedicates her time to ensuring access to clean drinking water and fjords to swim in. She is part of an industry that is on the lookout for more bright minds.
She works in what is known as the secret services. Vital work is being done underground, unseen and often taken for granted.
Below ground, there is an underground network of pipelines covering almost our entire country. This network provides us with clean water and ensures that our wastewater is properly purified before being released back into the nature around us.
Securing a vital resource
Charlotte graduated with a master's degree in water and environmental engineering just over half a year ago. She had already secured her current job before her master's degree was conferred. Now she works as a consultant at Rambøll, one of the world's largest consulting engineering companies.
"I feel so lucky! This is my first job, and this is exactly where I want to be," she smiles.
Today, she is visiting a sewage treatment plant. The conversation between her and the managing director, Geir, flows seamlessly. Their enthusiasm for the processes at the facility is contagious. On this facility, wastewater from the surrounding area is purified through multiple stages before being released back into nature.
Talking to and traveling around Norwegian municipalities is a significant part of her job. She helps renovate existing sewage treatment plants or plan new ones, ensuring that wastewater is purified well enough to meet new purification requirements. In addition to wastewater, she also assists municipalities in ensuring safe and sufficient drinking water.
"I contribute to clean water. What I am part of has a significant impact on Norwegian society. It's really cool."
Charlotte Marie Trovaag.
High demand for expertise in water and wastewater
The water industry in Norway faces many unresolved challenges.
"Adaptation to climate change, an aging pipeline network, and stricter requirements for the removal of nitrogen, micro-pollution, and pharmaceuticals before water flows into the fjords are challenges the industry must address," says Charlotte.
How to prepare sewage treatment plants for climate change is one of the questions she works on finding solutions to. There is much to address in the future, and the need for more bright minds is significant.
"The water and wastewater industry is crying out for more expertise. Here, you are guaranteed a job and rewarding tasks.
Charlotte Marie Trovaag.
Steady course towards diverse fjord life for future generations
After the visit to the plant, we take the ferry to an island in Oslo. Charlotte gazes out over the fjord that holds a treasury of her childhood memories.
The fjord and life within it have been a central part of her upbringing. By working towards reducing emissions into the fjords, she feels that she is making a contribution. It wasn't until she was well into her studies in natural sciences at NMBU that she discovered studying water and environmental engineering was a viable option.
Everything changed after attending a random lecture.
"It was a light bulb moment when the lecturer gave us insight into all the work and infrastructure behind the fact that you and I have clean drinking water in our taps. At the same time, I saw how vulnerable it all actually is, even here in Norway. From that moment, I knew that I wanted to work with water."
Since then, she has navigated a steadfast path—first as a dedicated student, then as a leader in the water and environmental engineering student association, as the visionary founder of the #taverdenvidere initiative, and presently, as a water consultant at Rambøll.
Now, her dream envisions that fjords and the vibrant life within them will become cherished elements of childhood memories for generations to come.
Ensuring access to clean water is a central topic worldwide. UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 commits countries to ensure sustainable management of water resources and access to safe water and sanitation by 2030.