Our People
Meet Katie Walker
Cary, North Carolina
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Katie Walker joined Jacobs in 2025 as our new global principal for PFAS. With more than 18 years of experience in the water industry, she helps our clients develop water treatment solutions to address emerging drinking water quality challenges, with a particular focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal.
Katie’s broad experience in water and wastewater planning and design includes extensive investigations into raw water and water quality issues, such as high organics and emerging contaminants. She evaluates treatment strategies to ensure compliance with regulatory and secondary treatment requirements. More recently, Katie has focused on treating emerging contaminants, including PFAS and 1,4-dioxane. Her work includes managing bench- and pilot-scale studies on PFAS treatment best practices, including powdered activated carbon (PAC), granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange (IX) resins, high pressure membranes (nanofiltration and reverse osmosis), foam fractionation and destruction technologies.
As a project manager and design lead, Katie has contributed to a wide variety of water projects, including water and wastewater treatment facilities, pipelines and pump stations and facility planning with experience across all phases of project delivery and delivery models.
As an industry thought leader in PFAS and emerging contaminants evaluation and treatment, Katie has presented at numerous state, national and international water conferences. She has also participated in leadership roles for local and state chapters of the American Water Works Association.
“Access to clean water affects my life every day – from swimming to cooking and eating! I’m passionate about helping others plan and operate safe, reliable water systems so that everyone has the same opportunity. ”
Katie Walker
Get to know Katie
Can you tell us about your career journey?
One of my first projects was designing a greenfield surface water treatment plant for a new water source. I led a large pilot-scale study that tested 14 different treatment technologies ranging from membranes to ozone to GAC. I was fascinated by the challenge of building a treatment train that met specific water quality standards while balancing operational drivers. That experience led me to focus my career on water quality and how we can design or optimize treatment to achieve our clients’ goals.
What sparked your passion for working in this industry?
My dad worked in the water industry for many years, primarily helping small rural water systems receive the funding and support they so desperately needed. I also spent much of my childhood outdoors and want to pass along a clean environment to my children. Those experiences inspired me to study water and wastewater engineering so I could play a direct role in keeping our world clean.
What’s your favorite part of your role?
PFAS knows no bounds – it moves throughout the entire water cycle. Addressing it in one place doesn’t always lead to complete remediation within a system. That complexity means I get to collaborate with professionals across multiple disciplines, from water and environmental experts to specialists in other markets, to tackle this challenge.
When you aren’t working, what are we most likely to find you doing?
I love spending time outdoors – whether it’s reading a book on the back porch or taking a hike with my family. We also enjoy tracking the wildlife – owls, foxes, deer, rabbits – that regularly pass through the yard. North Carolina, with its beaches, lakes, and mountains, is a true outdoor enthusiast’s paradise!
Can you share one piece of advice?
For upcoming graduates, take a class in data analytics! Our clients have been collecting data for years, and now it’s time to turn that information into something powerful and proactive.
What is the biggest challenge in your market?
The water industry is facing a “silver tsunami” as much of the workforce nears retirement. It’s critical that we help clients capture historical knowledge and set them up for success through tools like system automation, forecast planning and the use of artificial intelligence.