WEAT Ronald B. Sieger Biosolids Management Award

RONALD B. SIEGER BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT AWARD

...recognizes a WEAT member(s), an engineering firm, a specific project, a municipality, or a specific municipal or industrial facility that has made significant accomplishments in the field of biosolids technology and management practices within the boundaries of the State of Texas.

Tika Gautam, P. E.

Tika Gautam received his diploma in civil engineering from The Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 1994 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the same university in 1998. He received a Master of Science degree in civil engineering from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, in 2008.

Tika began his career as a civil engineer with engineering consulting firms in the western part of Nepal. His project involvement included reviewing technical specifications and bid documents; preparing cost estimates, analysis, and design of residential structures; performing a pre-feasibility study, engineering survey, detailed design, rate analysis, cost estimate, quantity take-offs, and construction inspection for several water supply and road construction projects; calculating drainage area boundaries, performing discharge calculations, analyses and design of stormwater drainage systems; and feasibility study, detailed survey, design and cost estimate for several suspension bridges for Suspension Bridge Division, Ministry of Local Development, Nepal. Tika also served as an engineering instructor teaching courses at the Tribhuvan University in Nepal. There, he was also involved in the university’s research, training and consultancy service unit, conducting vocational training, mentoring students, and providing social services. Immediately after moving to the United States in 2003, Tika worked as a manager in a convenience store, interacting with customers, vendors and the public. When Tika entered the municipal wastewater industry over 13 years ago, he immediately became involved with sludge and biosolids management and managing service contracts to transport and apply the Houston Water produced biosolids loads to ranches for beneficial reuse, primarily for pasture and hay production. Tika has made significant advancements in cost-effective, environmentally safe, and publicly acceptable biosolids management practices in the Houston region. Over the last decade, Tika has played a crucial role in helping to transform Houston Water’s Biosolids Management Program into an exemplary part of its wastewater utility. Over the course of his career, Tika has prioritized his role of mentoring students and engineersin-training. From his years at the Tribhuvan University to his current position with the City of Houston, Tika has mentored dozens of students and young engineers. Tika continues to learn and expand his knowledge in the wastewater field. He completed TCEQapproved classes for a wastewater plant operator license and registered to take Class C Wastewater Operator testing in the coming months. Tika is a current member of the WEAT Biosolids Committee. He has actively participated in several committee meetings and provided valuable input for the committee to formulate official opinions and recommendations on the topics related to the beneficial reuse of biosolids. Tika has made significant accomplishments in the field of solids/ biosolids technology and management practices within Houston Water’s wastewater utility and the boundaries of the State of Texas.