DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Every time it rains, water from across the City of Decatur enters the sewer system and drains to Lake Decatur. Part of the job of the city's Civil Engineer is to make sure those drainage systems are safe and clean.Â
"It rains then that water is filtered through our treatment plants, reprocessed, then distributed out for you to drink, wash your hands, take showers," said Civil Engineer for the City of Decatur, Kahlil Graves-Thomas. "We don't want dirt in the system, trash, or plastics."Â
WAND News followed Graves-Thomas as he inspected the area outside of a new commercial development in the northeast area of town. He performs inspections on these facilities often to ensure they aren't doing anything that will damage city infrastructure. He also partners with contractors to ensure the systems they plan, make sense.Â
"With any new development, they either tie into our sanitary system or they drain into our storm sewer system," Graves-Thomas said. "I look at their plans for pipes, ditches, detention basins, sanitation sewer clean outs and all of the connections."Â
Graves-Thomas always had an interest in math and science, but did not know what civil engineering was until he went to college. He enjoys putting his talents to use to ensure the community stays safe and healthy.
He uses STEM principles in his job when he creates maps and plans of the water systems and compiles reports of stormwater. His favorite part of his job is putting together a design from scratch and then seeing it come to life over a few months.Â
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