Environmental engineers

88.6%

ADI · 77th of 433 · 95% interval 79.8–96.0

An AI agent can at least partly carry out 88.6% of the task time of environmental engineers, and finish 1.0% alone. The barrier that holds most of the rest back is access to the systems the work runs on.

ADI · partial or full88.6%

77th of 433 · interval 79.8–96.0

ADI3 · full delegation1.0%

153rd of 433 · interval 0.0–3.2

ADIs · share of time55.3%

87th of 433 · interval 52.3–58.4

Evidence57

task statements rated by two models and weighted by importance and frequency. World employment: 1.6 million.

Task weight by level

How the tasks rate

11%

88%

L0No meaningful role · 0.0%L1Augmentation · 11.4%L2Partial delegation · 87.6%L3Full delegation · 1.0%

Barriers

What stops the agent

Physical presence

24%

Accountability

79%

Trust and care

28%

Access to systems

80%

Share of task weight flagged by each barrier; a task can carry several.

57 task statements, heaviest first

Task statement (O*NET occupation)			Sonnet · Haiku			Barriers
Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.Water/Wastewater Engineers	4.6%	L2	L2L2	38%	1.5 h	Accountability, Trust and care
Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.Water/Wastewater Engineers	2.8%	L2	L2L2	60%	4.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.Environmental Engineers	2.6%	L2	L2L2	55%	24 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.Environmental Engineers	2.6%	L1	L1L2	35%	2.5 h	Trust and care, Access to systems
Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs.Environmental Engineers	2.4%	L2	L2L2	58%	4.0 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land.Environmental Engineers	2.4%	L2	L2L2	58%	8.0 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.Environmental Engineers	2.3%	L2	L2L2	58%	7.0 h	Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Coordinate or manage environmental protection programs or projects, assigning or evaluating work.Environmental Engineers	2.3%	L2	L2L2	45%	3.0 h	Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Design pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for the collection of wastewater.Water/Wastewater Engineers	2.2%	L2	L2L2	55%	24 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Evaluate the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater systems to identify ways to improve their efficiency.Water/Wastewater Engineers	2.2%	L2	L2L2	58%	10 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them.Environmental Engineers	2.1%	L2	L2L2	62%	4.0 h	Trust and care, Access to systems
Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems, aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings.Water/Wastewater Engineers	2.1%	L2	L2L2	50%	52 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Analyze and recommend chemical, biological, or other wastewater treatment methods to prepare water for industrial or domestic use.Water/Wastewater Engineers	2.0%	L2	L2L2	62%	6.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Direct installation or operation of environmental monitoring devices or supervise related data collection programs.Environmental Engineers	2.0%	L1	L1L2	32%	3.5 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.9%	L2	L2L2	60%	6.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems

Show the other 42 tasks

Task statement (O*NET occupation)			Sonnet · Haiku			Barriers
Design water distribution systems for potable or non-potable water.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.9%	L2	L2L2	58%	24 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Conduct water quality studies to identify and characterize water pollutant sources.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.9%	L2	L2L2	55%	28 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water wells.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.9%	L2	L2L2	55%	25 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Assist in budget implementation, forecasts, or administration.Environmental Engineers	1.9%	L2	L2L2	60%	3.0 h	Access to systems
Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability.Environmental Engineers	1.8%	L2	L2L2	50%	7.0 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Provide technical support on water resource or treatment issues to government agencies.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.8%	L2	L2L2	55%	4.0 h	Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Provide administrative support for projects by collecting data, providing project documentation, training staff, or performing other general administrative duties.Environmental Engineers	1.8%	L2	L2L2	65%	3.0 h	Trust and care, Access to systems
Prepare, review, or update environmental investigation or recommendation reports.Environmental Engineers	1.8%	L2	L2L2	65%	6.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Analyze storm water or floodplain drainage systems to control erosion, stabilize river banks, repair channel streams, or design bridges.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.8%	L2	L2L2	52%	8.0 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Provide environmental engineering assistance in network analysis, regulatory analysis, or planning or reviewing database development.Environmental Engineers	1.7%	L2	L2L2	60%	4.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Write technical reports or publications related to water resources development or water use efficiency.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.7%	L2	L2L2	68%	8.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Prepare, maintain, or revise quality assurance documentation or procedures.Environmental Engineers	1.7%	L2	L2L2	70%	3.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Design water runoff collection networks, water supply channels, or water supply system networks.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.7%	L2	L2L2	60%	24 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Inspect industrial or municipal facilities or programs to evaluate operational effectiveness or ensure compliance with environmental regulations.Environmental Engineers	1.7%	L1	L1L2	35%	7.0 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Conduct feasibility studies for the construction of facilities, such as water supply systems, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.6%	L2	L2L2	58%	60 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Advise industries or government agencies about environmental policies and standards.Environmental Engineers	1.6%	L2	L2L2	58%	6.0 h	Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Conduct cost-benefit analyses for the construction of water supply systems, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.6%	L2	L2L2	65%	12 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Request bids from suppliers or consultants.Environmental Engineers	1.6%	L2	L2L3	72%	4.0 h	Access to systems
Inform company employees or other interested parties of environmental issues.Environmental Engineers	1.6%	L2	L2L3	68%	2.0 h	Trust and care
Develop site-specific health and safety protocols, such as spill contingency plans or methods for loading or transporting waste.Environmental Engineers	1.6%	L2	L2L2	62%	8.0 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Obtain, update, or maintain plans, permits, or standard operating procedures.Environmental Engineers	1.5%	L2	L2L2	62%	6.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Assess, sort, characterize, or pack known or unknown materials.Environmental Engineers · supplemental task	1.5%	L1	L1L2	32%	2.0 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Oversee the construction of decentralized or on-site wastewater treatment systems, including reclaimed water facilities.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.5%	L1	L1L2	32%	22 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Perform hydraulic analyses of water supply systems or water distribution networks to model flow characteristics, test for pressure losses, or to identify opportunities to mitigate risks and improve operational efficiency.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.4%	L2	L2L2	60%	6.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Design water storage tanks or other water storage facilities.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.4%	L2	L2L2	58%	14 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Design sludge treatment plants.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.4%	L2	L2L2	58%	60 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Prepare or present public briefings on the status of environmental engineering projects.Environmental Engineers	1.4%	L2	L2L2	60%	4.0 h	Trust and care, Access to systems
Perform hydrological analyses, using three-dimensional simulation software, to model the movement of water or forecast the dispersion of chemical pollutants in the water supply.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.4%	L2	L2L2	58%	10 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Identify design alternatives for the development of new water resources.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.4%	L2	L2L2	62%	8.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Serve as liaison with federal, state, or local agencies or officials on issues pertaining to solid or hazardous waste program requirements.Environmental Engineers	1.4%	L2	L2L2	45%	3.0 h	Accountability, Trust and care
Analyze and recommend sludge treatment or disposal methods.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.3%	L2	L2L2	62%	7.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Develop, implement, or manage plans or programs related to conservation or management of natural resources.Environmental Engineers	1.3%	L2	L2L2	50%	24 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Provide assistance with planning, quality assurance, safety inspection protocols, or sampling as part of a team conducting multimedia inspections at complex facilities.Environmental Engineers	1.3%	L1	L1L2	35%	5.5 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Conduct environmental impact studies related to water and wastewater collection, treatment, or distribution.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.3%	L2	L2L2	58%	28 h	Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Develop plans for new water resources or water efficiency programs.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.3%	L2	L2L2	58%	24 h	Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Prepare hazardous waste manifests or land disposal restriction notifications.Environmental Engineers	1.3%	L2	L2L2	68%	1.1 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Perform mathematical modeling of underground or surface water resources, such as floodplains, ocean coastlines, streams, rivers, or wetlands.Water/Wastewater Engineers · supplemental task	1.3%	L2	L2L2	60%	24 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Gather and analyze water use data to forecast water demand.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.2%	L2	L2L2	70%	8.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Analyze the efficiency of water delivery structures, such as dams, tainter gates, canals, pipes, penstocks, or cofferdams.Water/Wastewater Engineers	1.2%	L2	L2L2	60%	6.0 h	Accountability, Access to systems
Develop or present environmental compliance training or orientation sessions.Environmental Engineers	1.1%	L2	L2L2	65%	5.5 h	Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Write reports or articles for Web sites or newsletters related to environmental engineering issues.Environmental Engineers	1.0%	L3	L3L3	85%	3.0 h	–
Attend professional conferences to share information.Environmental Engineers	0.9%	L1	L1L2	30%	8.0 h	Physical presence, Trust and care

Level: consensus of the two models (the lower level when they disagree). Share: part of the task’s working time an agent could take over. Human time: minutes a competent person needs for one instance, as estimated by the models.

Against other measures

Exposure is not delegation

Measure	Value	Pct
ADI (this index)	88.6%	82
Eloundou et al. (2024), GPT exposure β	0.535	84
Felten et al. (2021), AI occupational exposure	1.344	97
Webb (2020), AI patent exposure	90	89
Eisfeldt et al. (2026), generative AI exposure	0.518	89
Anthropic Economic Index, observed use	0.022	50

Earlier indices measure whether AI can touch a task; ADI measures how much of it an agent can carry out from a goal. – : the source does not cover this occupation.

Same sub-major group (21)

Neighbouring occupations

Occupation	ADI	%
Graphic and multimedia designers 2166		96.8
Mathematicians, actuaries and statisticians 2120		96.5
Meteorologists 2112		94.4
Electrical engineers 2151		91.8
Building architects 2161		91.1
Telecommunications engineers 2153		90.1
Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified 2149		89.4
Chemical engineers 2145		88.9
Industrial and production engineers 2141		87.6
Electronics engineers 2152		85.5
Mechanical engineers 2144		84.9
Cartographers and surveyors 2165		83.7

Dashed line: environmental engineers (88.6%).

Cite this record

Text

Espinal Maya, Cristian, and Santiago Jiménez Londoño. 2026. ADI v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and MCP server. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918. Record: Environmental engineers (ISCO-08 2143), https://balamlabs.org/adi/occupations/2143

BibTeX

@misc{espinal2026adidata,
  title     = {{ADI} v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and {MCP} server},
  author    = {Espinal Maya, Cristian and Jim{\'e}nez Londo{\~n}o, Santiago},
  year      = {2026},
  publisher = {Zenodo},
  version   = {v2026.1},
  doi       = {10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
  url       = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
  note      = {Record: Environmental engineers (ISCO-08 2143)}
}

Machine-readable

The same record as static JSON, with its citation: /adi/v2026.1/isco/2143.json.

Compare with another occupation How it is measured