Md.Tawhidur Rahaman (ELP 2024) | Technical Expert at CWIS FSM Support Cell, Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Bangladesh
The day I graduated as a civil engineer, I was filled with pride but also uncertainty. I had no clear plan for what came next. I started my career designing residential buildings as a structural engineer. Yet despite the technical challenges, I never felt truly fulfilled. I watched building owners profit from my designs, while the benefits rarely reached the broader community. I wasn’t building hope or improving lives; I was simply delivering structures that served a few. The paycheck didn’t bring happiness; something was missing. That changed dramatically when I joined WaterAid Bangladesh. My role remained that of an engineer, but my mission shifted to something much bigger: serving low-income communities struggling with basic sanitation and water access. For the first time, I entered urban slums and rural areas where people’s suffering was a daily reality, not just a statistic. The challenge was immense designing and implementing community toilets, safe water points, rainwater harvesting systems, decentralized wastewater treatment plants, and faecal sludge treatment systems. This work impacted over 450,000 people, giving them access to safe and sustainable sanitation. But beyond the numbers, what stayed with me were the human stories: the mother relieved that her children could now use a clean toilet safely, the children no longer falling ill from contaminated water, the community feeling dignified and empowered. It was in these moments I first experienced what I now call the “serotonin effect.” It wasn’t about money or status; it was a surge of joy and purpose that comes from knowing your work truly matters. That feeling, the pure, fulfilling rush of contributing to people’s well-being became my compass and my fuel. It gave me a reason to wake up every morning eager to keep working, even when the road ahead was difficult.
Today, I am honored to serve at the CWIS-FSM Support Cell within the Department of Public Health Engineering in Bangladesh. Here, my work reaches 320 municipalities, scaling the impact I once dreamed of. We design integrated sanitation and waste treatment systems, supported by various development banks and government funds. The technologies we deploy are at the cutting edge: plasma gasification converts solid municipal waste into clean energy, reducing landfill use and harmful emissions. The OMNI Processor is a pioneering system that transforms human waste into potable water, electricity, and ash, promoting a circular economy while maintaining energy neutrality. Despite these exciting advancements, progress is never without setbacks. Funding cuts from major donors can slow or halt vital projects. Bureaucratic hurdles and logistical challenges often test our resolve. Yet, these difficulties never extinguish my passion. What keeps me going is the impact I see on the ground the transformed lives behind every technical design.
Photo: Tawhidur drinking purified water from the world’s third OMNI Processor an innovative system that transforms human waste into safe, potable water.
There is a mother in a small municipality who no longer fears her children falling sick from polluted water. There is a community leader proudly sharing stories of neighborhoods now free from open sewage. These moments remind me why this work matters. They are a powerful source of hope when progress seems slow or obstacles seem insurmountable. What fuels my passion is this human connection knowing that every technical solution translates into safer, healthier, and more dignified lives. It reminds me that engineering is not just about structures or machinery; it is about human well-being. When I design a sanitation system, I’m not just creating infrastructure; I am engineering hope. How do I stay connected to hope and possibility despite setbacks? I stay rooted in the small victories—the smiles, the stories, the clear water flowing where once there was none. I remember that change is often slow but relentless. I remind myself that the serotonin effect the joy and fulfillment of seeing real impact is worth every challenge. It is a biological reminder that this work is meaningful and necessary. I believe that anyone who does work creating real impact for communities will experience this same drive. The serotonin effect becomes a motivating force that encourages you to keep going, even when times are tough. It’s not just about what we build physically; it’s about the lives we touch and the futures we create.
I am proud to say that I am no longer just a civil engineer—I am a human engineer. I engineer solutions that improve lives, restore dignity, and build sustainable futures. This is what keeps me going. This is what fuels my passion. This is what renews my purpose. And this is why I will continue, no matter the obstacles. Because at the end of the day, when the serotonin rush hits, I know I am making a difference. And that is all the motivation I need to keep working for my community, my country, and our shared future.
Blog Main Image: Tawhidur in front of the world’s third OMNI Processor — turning human waste into clean water and electricity
Photos provided by the author, Md. Tawhidur Rahaman