— There are so many women in these countries who are dying in childbirth for no reason. We clean up the water system so people can stay healthy.
With 43 years of hydraulic engineering experience to contribute, David Heiser serves as Water Consultant on the Impact Global Health Alliance Global’s Board of Advisors. He is passionate about constructing water treatment centers because he believes clean water is the first step in developing healthy communities. Once communities have access to clean water, they can build schools, hospitals, and a higher standard of living.
About David
David started his global experiences from an early age. At the age of 5, David’s family moved from Denver, Colorado to New Delhi, India because of his father’s job as a dam engineer. Throughout his childhood, he lived in India, Pakistan, and Iran. He then attended boarding school in Switzerland where he learned French and German. In 1964, he returned home to the US to complete his final years of high school.
After spending 6 years in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War, David attended Pennsylvania State University. He graduated with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, focusing on pure hydraulics. His college days sparked his interest in professional organizations. David has since been active in many engineering organizations including Engineers without Borders, American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, and the North Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation. In 2003, David earned the title of Engineer of the Year from the Professional Engineers of North Carolina organization.
David currently works at CDM Smith as a Senior Environmental Engineer. He was able to continue his global travels during his career through projects in Hong Kong, Egypt, and Guam. For the past 8 years he has mainly been involved with wastewater treatment plant construction in Greensboro, North Carolina. After a multitude of contributions to design, construction management, pumping stations, and pipelines, David will be retiring at the end of 2018.
Wells of Hope
Between work responsibilities and spending time with his family, David contributes his expertise to constructing clean water facilities in low-income communities. In local North Carolina neighborhoods, he conducted engineering reports at no cost, which are needed to apply for grant money. He has also volunteered abroad in Nicaragua, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Guatemala.
David teaches community officials in Guatemala how to test water quality for safe drinking.
With Impact Global Health Alliance Global, David is paving the way for women and children to access health care in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala. “Usually, when I go on a mission I like it to be water or wastewater related. I get a sense of satisfaction that, when I leave, I’ve helped the community.”
Clean water is necessary for the health of every community. Improper sanitation leads to many illnesses, especially diarrheal diseases. We all know hydration is important in daily life, but drinking water is even more important during an illness. David’s help in developing water systems brings Impact Global Health Alliance Global one step closer to caring for women and children in remote areas of the world. Check out more pictures of David in action on our Facebook page.
Flowing Forward
After retiring at the end of the year, David is excited to devote more time to humanitarian efforts. He looks forward to accompanying Impact Global Health Alliance Global on more international mission trips. David will be continuing projects in Guatemala and Bolivia that help maintain clean and healthy environments for women and children.
David works to make sure that water is accessible for everyone in all corners of the world. His expertise and enthusiasm for helping others has flowed both near and far. At each stop, he creates a spout that will flow into buckets for years to come.
Written by Victoria Hallman, Digital Marketing Intern
