PE Water Resources study plan
PE Water Resources · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 8 hours per week
Hydraulics and Hydrology
Apply continuity, energy, and momentum equations to closed-conduit and open-channel problems
Calculate major and minor head losses using Darcy-Weisbach and Hazen-Williams relationships
Size simple pump-and-pipeline systems and locate operating points on system curves
Solve Manning equation problems for uniform open-channel flow
Interpret hydraulic grade line and energy grade line profiles qualitatively
Your checkpoint
Complete a 25-question timed hydraulics problem set with worked solutions and score at least 80%.
Water and Wastewater Engineering
Design coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation units using typical design criteria
Size granular media filters and calculate backwash requirements
Compute disinfection contact time, CT values, and log inactivation
Estimate sludge production and solids loading for conventional treatment trains
Balance flows and mass loads across a surface water treatment plant
Your checkpoint
Produce a one-page water treatment process train mass balance with supporting calculations and a 15-question quiz scored at 80% or better.
Hydraulics and Hydrology & Water and Wastewater Engineering
Apply the rational method and time-of-concentration concepts to small drainage areas
Derive and use unit hydrographs for runoff volume and peak flow estimates
Calculate BOD, solids retention time, and oxygen demand for activated sludge systems
Size preliminary and primary wastewater treatment units
Integrate hydrologic inflow estimates with wastewater facility capacity checks
Your checkpoint
Write a two-page watershed-to-wastewater-plant sizing memo that includes runoff, inflow, and treatment capacity calculations.
Water Resources Analysis and Design
Estimate water demand and project future demand using population and per-capita methods
Evaluate reservoir storage-yield relationships and safe yield
Analyze pipe networks using loop and node methods
Size stormwater detention and retention facilities for peak-flow attenuation
Compare pump and system curves to select operating conditions
Your checkpoint
Complete a 60-minute mixed water resources analysis mock section and score at least 70%, with a written error log.
Project and Construction Management
Construct and analyze critical path method networks including float and crashing
Prepare quantity takeoffs and conceptual cost estimates
Distinguish contract types, delivery methods, and key risk allocation clauses
Apply quality control and quality assurance concepts to construction submittals
Identify common scheduling and cost-control performance metrics
Your checkpoint
Build a complete CPM schedule and cost estimate for a small utility project, including critical path, float, and a one-page risk register.
Hydraulics and Hydrology & Water and Wastewater Engineering & Water Resources Analysis and Design
Rework every missed item from the Week 1 through Week 4 error logs
Solve mixed timed sets spanning hydraulics, hydrology, treatment, and distribution
Consolidate governing equations and unit conversions into a personal formula sheet
Identify the three weakest calculation types and complete targeted drills for each
Your checkpoint
Submit a personal formula sheet plus a 50-question mixed review set scored at 75% or higher.
Water and Wastewater Engineering & Project and Construction Management
Analyze wastewater treatment troubleshooting scenarios using operating data
Evaluate water treatment plant reliability and redundancy options
Apply project management concepts to schedule delays, change orders, and claims
Practice ethics and professional-practice judgment questions
Complete a full-length timed practice examination under exam conditions
Your checkpoint
Complete one full-length timed mock exam and record section-level scores and timing data.
Hydraulics and Hydrology & Water and Wastewater Engineering & Water Resources Analysis and Design & Project and Construction Management
Review all section-level mock exam errors and correct underlying concept gaps
Re-drill high-frequency calculations from each domain
Finalize the formula sheet and unit-conversion quick reference
Practice exam-day pacing and question triage strategies
Confirm logistics, references, and allowed materials for exam day
Your checkpoint
Score at least 75% on a final timed mock exam and produce a one-page exam-day strategy sheet.
Milestones
Week 2: Hydraulics and water treatment fundamentals completed with two scored problem sets at 80% or better.
Week 4: Water resources analysis mock section completed at 70% or better with documented error log.
Week 6: Mixed review set completed at 75% or better and personal formula sheet finalized.
Week 8: Final full-length mock exam completed at 75% or better with exam-day strategy sheet ready.