Water resources engineering, a specialization option in the civil engineering major, is the study of technologies that supply water. By designing, evaluating, and promoting appropriate technology, water resource engineers address the challenges of growing demand, declining quality, aging infrastructure, and increasing competition for limited water resources.

Graduates in WSU's civil engineering program are actively sought by employers. In addition to traditional architectural and engineering firms, students may work with government agencies, utility companies, telecommunications businesses, oil and natural resource industries, consulting firms, aerospace manufacturing companies, and construction industries, as well as biotechnology and information technology firms. Salaries are comparable to other traditional fields of engineering and very attractive. As in all areas of civil engineering, the job market has remained steady over the years because civil engineers are always needed to design, build, and rehabilitate the nation's infrastructure.