Page 37 - Water and Wastewater Engineering Design Principles and Practice

1-8 WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING

agree on a venture into uncharted territory. If the territory is simply uncharted for the design
engineer but not for the profession, then the design engineer must employ a partner that can bring
experience or obtain the necessary training to become competent.

Third Canon
It may not seem that engineers would be called upon to issue public statements. Yet, there are nu-
merous times that public statements are issued. Often these are formal, such as signing contracts,
making presentations to a city council or other public body, and issuing statements to the news
media. In other instances it is not so obvious that the statements are public. Verbal statements
to individual members of the public, posting of signs, and signing change orders on government
financed projects are examples of informal public statements.

Fourth Canon
A faithful agent is more than a loyal one. A faithful agent must be completely frank and open
with his/her employer and client. This means getting the facts, explaining them, and not violating
the other canons to please the client or your employer.
Conflicts of interest may be subtle. A free lunch, a free trip, or a golf outing may not seem
like much of a conflict of interest, but in the eyes of the public, any gift may be seen as an attempt
to gain favors. Appearances do count and, in the public’s view, perception is reality.

Fifth Canon
This canon appears to be self-explanatory. We understand that cheating on exams is unethical.
Likewise, cheating by claiming credit for work that someone else has done is unethical.
Unfair competition has taken a broad meaning in the review of ethics boards. For example,
offering services to a potential client that has retained another engineer to do the same work falls
into the category of unfair competition if the engineer solicits the work. The circumstances are
different if the client solicits the engineer after having already retained another engineer. This
type of request must be treated with great care. It is best to decline this type of employment until
the client and original engineer resolve or dissolve their relationship.
Similarly, a request to review the work of another engineering firm may be construed to be
unfair competition. The best procedure is for the client to advise the original firm of their desire
to have an independent review. Another alternative is to advise the originating engineering firm
that the request has been made. This is a matter of courtesy, if not a matter of ethics.

Sixth Canon
This canon has two elements. The first is to treat others with the same courtesy that you
would expect from them. The second is to behave such that the credibility of your work is not
jeopardized.

Seventh Canon
Engineers use technology both in the process of doing their job and in the provision of solutions
to problems. It is incumbent on them to keep up with the technology. One of the best means of
doing this is to participate in one of the relevant professional societies by attending meetings,