Professional Engineer and Content Writer with One Goal:

To Serve the Water Industry

Hi, I am Janet McSwain.  I am a professional engineer and content writer.  And I am passionate about water. I believe there is no business more important than the water and wastewater business – we safeguard the health and economic vitality of the United States, and the world. In fact, I believe the water and wastewater operators and utilities are the great unsung heroes of our civilization – and they deserve our best efforts to help them help all of us.

BS in Chemical Engineering, Masters in Civil Engineering, Water focus

Yes, that's me - with the oyster encrusted metal fence post I wrestled from the pluff mud during a recent Beach Sweep. Getting that back, balanced across my kayak took some doing!

My BS in Chemical Engineering and my years as a chemical process engineer prepared me well to evaluate the complex processes that make up today’s water and wastewater process industry. After transitioning into wastewater engineering, I added a Masters in Civil Engineering, specifically in water and wastewater.  I have actually passed Professional Engineer Examinations in both disciplines.

But water is my world…

25 Years of Water and Wastewater Experience

I have had the opportunity to work for a variety of companies in a variety of locations, from Wisconsin to New Orleans, to New York to Charleston, SC. I have worked for small firms of less than a dozen employees, and been the engineering department manager of a local office of one of the largest multinational engineering consulting firms in the world.

Major engineering companies I have worked for include Montgomery Watson (now MWH), URS and AECOM.  One of my favorite jobs was working on the NYC Watershed Upgrade Program, evaluating and facilitating wastewater treatment plants upgrades.

Because of this experience, I understand your clients, large and small. I know that there are different informational requirements for being specified through a small, autonomous office vs. a major multinational company with design centers that make decisions on equipment specifications.

I understand the need to equip your sales people and the engineers with information that can be readily explained to the smallest town council as well as detailed technical information to address the concerns of a major utility’s engineering and maintenance departments.

I Write to Educate and Persuade

I use both sides of my brain.  I stand out among engineers because I have always enjoyed writing, whether it was a case study, white paper, engineering report - or even poetry, theology papers, and short stories.  I enjoy the challenge of word smithing -- especially when it comes to crafting technological ideas into concepts that can be understood even by those without a technical background, like town councils.

I also believe that just as technology continues to evolve, so do methods of reaching your target markets.  In addition to staying on top of the technological innovations, I also stay on top of new developments in marketing trends.

I don't just rely on my technical experience and writing skill.  I have studied the best methods for developing key components of your marketing strategy  -- including webpages, white papers and case studies.  I have been mentored by the best in the industry.  And I continue to refine my skills, studying the psychology of marketing, and investigating new methods of educating and persuading with content.

I Enjoy Evaluating Technology - Developing Materials that Explain Features and Benefits

I have always loved innovative products.  What I enjoy most is diving into the details of a process design.  I love giving it a good thorough evaluation and determining its unique features and benefits for each type of decision maker.

Because I am an engineer, I ask and address the questions that engineers will ask.  And, as a consultant, I have pitched innovative designs to clients large and small.  I know how to address their unique concerns.  Concerns over cost, maintenance, sustainability,  and political acceptability.

I know how to convert technical knowledge into compelling content that addresses the concerns of all your decision makers -- and that converts to sales!

When I am not working for the water industry…

…you can still find me on the water. Favorite vacations have included multiple canoe expeditions into the Boundary Waters, or kayaking in the Intracoastal Waterway with the dolphins. Throughout my life, I have drawn strength from the rivers of my communities – the Coosa, the Wisconsin, the Mississippi, the Mohawk, the Hudson, the Ashley, and the Edisto. They are the life bringing arteries of the world. Let me help you protect them.