Anna Grudinina is our YWPDK profile for October 2017. Anna works as a project manager at the utility company Herning Water A/S. She leads projects related to storm water management and has been a part of the YWPDK network since 2015.
What is your current work title and what is your background/degree?
I graduated as Civil Engineering in Environmental Technology (Aquatic Ecology) from the University of Southern Denmark and has been working at Herning Water A/S for the past 4,5 years as a project manager responsible for planning and hydraulic calculations of storm water systems. I am leading projects from the planning phase, when it is “just a drawing”, through the design/calculation phase and all the way to the implementation phase, when the pipes are actually buried in the ground.
What is your motivation for working with water?
Flood prevention is a complex, multifaceted task, which involves a lot of coordination between different stakeholders such as utility companies, municipalities, nature protection organizations, politicians, citizens etc. It is a dynamic process, which is challenging and exciting at the same time. It is very motivating, when you find a solution, which satisfies most of the stakeholders.
What are your main interests within this field?
Designing the storm water systems, which will be functioning the next 100 years. Finding robust solutions, which will also add some recreational value to the society. Being ahead of the future challenges as much as possible.
What was your motivation for becoming a member of YWPDK and how did you hear about the network?
I have read about YWPDK in DANSKVAND (DANVAs magazine) and thought that it is a good idea, because being a young professional in an organization, where most of your colleagues have 25 and more years of experience can be challenging in its special way.
What are your thoughts on the challenges that we, as young water professionals, face in the coming years?
As young water professionals, we will have to find new and more effective solutions to face the future problems in the water sector. The legislation is changing constantly, we are facing new challenges every day and our task is to march in step with progress or even being one step ahead.
