Water

Water Distribution System Expert Witness Services | Bonneau Dickson, PE

When a water or wastewater system fails, someone needs to find out why. That’s where I come in. I help attorneys, insurers, and property owners get real answers. As a water distribution system expert witness with over 40 years in civil and sanitary engineering, I dig into the evidence, find the root cause, and explain it in plain terms that anyone can follow, including a judge or jury.

What Does a Water Engineering Expert Witness Actually Do?

Picture this: a water main breaks. A sewer backs up. A well suddenly runs dry. Someone has to figure out what happened, and whether it could have been stopped. That’s my job.

I look at design records, inspection reports, maintenance logs, and site conditions. Piece by piece, I build a clear picture of what went wrong. Then I write it all up in a report or explain my findings in testimony so they hold up under pressure.

So far, I’ve worked as a water infrastructure expert witness and water litigation expert witness on more than 100 cases. That includes sewage backups, septic system failures, sewer pipe breaks, pump station problems, stormwater drainage issues, and wastewater leaks that caused property damage.

Why Do You Need a Water Infrastructure Forensic Consultant?

Here’s the thing: water and wastewater failures rarely have just one cause. A backup could come from a design flaw. Or a maintenance gap. Or tree roots. Or a contractor’s mistake. Figuring out which one actually caused the damage is exactly the kind of forensic work I do best.

As a water infrastructure failure investigation consultant, I don’t guess. I follow the evidence until it leads to a real, engineering-based answer.

This matters even more when money and property are on the line. So whether you’re facing a water supply contamination lawsuit or a sewer failure claim, you need someone who can explain complex engineering in plain English. That’s exactly what I do.

How Does My Process Work?

I keep things simple and thorough. Here’s what to expect:

1. Case review: First, I go through documents, photos, maps, and any prior reports.
2. Site investigation: If needed, I visit the site to see the conditions myself.
3. Analysis: Next, I apply engineering standards and years of field experience to pinpoint the cause.
4. Reporting: Then I write up my findings in clear, everyday language, not just engineering jargon.
5. Testimony: Finally, I’m ready to explain my conclusions in a deposition or at trial.

Experience That Backs Up My Opinions

My background speaks for itself. I hold a civil engineering degree from Georgia Tech, a master’s in sanitary engineering from Harvard, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. I’m also a licensed Civil Engineer in California.

Over the years, I’ve helped design close to 300 water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. Some were as small as a single septic tank. Others were as big as an 80 MGD water treatment plant. That mix of hands-on design work and courtroom experience is what makes my opinions carry weight.

What Makes Me Different?

Plenty of engineers understand design. Fewer know how to turn that knowledge into testimony that makes sense to everyday people. For more than 25 years, that’s exactly what I’ve done, serving as a water systems expert witness and water quality litigation expert engineer for law firms, insurers, and public agencies. They come to me because they need real answers, not just opinions.

Looking for Water Engineering Expertise?

If you’re facing a water system failure, contamination issue, or infrastructure dispute, don’t wait to bring in an expert. Contact Bonneau Dickson, PE today to schedule a consultation. Let’s get you a clear, experienced read on what happened; and why!

Frequently Asked Questions