Speakers

Katie Walker joined Jacobs in 2025 as our new global principal for PFAS. With more than 18 years of experience in the water industry, she helps our clients develop water treatment solutions to address emerging drinking water quality challenges, with a particular focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal.

Katie’s broad experience in water and wastewater planning and design includes extensive investigations into raw water and water quality issues, such as high organics and emerging contaminants. She evaluates treatment strategies to ensure compliance with regulatory and secondary treatment requirements. More recently, Katie has focused on treating emerging contaminants, including PFAS and 1,4-dioxane. Her work includes managing bench- and pilot-scale studies on PFAS treatment best practices, including powdered activated carbon (PAC), granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange (IX) resins, high pressure membranes (nanofiltration and reverse osmosis), foam fractionation and destruction technologies. 

As a project manager and design lead, Katie has contributed to a wide variety of water projects, including water and wastewater treatment facilities, pipelines and pump stations and facility planning with experience across all phases of project delivery and delivery models. 

As an industry thought leader in PFAS and emerging contaminants evaluation and treatment, Katie has presented at numerous state, national and international water conferences. She has also participated in leadership roles for local and state chapters of the American Water Works Association.