Chitra Foster, PE, DBIA, ENV SP
Regional ManagerWater
Inspired by a desire to increase worldwide access to safe, reliable water supplies, Chitra Foster has spent her career improving water and wastewater infrastructure. Having lived in many areas of the world, she bridges cultural divides with strong leadership and excellent communication skills.
Chitra leads the Water Group out of Dallas, Texas, supporting growth of municipal, industrial and construction markets across the Southern U.S. She has more than two decades of international experience in engineering, construction and project management. Chitra helps teams work with emerging technology to improve design quality, increase speed to turnover and reduce conflicts on large, complex capital programs.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I dream of having a safe sidecar so I can have my dog go on motorbike rides with me!
What inspired you to pursue your career?
The desire to improve the lives of the poor in the developing world (where I grew up) with safe, reliable water supply and sanitation.
What’s the coolest part of your job?
Technological innovations — both hardware, like new treatment processes, and software, such as digital twins — to improve our understanding and design of dynamic systems.
What’s the coolest part of your job?
In industrialized nations, on-demand tap water is taken for granted — we flush our toilets and water our gardens with drinking-quality water. This has resulted in water being an undervalued resource and an underfunded municipal water sector that lags in innovation. Public awareness of increasing water scarcity, and their concerns about drinking water quality mean there is an impetus for change. I'm also excited for the innovation and passion our young talent is bringing to this sector.
If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be?
Knowing every language in the world fluently, written and verbal.