CCEE Hall of Fame

International impact and dedication to the water profession, diligent efforts in providing better water in Iowa and the world, and instrumental in the formation of the Association of Boards of Certification

Inducted 2021

Harris F. Seidel graduated from Iowa State in 1944 with a B.S. degree and later earned a Ph.D. at Iowa State in 1959, both in civil engineering. His early experience included work with Pfeifer and Shultz, a Minneapolis consulting engineering firm, and teaching at the University of Minnesota.

In 1951, he returned to Ames as Superintendent of the city’s new wastewater treatment plant. In 1954, he was appointed Director of the Water and Pollution Control Department, serving in that position until retirement in 1991.

During this period, he was granted leaves of absence for many short-term consulting opportunities with the World Bank and other international agencies on water and pollution control project studies and feasibility evaluations in more than 20 countries.

Seidel was active in professional organizations, serving as President of Iowa Section-American Society of Civil Engineers, Chair of Iowa Section-American Water Works Association, and national President of the Water Environment Federation.

He was a co-founder in 1972 of the national Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) for water and wastewater utility personnel. He was the Association’s first President, then served as its executive for eight years.

Seidel has authored more than 30 published papers on water rates, water metering, wastewater treatment, and operator training and certification.