I’m Arif Anwar. I also go by Ochin. Since 2008, I have been walking the path of technical solutions for water & wastewater treatment in diverse industrial sectors. I am still learning every day.
I work mostly with Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP), Water Treatment Plants (WTP), and Recycling (RO) Systems, often in the context of Bangladesh’s textile, chemical & dyestuffs, food & beverage, tobacco, pharma, hospital, hardware & motors, and other industrial sectors. Along the way, I have had the chance to see how factories, rivers, and communities are connected — sometimes in harmony, sometimes in conflict. These experiences have shaped my interest in both the technical and human side of water.
What I Do
I spend a lot of time in the plants, with operators and plant staff, trying to solve practical problems. My role has allowed me to be part of projects with MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) technology, retrofitting older treatment plants, and exploring how industries can reuse water more sustainably. I also write and share what I have learned, because I believe knowledge only grows when it is exchanged.
Background
I studied Chemical Engineering at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). That gave me a foundation, but in truth, most of what I know has come from long hours at treatment plants, troubleshooting with colleagues, and watching how real systems behave outside of books.
From pilot plants to project delivery
I began with pilot testing, process design, and commissioning for industrial effluent treatment. Work in multinational energy operations taught me how field safety, training, and good reporting support reliable operations. Community water projects showed me what it takes to deliver drinking water in salinity-affected coastal areas.
With industrial water technology providers, I moved from field service and commissioning into leading project delivery in Bangladesh. Across more than 40 treatment and reuse projects, I’ve learned to pay particular attention to the handover: what operators need to know, what the plant can reliably deliver, and how the site team can verify that performance on its own.
Training and research
I’m interested in how operators and inspectors learn to assess plant performance. My work has included contributions to training on effluent treatment plant design, inspection, and performance evaluation. I’m pursuing an M.Sc. in Water and Environmental Management, with research interests in estuaries, fisheries, and water management in Bangladesh.
Why This Blog
I use this space to share field lessons, calculations, and questions I’m still working through. I hope the notes give engineers and treatment plant operators in Bangladesh something they can test or use on their next shift.
A Personal Note
If there is one thing these years have taught me, it is humility in front of water. No matter how many formulas we use or how advanced the technology, water always has the final say. Our task is to listen carefully, respect its science, and work with it rather than against it.
Contact
If you are curious to connect, I am always open:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/engrarifanwar
Facebook: facebook.com/ArifAnwarOchin