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Wolman (June 10, 1892 – February 22, 1989) was an American inventor, scientist, professor and pioneer of modern sanitary engineering. His work in supplying clean water spanned eight decades.
Wolman graduated from the Baltimore City College in 1909, got a B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University in 1913 and then a B.S. in engineering from Hopkins in 1915. From 1914 to 1939, Wolman worked for the Maryland State Department of Health, serving as Chief Engineer from 1922 to 1939. It was during his early years there that he made his most important contribution. Working in cooperation with chemist Linn Enslow, he standardized the methods used to chlorinate Baltimore's drinking-water supply. His efforts there helped develop the plan for Baltimore's water supply so thoroughly and effectively that it remains well-provided for growth through the 21st century. His work also benefited water systems in New York, Detroit and Columbus, Ohio. A collection of his writings has been published: Water, Health and Society, Selected Papers.
Wolman taught for many years on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University, where he established the Department of Sanitary Engineering in 1937. He served as the department's chairman until his official retirement in 1962. In May, 1966 the university named a newly-acquired dormitory Wolman Hall in his honor.
Wolman's son, M. Gordon "Reds" Wolman, was an eminent geomorphologist who was also on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University. M. Gordon Wolman was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and an expert on water resources, public health, and geography. Reds was the founder and for 20 years the Chairman of the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University. He was also known for inventing a technique for evaluating grain-size distribution in riverbeds, known as the Wolman Pebble Count, which has helped geomorphologist to understand flooding, sedimentation, and other physical impacts to a stream.
In addition to the William Procter Prize, Wolman received the Lasker Public Service Award (1960), the National Medal of Science (1974), the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (1976) and the Robert E. Horton Medal (1986)