As a water & sanitation engineer, Rupert worked on project programming for sanitation, water supplies, and construction projects. With a budget of U$ 1.4 million, he consecutively project managed 40 small rural and 2 large town projects near or in Tuzla town. He was also responsible for setting up a mobile slip form concrete team for villages. The locals provided the “sweat equity” and did the manual work, while SEA provide skilled inputs and building materials. He spent much time spent surveying, negotiating, and drawing up contracts. He had to survey spring lines, elevations and distances, at villages near front lines and together with locals, managed to conceal several new water tanks underground to help avoid future artillery fire.