Water Treatment Worker

Job Description:

Water quality technicians treat and process clean water and waste water.

Job Category:
Energy & Utilities

What you will do:

In your day-to-day tasks you may:

  • operate equipment to treat sewage
  • clean and maintain tanks and filters
  • add chemicals and microbes to treat water
  • take readings and keep accurate records
  • check drinking water samples for quality
  • ensure site security and safety

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
  • the ability to operate and control equipment

As well as:

  • the ability to analyse quality or performance
  • observation, recording and organisational skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work on your own
  • analytical thinking skills
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects in the UK include the Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Water Engineering with a choice of 4 pathways.

Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships relevant to this role, in the UK,  include:

  • Level 2 Water process operative
  • Level 3 Water treatment technician

Direct Application
You could apply directly to work as a water treatment worker. School English, maths and a science subject could be a requirement.

Experience of working in industrial plant maintenance may give you an advantage.

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work in a control room.

Your working environment may be dirty, physically demanding, cramped, at height and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could become a team leader. With further training, you could become an engineering technician or a water engineer.