Career Profile Water Treatment Operator

Water Treatment Operator

Job Sector:

Environment and Utilities

Potential Salary (USD):

Low End: $37,870.00 /yr
Avg/Med: $58,260.00 /yr
High End: $86,160.00 /yr

Education Required:

  • Certificate or Bachelor’s Degree
  • Apprenticeship Training & Licence

Job Outlook:

The demand for water treatment operators remains steady in the United States and Canada. Market demand is driven by the expansion of infrastructure, upgrades, and expansions to support population growth in urban areas.

Career Profile Overview:

Water Treatment Operators manage and oversee the complex processes that purify water for public consumption. They operate and monitor specialized equipment, conduct tests on water samples, and make necessary adjustments to ensure the water meets stringent quality and safety standards. Their critical work safeguards public health by providing communities with clean, safe drinking water.

A person in a white hard hat and blue reflective jacket stands by a large outdoor water treatment tank, looking at a tablet.
A person in a white hard hat and yellow vest crouches by a body of water, holding a small vial.

Monitoring & Operating Systems:

  • Monitoring control systems, including chemical feed rates, disinfection systems, and filter functionality.

Testing Water Samples:

  • Collecting water samples at regular stages of the treatment process, testing for pH, turbidity, chlorine, and bacteria.

Analyzing Data:

  • Analyze trends in water treatment and optimize the treatment process from plant to plant.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting:

  • Conduct inspections and preventative maintenance on all parts of a water treatment plant.

Records & Safety:

  • Document water treatment activities, ensuring compliance with regulations and environmental policies.

Emergency Response:

  • Response to power failures, water quality, or equipment failures.

Educational Path:

  • High School: Courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics are beneficial.
  • Postsecondary: Certifications in environmental technology, engineering technology, and water resources are beneficial.

Certifications:

  • Drinking Water Certificate
  • Wastewater Licence

Entry-Level

  • Drinking Water Operator-in-Training: Water treatment and distribution of supply subsystems under supervision.
  • Wastewater Treatment Operator-in-Training: Wastewater treatment or collection facilities under supervision.
  • Limited System Operator: Monitoring small water systems like campgrounds under supervision.

Mid-Level

  • Water & Wastewater Operator: Operating and maintaining water quality plants.
  • Process & Compliance Technician: Testing water samples for drinking water quality and environmental regulations.

Senior-Level

  • Operations Supervisor: Supervision and training of water plants for safe operations at a water treatment facility.
  • Process & Compliance Supervisor: Following environmental compliance, health and safety requirements and water treatment processes within a region.
  • Mechanical Repair: Operating, repairing, and maintaining equipment.
  • Compliance & Reporting: Ensuring water meets quality standards.
  • Chemical Handling: Measure, mixing, and transporting treatment chemicals.
  • Problem Solving: Troubleshooting equipment, responding to emergencies, and process adjustments.
  • Analytical Skills: Comfort conducting tests and water inspections to evaluate results.
  • Detail Oriented: monitoring machinery, gauges, dials, and controls to ensure proper operation.

United States:

California State University, Sacramento (California)

  • Program: Water Treatment Specialist Certificate
  • Website: Water Programs

University of Florida TREEO (Florida)

Utah State University (Utah)

Canada:

Conestoga College (Ontario)

British Columbia Institute of Technology (British Columbia)

  • Program: Associate Certificate in the Fundamentals of Water and Wastewater Operations
  • Website: BCIT Programs

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Alberta)

  • Program: Certificate in Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations
  • Website: SAIT Programs
A woman wearing a yellow hard hat and safety glasses adjusts equipment in what appears to be an industrial setting.
An adult and a child, both wearing white hard hats and yellow coveralls, are looking at industrial equipment.
A person wearing a blue hard hat, safety glasses, and a lab coat adjusts controls on a panel in an industrial setting.

Resources and Further Reading: