Treatment FAQ

what do water treatment operators do

by Joan Monahan Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Rank Company Zippia Score Average Water Treatment Operator Salary
3 3. City of Aurora, IL 3.6 $49,791
4 4. City of Tulsa 3.6 $48,945
5 5. Freeport-McMoRan 4.6 $48,540
6 6. Memphis Light, Gas & Water 4.6 $48,328
Apr 8 2022

Water treatment plant and system operators run the equipment, control the processes, and monitor the plants that treat water to make it safe to drink. Wastewater treatment plant and system operators remove pollutants from domestic and industrial waste.Sep 8, 2021

Full Answer

How to get a job as a water operator?

Oct 02, 2020 · Operate heavy equipment to move, turn and load material for the Torrefier. Maintain comprehensive knowledge and practice of internal compliance and safety procedures as well as USDA, FDA, OSHA... Water Treatment Plant Trainee - 6 months Perform all aspects of sampling, monitoring, and testing on ...

How to become a water plant operator?

A water treatment plant operator works with a team of other operators to oversee the treatment of wastewater and production of drinking water at a treatment plant. As a water treatment plant operator, your responsibilities include monitoring the treatment system to ensure that plant processes are working as expected.

How to become a certified water or wastewater operator?

A water treatment operator has the duties of cleaning and maintaining equipment, filter beds, tanks, and other work areas. They must follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and ensure safety standards are met. Since water plants are open 24-7, these worker’s schedules vary.

What does a water treatment plant operator do?

6 rows · Aug 18, 2021 · Average Salary for a Water Treatment Operator. Water Treatment Operators in America make ...

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What happens at a water treatment works?

As sewage enters a plant for treatment, it flows through a screen, which removes large floating objects such as rags and sticks that might clog pipes or damage equipment. After sewage has been screened, it passes into a grit chamber, where cinders, sand, and small stones settle to the bottom.

What is the primary responsibility of water treatment plant operators?

Water Plant Operators are responsible for managing and monitoring the processes of a water treatment plant. Their duties include operating treatment plants and apparatus, cleaning screens and filters, adding chemicals, monitoring gas and water levels, taking reading as well as inspecting wastewater and water samples.

What do you do at a water treatment plant?

A waste water treatment plant cleans sewage and water so that they can be returned to the environment. These plants remove solids and pollutants, break down organic matter and restore the oxygen content of treated water.Apr 24, 2017

What does a water treatment manager do?

1. Plans, organizes, assigns, directs, and reviews the work of employees engaged in the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant and advanced water treatment facility, and reclaimed water distribution and disposal facilities. 2.Jun 20, 2012

What is the water treatment system?

Public drinking water systems use different water treatment methods to provide safe drinking water for their communities. Public water systems often use a series of water treatment steps that include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.

Is water technology a good career?

Great Pay! Luckily for you, a career in Water Treatment or Distribution can offer you this type of financial freedom. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the 2010 median pay for a Water Treatment Plant Operator was $40,770 which works out to about $19.60 per hour.Mar 19, 2019

What are the 5 stages of water treatment?

The 5 major unit processes include chemical coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection (described below). There are chemicals added to the water as it enters the various treatment processes.

What are the 3 stages of wastewater treatment?

There are three main stages of the wastewater treatment process, aptly known as primary, secondary and tertiary water treatment.Dec 6, 2018

What are the steps of the water treatment process?

They typically consist of several steps in the treatment process. These include: (1) Collection ; (2) Screening and Straining ; (3) Chemical Addition ; (4) Coagulation and Flocculation ; (5) Sedimentation and Clarification ; (6) Filtration ; (7) Disinfection ; (8) Storage ; (9) and finally Distribution.

What is water treatment operator?

A water treatment operator manages a system of machines to transfer or treat water or wastewater. They monitor meters, operating conditions, and gauges through the use of control boards. They also document and track data from the gauge and meter readings. They work for local governments on a full-time basis.

What do water operators do?

Most operators work for local governments, while some work for utilities. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in conditions that are at times noisy and odorous. Slippery walkways, dangerous gases, and the potential of equipment to malfunction present significant hazards. They must prepare for emergencies ...

What is wastewater treatment?

Wastewater treatment plant and system operators run systems that remove pollutants from domestic and industrial waste from sewer pipe to treatment plants until it is returned to streams and oceans or is used for irrigation. Most operators work for local governments, while some work for utilities.

What are the duties of a plant operator?

However, they typically have the job of adding chemicals to disinfect water or other liquids. They must regularly inspect equipment and monitor operating conditions, gauges, and meters. They collect and test sewage and water samples in addition to them keeping ...

Why do people rely on clean water?

People rely on ample supplies of clean water for survival , and on the proper treatment of wastewater to keep cities healthy and water sources unpolluted. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage the vital systems that treat water and wastewater.

Can water treatment plant operators work during the week?

Some work weekends, nights, and holidays whereas others may only work during the week. This occupation can be physically demanding and conditions can be dangerous at times. Water treatment plant operators work both indoors and outdoors.

Do you need a license to operate a water treatment plant?

Larger treatment plants typically combine formal classroom or self-paced study programs with on-the-job training. Water treatment operators require a license in the state they reside in. These licenses have different levels indicating one’s level of training and experience.

How much does a water treatment operator make?

Water Treatment Operators in America make an average salary of $41,243 per year or $20 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $57,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $29,000 per year.

What are the best states to work in water treatment?

The best states for people in this position are Washington, California, Idaho, and Kansas. Water treatment operators make the most in Washington with an average salary of $72,658. Whereas in California and Idaho, they would average $71,350 and $59,746, respectively. While water treatment operators would only make an average of $57,427 in Kansas, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.

How to become a certified operator?

Requirements for operator certification are specified by the state. Each state has the authority to develop their own requirements for operator certification. The guidelines required that states must require the following for an operator to become certified: 1 Take and pass an exam that demonstrates that the operator has the necessary skills, knowledge, ability, and judgement as appropriate for the classification. 2 Have a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma (GED). States may allow experience and/or relevant training to be substituted for a high school diploma or GED. 3 Have the defined minimum amount of on-the-job experience for each appropriate level of certification. The amount of experience required increases with each classification level. Post high school education may be substituted for experience. Credit may be given for experience in a related field (e.g., wastewater). 4 The state must establish training requirements for renewal based on the level of certification held by the operator. States must require all operators including grandparented operators to acquire necessary amounts and types of state approved training. States may determine other requirements as deemed necessary. States must have a fixed cycle of renewal not to exceed three years.

What are the requirements for operator certification?

Education and Training. Requirements for operator certification are specified by the state. Each state has the authority to develop their own requirements for operator certification. The guidelines required that states must require the following for an operator to become certified: Take and pass an exam that demonstrates ...

Water Treatment Plant Operator: Is it a good career?

A career as a water treatment plant operator is meaningful, engaging, and very rewarding. Water treatment plant operators play an important role in society. They are on the frontlines of protecting public health by ensuring that the water that is delivered to their customers is safe and wholesome.

What does a water treatment plant operator do?

As the job title says, they spend their time operating water treatment plants to produce drinking water! This means they may be physically operating different water treatment processes of the plant by turning valves to control the flow of water.

Where do water treatment operators work?

Water treatment operators often work for local public governments. This includes both big cities and small towns. Many other operators are employed by other public or private utilities that provide drinking water and wastewater services.

How much do water treatment operators get paid?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the median water operator salary in 2018 was $46,780. The average starting salary for a new operator with no experience was around $28,300, while the average for a very experienced operator was $76,200.

What is the difference between water operator treatment grades?

The different water operator treatment grades may be confusing when you are first learning about the career. Each state has slightly different ways that they breakdown the different operator grades. Most states have somewhere from four to five different grades.

What is required to become a certified water treatment operator?

As discussed above, there are anywhere from four to five different water treatment operator classifications, depending on your state. Water treatment operator I certification is the easiest to obtain and has the least amount of prerequisites.

How to find a job as a water treatment operator?

A google search with “water operator jobs” followed by your city or state should reveal a number of possibilities. There are services that aggregate verified water job postings, such as BC Water Jobs (which is nationwide) or California Water Jobs . Your state may have similar type of websites.

What is wastewater treatment operator?

A Wastewater Treatment Operator maintains a variety of plant equipment in connection with the operation of a large wastewater treatment plants, directs lower level operators and performs related work as required.

What are the duties of a wastewater operator?

Senior wastewater treatment operators have a depth of experience and management skill that illustrate a ‘leader' mentality and skillset. In addition to the standard role, wastewater treatment managers may be required to perform the following as part of the scope of senior duties: 1 Evaluate and troubleshoot operations at various water and wastewater sites 2 Identify risks and opportunities for efficiencies and improvement 3 Support existing contract operations sites, including evaluations and troubleshooting 4 Implement new technical solutions or best operating practices 5 Periodic auditing of overseer and/or supervisor roles at contract operations sites 6 Develop and implement processes to meet customer needs. 7 Implement best operating practices 8 Train operations staff on new and innovative operational approaches 9 Support business development activities 10 Conduct due diligence checks amongst human resource and mechanical processes 11 Prepare operational plans and strategies 12 Develop operational budgets 13 Writing operational and/or technical sections for proposals and manuals 14 Managing transitions for new contract operations sites

What are the skills required to be a wastewater operator?

Wastewater treatment operator roles do vary from organization to organization, but most will have the following tasks as part of their scope: Strong mathematical, mechanical and science skills. Ability to engage in logical processes for troubleshooting. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

What is the American Water Works Association?

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is the largest association dedicated to managing and treating water. The AWWA provides education to water professionals, advocates for safe and sustainable water, collects and shares journals and scientific reports and creates volunteering opportunities.

What is the DWOCP?

The DWOCP was originally under the Department of Health Services and then the California Department of Public Health. In 2014, the DWOCP was transferred to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in the Division of Financial Assistance. The DWOCP is responsible for the testing and certification of approximately 35,000 water treatment ...

When did the USEPA start certifying water systems?

In 1998, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) established guidelines for the certification and re-certification of operators of community and non-transient non-community public water systems. On January 1, 2001, new state regulations were adopted to comply with these guidelines and the existing water treatment operator ...

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