
A typical day for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator will also include:
- Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
How to become a water plant operator?
A wastewater operator works in a wastewater treatment plant running the equipment, monitoring the plant and maintaining the equipment. Wastewater operators are in charge of making sure the process of cleaning the waters is effective and they make sure that government guidelines are followed. Some operators oversee other plant employees.
What does a water treatment plant system operator do?
Operate, monitor and troubleshoot the water/wastewater treatment facility. Performed lab testing, machine maintenance, process control, and meter reading. Operated modern surface water/wastewater treatment plants. Perform all aspects of sampling, monitoring, and testing required maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
What are the different wastewater treatment plant jobs?
Water treatment plant operators typically do the following: Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect water or other liquids. Inspect equipment on a regular basis. Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges. Collect and test water and sewage samples.
What is a plant operator job?
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. Wastewater Treatment Operators are in charge of making sure the contamination in wastewater is breaking down effectively during the cleaning process.

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 are some pros of being a wastewater treatment plant operator?
There are many benefits to becoming a wastewater operator, which includes:Job security. ... Various work environments. ... It's a long-lasting career. ... The pay is good. ... It's a growing industry. ... Specialized training & certification. ... It's beneficial to the environment and the community.Apr 10, 2018
What is the function of a wastewater 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
How much does a wastewater treatment plant operator make in Canada?
The average salary for a wastewater operator is $28.20 per hour in Canada.
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
Why do you want to work in the water industry?
A career in the growing water industry presents an opportunity to earn money while protecting the environment and servicing their communities. The ability to provide clean, safe drinking water is a complex endeavor, and is getting more complex as time goes on.Sep 3, 2021
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 is the difference between water treatment and wastewater treatment?
Water Treatment Plants (WTP) generally are smaller operations than Wastewater Treatment Plants WWTP) because of the water quality coming in. WTPs pull water from a local river, lake or well. This water is generally clean (compared to sewage!) and just need a bit of cleaning and disinfection.
What are the 4 stages of wastewater treatment?
Treatment StepsStep 1: Screening and Pumping. ... Step 2: Grit Removal. ... Step 3: Primary Settling. ... Step 4: Aeration / Activated Sludge. ... Step 5: Secondary Settling. ... Step 8: Oxygen Uptake. ... Sludge Treatment.
What is the work environment for a wastewater operator?
Most operators work for governments, but others can work for utility companies. The work takes place both inside and outside and it can be physical...
What are some resources available to pursue certification for wastewater operator?
The American Water Works Association is an excellent resource with information about the steps to become certified, how to study for the exam and t...
How much do similar professions to Wastewater Operator get paid?
Check the below indeed career pages for the detailed pay ranges for the similar professions here: Mechanic Civil Engineer Maintenance Person Projec...
What Does A Wastewater Treatment Operator do?
Working as part of a dedicated team Wastewater Treatment Operators support the successful operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment pla...
Where Does A Wastewater Treatment Operator Work?
Wastewater Treatment Operators work mainly for government or developers and work within a treatment plant facility. Wastewater Treatment Operators...
What Is The Average Wastewater Treatment Operator Salary?
The median salary range for a Wastewater Treatment Operator is $42,760 USD per year or $20.56 per hour. Employment for Wastewater Treatment Operato...
Wastewater Treatment Jobs & Job Description
Wastewater treatment operators are critical to public health. Together with engineers, administrators and scientists, they work toward the manageme...
What Do Wastewater Treatment Operators Study?
Wastewater Treatment Operators must have a degree in Science or Engineering. Certification is also required typically through state agencies. These...
What Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Wastewater Treatment Operators have?
1. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is the largest association dedicated to managing and treating water. The AWWA provides education to...
What percentage of wastewater plant operators are proficient in plant equipment, routine maintenance, and lab tests?
We calculated that 16 % of Wastewater Plant Operators are proficient in Plant Equipment, Routine Maintenance, and Lab Tests. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Math skills.
What is an operator in manufacturing?
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
How to operate a water treatment plant?
Water treatment plant operators typically do the following: 1 Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect water or other liquids 2 Inspect equipment on a regular basis 3 Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges 4 Collect and test water and sewage samples 5 Record meter and gauge readings, and operational data 6 Operate equipment to purify and clarify water, or to process or dispose of sewage 7 Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, filter beds, and other work areas 8 Stay current on environmental laws and regulations 9 Ensure safety standards are met
Why do operators have to pay close attention to safety procedures?
They must pay close attention to safety procedures because of hazardous conditions, such as slippery walkways, dangerous gases, and malfunctioning equipment.
What do water treatment plants use?
Water treatment plant operators typically do the following: Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect water or other liquids. Inspect equipment on a regular basis. Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges. Collect and test water and sewage samples.
Where does used water go?
Used water, also known as wastewater, travels through sewage pipes to treatment plants where it is treated and either returned to streams, rivers, and oceans, or used for irrigation. Are you suited to be a water treatment plant operator? Water treatment plant operators have distinct personalities. They tend to be realistic individuals, which means ...
What is the role of a plant operator?
In a small plant, one operator may be responsible for maintaining all of the systems. In large plants, multiple operators work the same shifts and are more specialized in their duties, often relying on computerized systems to help them monitor plant processes. Occasionally, operators must work during emergencies.
What is wastewater operator?
Operators are trained in emergency management procedures and use safety equipment to protect their health, as well as that of the public. Wastewater treatment plant and system operators do similar work to remove pollutants from domestic and industrial waste. Used water, also known as wastewater, travels through sewage pipes to treatment plants ...
How many hours a day do plants operate?
As a result, workers experience an occupational injury and illness rate that is much higher than the average for all occupations. Plants operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In small plants, operators are likely to work during the day and be on call nights and weekends.
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 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.
How to be a wastewater treatment plant operator?
A typical day for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator will also include: 1 Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities. 2 Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards. 3 Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power. 4 Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids. 5 Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
What is WWTP in water?
WWTP Operators operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater. They also add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids. Other tasks include: Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test ...
What is the job of WWTP?
To some WWTP Operators, it is also their responsibility to Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
