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
- Record meter and gauge readings, and operational data
- Operate equipment to purify and clarify water, or to process or dispose of sewage
How to get a job as a water operator?
- Work in varied weather conditions;
- Exposure to high noise levels, fumes or particles, risk of electrical shock;
- Potential exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals used in water treatment;
- Perform work indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions;
- On call for emergencies including nights and weekends are expected;
How to become a water plant operator?
- Regulatory authority and policy for operator certification
- Wastewater Treatment Plant oversight
- Certification requirements
- Treatment Plant scoring
How to become a certified water or wastewater operator?
- Strong mathematical, mechanical and science skills
- Ability to engage in logical processes for troubleshooting
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Maintain treatment systems (piping, pumps, valves and tanks).
- Prepare chemical treatments for plant and effluent systems.
- Operate instrumentation for treatment systems and meters
What does a water treatment plant operator do?
treatment plants and the people to operate the plants. WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATORS WWTP operators are the individuals responsible for operating the equipment that is used to clean and improve the quality of wastewater. Current state law requires these professionals be certified as a WWTP operator by the State of California.
Is water treatment 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.
What is do in water treatment?
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is added to the aeration basin to enhance the oxidation process by providing oxygen to aerobic microorganisms so they can successfully turn organic wastes into inorganic byproducts.
What skills do water treatment specialists need for their job?
List Of Skills To Add To Your Water Treatment Specialist ResumeHazardous Conditions.Environmental Health.Waste Water.Basic Training.Food Products.Water Treatment Equipment.Water Quality.Setup.More items...•
What does a water treatment manager do?
A water treatment plant manager is responsible for the overall operations within a water treatment facility. Duties typically include worker supervision, enforcing plant procedures and policies, conducting performance reviews, and overseeing training programs.
What are the 5 stages of water treatment?
Public water systems often use a series of water treatment steps that include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.
What are the 4 steps of water treatment?
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. Let's examine these steps in more detail.
How long is water treatment AIT?
Job training for a water treatment specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 13 weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field, including practice in testing different products.
How long is AIT for water treatment specialist?
14 weeksTraining for Water Treatment Specialists To prepare for an Army career as a water treatment specialist, you'll take the usual ten weeks of Basic Combat Training (otherwise known as boot camp) and 14 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) with on-the-job instruction.
What are some advantages to being a wastewater 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.
How do you get into water treatment?
Water treatment plant operators need a high school diploma or equivalent to become operators. Employers may prefer applicants who have completed a certificate or an associate's degree program in water quality management or wastewater treatment technology, because the education minimizes the training a worker will need.
What state pays wastewater operators the most?
Our research put California at no. 1 on the list of best paying states for Wastewater Plant Operators.
What is meant by wastewater management?
DWM is defined as the collection, treatment, and reuse of wastewater at or near the point of waste generation (Crites and Tchobanoglous, 1998).
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.
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 Does a Water Treatment Plant Operator Do?
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 Water Treatment Plant Operator
To become a water treatment plant operator, you need a high school diploma or GED certificate. Though some jobs require an associate degree, many employers provide on the job training. In addition to formal education and training, you may need to obtain proper licensure, depending on both your state and specific responsibilities.
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 are the duties of a water treatment plant?
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically do the following: Add chemicals, such as ammonia or chlorine, to disinfect water or other liquids.
How to become a water treatment plant operator?
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and a license to work. They also complete on-the-job training.
What education do you need to be a wastewater treatment plant operator?
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and a license to work. They also complete on-the-job training. Education. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to become operators.
How much will the water and wastewater industry decline in 2029?
Employment of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is projected to decline 4 percent from 2019 to 2029. As water and wastewater treatment plants become more advanced due to automation, fewer workers may be needed.
Where does wastewater go?
Used water, also known as wastewater, travels through sewer pipes to treatment plants where it is treated and either returned to streams, rivers, and oceans, or used for irrigation. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators often perform physically demanding tasks.
What is the job of a sewage disposal technician?
Operate equipment to purify and clarify water or to process or dispose of sewage. Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, filter beds, and other work areas. Follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
Do wastewater plants need workers?
As water and wastewater treatment plants become more advanced with automated systems to manage treatment processes, fewer workers may be needed. Although some work can be automated, plants will still need skilled workers to operate increasingly complex controls and water and wastewater systems. Job Prospects.
