Level of education that water treatment plant operators have
| Education | % of water treatment plant operators |
| No education | 3% |
| High school diploma | 50% |
| Certificate or associate degree | 32% |
| Bachelor's degree | 15% |
How do I become a water treatment plant operator?
Water treatment plant operators need long-term on-the-job training to become fully qualified. Trainees usually start as attendants or operators-in-training and learn their skills on the job under the direction of an experienced operator.
What do you learn in a wastewater treatment plant training?
The trainees learn by observing and doing routine tasks, such as recording meter readings, taking samples of wastewater and sludge, and performing simple maintenance and repair work on plant equipment. They also learn about industrial safety and how to use personal protective equipment.
What skills do you need to work in a water treatment plant?
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators must have the ability to apply data to formulas that determine treatment requirements, flow levels, and concentration levels. Mechanical skills. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators must know how to work with machines and use tools.
What are the working hours of a water treatment plant?
Work Schedules. Water and waste treatment plant and system operators typically work full time. Plants operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In small plants, operators are likely to work during the day and be on call nights and weekends.
How do I start a career in water treatment?
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators need long-term on-the-job training to become fully qualified. 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 skills do water treatment specialist 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 is the primary responsibility of water treatment plant operators?
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
How do you write a resume for a water treatment plant?
RO Water Plant Operator Resume ExampleGreat mechanical aptitude. ... Dependable and punctual. ... Excellent computer skills. ... Detail oriented. ... Proficient in operating Ovation Distributed Control Systems. ... Great teamwork and communication skills. ... Skilled in bioreactor operations. ... Outstanding customer service skills.More items...
What is RO plant operator?
Cleaning of water storage tanks. Operation and maintenance of underground water pump. Updating all the related documents for preventive maintenance of Water system. Sanitization of R.O. unit and distribution loop as per planned schedule. Membrane flushing as and when required.
Why do we need to study water quality management?
Water-quality monitoring is used to alert us to current, ongoing, and emerging problems; to determine com- pliance with drinking water standards, and to protect other bene cial uses of water.
What are some downfalls of a wastewater treatment plant?
Disadvantages of a sewage treatment plantRoutine pumping out. ... Smelly. ... Bacteria. ... Space. ... Installation costs. ... Power. ... Sporadic use. ... Treated water absorption.More items...
What are the disadvantages of water treatment?
DisadvantagesCleaning is a hassle.Most plants need at least three tanks.Temperature changes affect the tank greatly.
What skills do water engineers need?
Key skills for water engineers are:Excellent analytical skills.Team-working skills.Problem solving skills.Good time management.IT skills.Communication skills.
How much does a water treatment specialist make in the Army?
Average U.S. Army Water Treatment Specialist yearly pay in the United States is approximately $60,069, which meets the national average. Salary information comes from 2,087 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.
What does an Army water treatment specialist do?
MOS Description. The water treatment specialist supervises or performs installation, operation of water purification equipment, water storage and distribution operations and activities. For more information on MOS 92W , see this Army website.
How long is 1171 MOS?
13 weeksRecruits will attend Recruit Training for 13 weeks at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island or Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
What education do you need to be a water treatment plant operator?
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.
How many levels of license do you need for a water treatment plant?
Requirements and standards vary widely depending on the region. Licenses typically have four levels, which depend on the operator's experience and training.
Is becoming a water treatment plant operator right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
Water Plant Operator Education Requirements And Degrees
The education needed to be a Water Plant Operator is normally a Bachelor's Degree. Water Plant Operators usually study Business, Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians or General Studies. 33% of Water Plant Operators hold a Bachelor's Degree and 29% hold a Associate Degree.
Check Jobs That Match To Your Education
Here are the most common colleges for a Water Plant Operator career in the US based on their resumes. Advocates often get their degree in University of Iowa, University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus, and Pennsylvania State University .
10 Best Universities For Water Plant Operators
In a lot of cases, a higher education can mean a higher salary or even a better job. That's why we found out the best colleges for Water Plant Operators. We based this list on these metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of students working, ratio of working vs.
20 Best Online Courses for Water Plant Operators
Sometimes things are just better when you get to stay in your pajamas all day. That includes school. We found top courses for Water Plant Operators from Udemy, Coursera, EDX, and ed2go that will help you advance in your career. Here are essential skills you need to be a Water Plant Operator:
Best Water Plant Operator Certifications in 2022
ABC offers certification to operators in water treatment, distribution, very small water systems, wastewater treatment, collection, and industrial waste.
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 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 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.
Why do operators need to work during emergencies?
Emergencies also may be caused by malfunctions within a plant, such as chemical leaks or oxygen deficiencies.
Why do water treatment plants have to be careful?
They must pay close attention to safety procedures because of hazardous conditions, such as slippery walkways, the presence of dangerous gases, and malfunctioning equipment.
Why do water treatment plants have to manually operate?
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators must be able to manually operate the equipment if there is a plant malfunction due to power outages or electrical issues.
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.
How many degrees do you need to be a water plant operator?
If you're interested in becoming a water plant operator, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 32.9% of water plant operators have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 3.8% of water plant operators have master's degrees. Even though some water plant operators have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
What skills do water plant operators need?
We discovered that a lot of resumes listed analytical skills, detail oriented and math skills.
How much does a water plant operator make?
Water Plant Operators in America make an average salary of $42,975 per year or $21 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $57,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $32,000 per year.
What are the best states to work in water?
The best states for people in this position are California, Washington, Idaho, and Colorado. Water plant operators make the most in California with an average salary of $74,686. Whereas in Washington and Idaho, they would average $66,372 and $57,864, respectively. While water plant operators would only make an average of $54,353 in Colorado, 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.
Does water treatment improve drinking water quality?
It is well known that water treatment at the household level can lead to dramatic improvements in drinking water quality. But does Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS) also have global relevance? What are the potential treatment solutions and how do they function? Is there a standard strategy for successful HWTS implementation, or can we identify key components which make programs more likely to succeed? In this course you will learn about the most important water treatment methods...
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 are expected to work under broad direction toward the achievement of the overall objectives of the plant. A Wastewater Treatment Operator conducts routine checks, collects samples and conducts laboratory tests in order to operate and make necessary changes to the process. Wastewater Treatment Operators are also required to identify maintenance requirements within the treatment plant to ensure operational components are kept in good working order.
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 Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Wastewater Treatment Operators Have?
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. To be part of AWWA an annual membership fee is 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 is wastewater treatment?
Wastewater is water that has previously been used and may contain oils, chemicals, food, or sewage. Wastewater treatment facilities collect contaminated water in a central location to prevent massive pollution in rivers, lakes and the environment. A Wastewater Treatment Operator in such a facility may be responsible for replacing ...
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 many members does the Water Environment Federation have?
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world.
How much does a wastewater operator make?
In general, jobs within the water industry remain relatively less affected by changes in the economy than other industries. Additionally, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains that in 2018 the average salary for water and wastewater treatment plant operators was $46,780 USD per year.
What degree do utilities need?
Some positions may require a high school diploma, while others demand a stronger math and chemistry background, or an Associate’s or Undergraduate degree.
What is the AWWA Operator Scholarship?
American Water Works Association and the 43 sections across North America have come together to create the One AWWA Operator Scholarship to support continuing education within the water industry. AWWA’s Water Equation matches funds raised at the section level to provide books, tuition, training, education and certification to operators at water and wastewater treatment plants.
How is the One Awwa Operator Scholarship funded?
The One AWWA Operator Scholarship is funded through a matching fund from AWWA’s The Water Equation Campaign and participating Sections. Contact your Section on how to apply or receive more information on this new operator scholarship.
What is HTO course?
Review information management technologies, both server-based and Web-hosted. Participants will discuss and compare management systems, as well as applications available for collecting and managing performance data and methods available for securing and storing online information. HTO courses can be taken in any order.
How many hours of training is on WSO?
The WSO Channel includes 60+ full length videos covering 20 hours of certification and training content for operators. Strengthen the practices and procedures of your operator employees.
What is the job of an operator?
Operators can work in various areas, such as water, wastewater, distribution and reuse. These operators maintain equipment and processes to monitor and affect water as it moves through the treatment and distribution cycles.
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 ...
What is the American Water Works Association?
In addition, the American Water Works Association has developed minimum voluntary standards in regards to requirements, equipment, materials, and practices used in the water treatment supply field. AWWA addresses all facets of water treatment and delivery methods. They offer annual conferences, webinars, online courses, training videos, and a variety of resources. All of which can be valuable information for those entering the field or advancing one’s knowledge once becoming a Water Treatment Plant Systems Operator.
Can water treatment plants be open 24 hours a day?
Since water plants are open 24-7, these worker’s schedules vary. 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.
