ob profiles

Water treatment worker

Hours
37 per week

Starting salary
14,500 + per year

Water treatment workers operate the systems in a wastewater plant that clean up water and
dispose of sewage, chemicals and other liquid waste.
To do this job you need to be able to follow instructions and be physically fit. If you want a
practical job, and you understand the importance of health and safety, there may be opportunities
for you in this field.
You dont need any specific qualifications for this role, but you may find it useful to have GCSEs
or equivalent. Previous experience or qualifications in building site or plant maintenance work
may also help you to find work. You may also be able to start through an apprenticeship scheme.

Work activities
As a technician or operative in a water or sewage treatment plant, you would treat and clean the
drinking water that is piped to homes and businesses, process wastewater and dispose of sewage.

Your day-to-day duties would vary according to the size and type of treatment plant, but on a
daily basis you might:

operate manual and computerised equipment such as sludge processing and pumping
stations

clean and maintain septic tanks and filters

add chemicals and microbes to treat the water

monitor water and gas levels

take readings and keep accurate records

check the condition of plant equipment

carry out minor repairs to equipment, or report major faults to engineers

follow strict safety procedures at all times.

In some jobs you may be known as a process controller or operator, water quality technician or
treatment operator.

Working hours and conditions

Water treatment workers usually work 37 hours a week. You will often work on a shift pattern
including nights and weekends. Overtime may be available.
You may work in a control room, or in water treatment areas which can be indoors or outside.
The job can be physically demanding and may involve working at heights or in confined spaces.
Conditions may be wet and dirty, and you will need to be able to cope with strong smells. You
will be provided with protective clothing and equipment.

Income
Starting out in this role you will usually earn 14,500 to 18,000 a year.
Once you are qualified, this can rise to around 25,000 a year.
As an experienced technician or team leader, you can earn between 25,000 to 32,000 a year.

You may be able to increase your salary with overtime and shift allowances. Figures are intended
as a guideline only.

Entry requirements
You do not need any specific qualifications to become a water treatment worker, but you may
find it useful when looking for work to have GCSEs or equivalent. Previous experience or
qualifications in building site or plant maintenance work might also help.
Some employers may ask you to take a medical before you start a job with them.
You may be able to do a water industry apprenticeship which could give you a good background
to the role.
The range of apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the
types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about apprenticeships visit
GOV.UK (Apprenticeships).

GOV.UK (Apprenticeships)

If you are not joining the industry through an Apprenticeship, you will find it useful to have
previous experience or qualifications in building site or plant maintenance work.
Some employers may ask you to take a medical before you start work.

Training and development

Your training will normally be a mixture of learning on the job from experienced staff, and some
formal courses at a training centre. You may work towards one of the following qualifications:

Level 2 Diploma in Operating Process Plant (Water, Waste Water or Sludge)

Level 2 Diploma in Water Engineering.

Employers will often want you to be registered in an appropriate safety passport scheme, such as
one of the water industry safety schemes supported by the Energy & Utilities Skills Register
(EUSR). See the EUSR website for more information.

Energy & Utilities Skills Register

Scheme Directory

Skills, interests and qualities

To be a water treatment worker you need:

good practical skills

physical fitness

good observational skills and attention to detail

willingness to work outside in all weather conditions

the ability to cope with unpleasant smells and substances

the ability to follow detailed instructions

awareness of health and safety.

More information
Energy & Utility Skills
Tel: 0845 077 9922
www.euskills.co.uk
Water UK
www.water.org.uk

Opportunities
You will find opportunities with one of the regional water and sewage operators around the UK.
You might also work for one of the water supply companies.
With experience, you could progress to team leader and into management. With further training
and study, you could become an engineering technician or an incorporated water engineer.
Jobs may be advertised in the local press, Jobcentre Plus, and on employers' websites. You may
also find the following links useful:

Water UK

(list of companies)

Future Water Association

Just Utilities.net

Utility Job Search

Job market information

This section gives you an overview of the job area that this profile belongs to. You can use it to
work out your next career move. It can help if youre looking for a job now or want to do some
further training.
The 'Market statistics' charts are based on figures from the UK Commission for Employment and
Skills (UKCES) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The list of job vacancies under 'Apply for jobs' is from the Universal Jobmatch database. The
vacancies are not from the National Careers Service.

Market statistics

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Median income: Manufacturing

UK
Sector
21381
27017
This chart shows the median, or middle, annual income figure for full-time workers in this sector
compared to the national median figure for all sectors.
Gender: Manufacturing
Female
Male
83%
17%
This chart shows the proportion of men and women working in this sector.

Working pattern: Manufacturing

Part-time
Full-time
Self-employed
7%
83%
10%
This chart gives a breakdown of how people are employed in this sector.
Gaps in sector due to skills shortages: Manufacturing
This sector
All vacancies
23%
22%
This chart shows the proportion of vacancies in this sector that employers said are due to skills
shortages. This compares with the overall figure across all sectors.
Employment forecast: Manufacturing
Year
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Predicted nos. employed
500000
515000
530000
545000
560000
575000
590000
605000
This graph shows the predicted numbers of people that will be working in this sector between
now and 2020.
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courses.

drainage (wastewater) engineering

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water engineering

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