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Water network operative
Hours
37 per week
Starting salary
£12,000 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
As a water network operative, you would look after the pipes, mains and pumping stations that supply homes and businesses with water and remove waste water and sewage.
In this job you would carry out planned maintenance work and also respond to emergencies such as burst pipes and major leaks. Your work could include:
- digging holes by hand or with mechanical digging equipment
- using maps and plans to trace where you need to dig
- laying and repairing mains and pipes
- using closed circuit TV to check for blockages in pipes and drains
- clearing blockages using various tools and equipment such as high pressure water jets
- installing water meters and hydrants
- maintaining vehicles and equipment
- recording details of jobs done and materials used
- following safety procedures at all times.
Depending on your employer, you may be known by other job titles such as distribution technician, leakage operative or network service technician.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would work around 37 hours a week, plus any overtime as necessary. You would usually work a rota with a mixture of day shifts and some unsocial hours, as work is often carried out at night or at the weekend to minimise disruption.
This is mainly an outdoor job, working in all weather. Conditions are often wet, dirty and smelly, so you would be provided with protective clothing and equipment. The work can involve bending, lifting and using heavy machinery.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Apprentices usually earn around £12,000 a year
- When qualified, this can rise to between £18,000 and £25,000
- Experienced workers and team leaders can earn around £25,000 to £32,000 a year.
Overtime and shift allowances can greatly increase salaries.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You don't always need qualifications to work in the water industry, although you will need a good standard of general education. You should check entry requirements with individual employersHowever, you will often get into this type of work through an Apprenticeship. The intermediate level Apprenticeship provides an ideal opportunity to train for this role. Employers recruiting on to the intermediate level apprenticeship would normally look for applicants holding 3 – 5 GCSEs including English, maths and a science subject although this is not always the case. Applicants with higher grades are more likely to be successful.
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, visit the Apprenticeships website.
If you are not joining the industry through an Apprenticeship, you will find it useful to have previous experience or qualifications in construction, plumbing, building services engineering or plant maintenance.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
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 will often also work towards one or more of the following qualifications:
- Level 1 Certificate in Network Construction Operations (Water)
- Level 2 Certificate / Diploma in Network Construction Operations (Water) (Mainlaying, Servicelaying or Repair and Maintenance)
- Level 3 Diploma in Network Construction Operations (Water)Level 2 Diploma in Distribution Control
- Level 3 Certificate in Maintain Water Supply (Network).
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.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
- good practical skills
- physical fitness
- willingness to work outside in all weather conditions
- the ability to cope with unpleasant smells and substances
- willingness to work unsocial hours
- the ability to follow detailed instructions
- awareness of health and safety
- a polite and professional manner with the public.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Energy & Utility Skills 
Friars Gate
1011 Stratford Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 4BN
Tel: 0845 077 9922
www.euskills.co.uk
Water UK
1 Queen Anne's Gate
London
SW1H 9BT
www.water.org.uk
Society of British Water and Wastewater Industries (SBWWI)
38 Holly Walk
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV32 4LY
Tel: 01926 831530
www.sbwwi.co.uk
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You could be employed by regional water companies, or contractors that carry out engineering work on behalf of the regional water companies.
With experience, you could progress to team leader and into senior management. With further training and study, you could become an engineering technician or incorporated water engineer.
Jobs may be advertised in the local press, Jobcentre Plus, and employers' own websites.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies (links open in a new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The water industry is part of the energy and utility sector, represented by Energy and Utility Sector Skills Council, which also includes: power; gas; and waste management. The UK energy and utility sector employs an estimated 536,200 people.
The water industry is made up of the regulated water utility companies, non‐regulated subsidiary water utility companies (e.g. involved in construction, engineering, consultancy, laboratory services, etc.) and the supply chain (e.g. contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, etc.). Together they are responsible for the supply of clean water to customers up to and including the internal stop valve on the customers’ property and the collection and treatment of waste water (collected through both public sewers and private drains).
Key facts:
- There are 166,500 people employed in the industry, which includes:
- 37,000 working in Water Companies and Utilities (Regulated)
- 15,000 in Support Services as Consultants
- 30,000 in Support Services as Contractors
- 30,000 in Support Services ‐ Plant/Equipment
- 6,000 Regulators
- 14,000 Others
- 28,000 in Water Utilities Owned (non‐Regulated)
- There are an estimated additional 6,500 people who are self‐employed and working in the industry.
- There are high concentrations of female workers in administrative and secretarial, sales and customer service roles.
- The industry employs relatively few 16‐24 year olds and a higher proportion of 35‐54 year olds.
- Around 3,000 new workers per year will be required by the industry between 2008 and 2017.
Jobs in the industry include: Plant Operative, Technician/Supervisor, Higher Technician and Management, Specialist Professional.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are around 18,500 people employed within the industry in the East Midlands in approximately 320 companies.
East of England – There are some 13,000 people employed within the industry in the East of England in approximately 210 companies.
London – There are around 15,000 people employed within the industry in London in approximately 120 companies.
North East – There are some 9,000 people employed within the industry in the region in approximately 70 companies.
North West – There are some 21,000 people employed within the industry in the North West in approximately 280 companies.
South East – There are some 16,000 people employed within the industry in the region in approximately 270 companies.
South West – There are some 12,000 people employed within the industry in the South West in approximately 300 companies.
West Midlands – There are around 21,500 people employed within the industry in the West Midlands in approximately 210 companies.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are some 13,500 people employed within the industry in the region in approximately 220 companies.
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