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Water treatment worker
Hours
37 per week
Starting salary
£12,000 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
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, or you would process wastewater and dispose of sewage.
Your day-to-day duties would vary according to the size and type of treatment plant, but would usually include:
- operating manual and computerised equipment such as sludge processing and pumping stations
- cleaning and maintaining septic tanks and filters
- adding chemicals and microbes to treat the water
- monitoring water and gas levels
- taking readings and keeping accurate records
- checking the condition of plant equipment
- carrying out minor repairs to equipment, or reporting major faults to engineers
- following 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.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually work 37 hours a week, often as part of a shift pattern including nights and weekends. Overtime may be available.
You may work in a control room, or in water treatment areas which could be indoors or outside. The job can be physically demanding and may involve working at heights or in confined spaces.
Conditions may be wet, dirty and smelly, although you would be provided with protective clothing and equipment.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Apprentices usually earn around £12,000 a year
- When qualified, this can rise to between £18,000 and £25,000
- Experienced technicians 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 a water or wastewater treatment plant, although you should check entry requirements with individual employers.
However, 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. Applicant 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 building site or plant maintenance work.
Some employers may ask you to take a medical before you start work.
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:
- NVQ Level 2 in Operating Process Plant (Water, Waste Water or Sludge)
- Level 2 Certificate or Diploma for Water Sector Competent Operator (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.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
- 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
- willingness to work unsocial hours
- the ability to follow detailed instructions
- awareness of health and safety.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Energy & Utility Skills 
Friars Gate
1011 Stratford Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 4BN
Tel: 0845 077 9922
www.euskills.co.uk
Society of British Water and Wastewater Industries (SBWWI)
38 Holly Walk
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV32 4LY
Tel: 01926 831530
www.sbwwi.co.uk
Water UK
1 Queen Anne's Gate
London
SW1H 9BT
www.water.org.uk
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You would be employed by one of the 12 regional water and sewerage operators, or one of the further 17 water supply-only companies around the UK.
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 (open in new windows):
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.
Career paths
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