A water plant operator monitors and adjusts the equipment, machines, and gauges in a water plant to ensure that standards and guidelines are followed. He could work in a large plant alongside other operators or in a smaller plant as the sole operator. This job is usually associated with a town’s or city’s public works or municipal maintenance department, but it could also be with a private company.
A water plant operator’s primary responsibility is to monitor and record the performance of computerized equipment that purifies, regulates, and analyzes a region’s water supply. Generators, valves, meters, control panels, and pumps are among the items for which he is responsible. A water plant operator typically conducts hourly or semi-hourly physical inspections of the plant walking around it and observing the performance of each piece of equipment. He usually writes down the data hand or with a handheld computerized device.
Some water plant operators work in facilities that only handle purified water. Others may work in plants that remove impurities from commercial and industrial wastewater, such as toxic chemicals, solid waste, and harmful bacteria, and then store and distribute the clean water throughout the community. Several plants treat the wastewater before returning it to local streams, rivers, and oceans.
Sampling is another common task assigned to a wastewater operator. This usually entails him taking samples at random from various tanks and testing them in an on-site laboratory for compliance with health and safety regulations. If the operator’s testing uncovers serious issues, he usually reports them to his superior for further investigation.
A water plant operator may be required to visit water sources in his geographic area on occasion in addition to his monitoring and maintenance duties at the plant. He is frequently required to investigate anomalies or check off-site gauges or equipment at these remote locations. He’s also been trained to deal with power outages or natural disasters that could disrupt the water plant’s operations.
To be successful in this position, you must have a high level of attention to detail. A common requirement for success as a water treatment operator is adherence to policies and procedures. The ability to interpret data from gauges and monitors is a typical requirement for this position.
To be considered for a job as a water plant operator, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. A formal education in chemistry, math, computer science, or biology is generally preferred. Some jobs in this category require a regulatory agency’s certificate or license.