Water engineering technician
Also known as: water supply systems engineering technician, water treatment engineering technician, water pipelines engineering technician, flood prevention engineering technician, water pipeline systems engineering technician, water treatment systems engineering technician
About this occupation
Water systems engineering technicians aid engineers in the development and implementation of water supply and water treatment systems. They monitor the operations to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, check water quality and ensure implementation of water-related legislation.
A specialisation of civil engineering technician.
Essential skills and knowledge
- hydraulics
- ensure regulatory compliance in pipeline infrastructures
- types of pipelines
- perform water testing procedures
- use personal protection equipment
- measure water quality parameters
- ensure compliance with environmental legislation
- monitor water quality
- water policies
- perform follow-up on pipeline route services
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Water/Wastewater Engineers (O*NET 17-2051.02). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.
- Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.
- Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems, aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings.
- Evaluate the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater systems to identify ways to improve their efficiency.
- Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards.
- Design pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for the collection of wastewater.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Listening, Mathematics
US median pay: US$100,840 a year (2025), 367,840 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyExtremely important (4.6)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.2)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.2)
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (3.8)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.6)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (3.5)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (3.5)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Water Resource Specialists
- Environmental Engineers
- Civil Engineers
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Chemical Engineers
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Transportation Engineers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.