Wastewater treatment operator
Also known as: drinking water treatment system operator, drinking water treatment system worker, waystewater safety tester, waystewater quality operative, drinking water treatment system operative, waystewater treatment plant operative
About this occupation
Wastewater treatment operators operate equipment used in a water or wastewater plant. They treat and clean drinking water before it is distributed to the consumer and process wastewater to remove harmful substances before returning it to rivers and seas. They take samples and perform tests to analyse the water quality.
Essential skills and knowledge
- interpret scientific data to assess water quality
- perform water chemistry analysis
- carry out waste water treatment
- dispose of sewage sludge
- perform water treatment procedures
- monitor water quality
- document analysis results
- measure water quality parameters
- perform water treatments
- use water disinfection equipment
- maintain water treatment equipment
- water chemistry analysis
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (O*NET 51-8031.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
- Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Active Listening, Speaking, Equipment Maintenance
US median pay: US$60,020 a year (2025), 128,490 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).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (3.6)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.5)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.4)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.4)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.4)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.2)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.2)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.1)
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 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job 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.
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- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
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- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
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.