Find Trade Colleges
What is a Water Treatment Plant and System Operator?
Occupation Description Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
Water Treatment Plant & System Operator Responsibilities
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.
- Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
- 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.
Featured schools near , edit
What a Water Treatment Plant & System Operator Should Know
These are the skills Water Treatment Plant and System Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Other Water Treatment Plant & System Operator Job Titles
- Wastewater Plant Operator
- Filtration Operator
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
- Water Supply Technician
- Water Purifier Operator
Are There Job Opportunities for Water Treatment Plant and System Operators?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 119,200 jobs in the United States for Water Treatment Plant and System Operator. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Water Treatment Plant and System Operator. The BLS estimates 9,200 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Water Treatment Plant & System Operator are Colorado, Washington, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maine, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Water Treatment Plant & System Operator Make?
Water Treatment Plant and System Operators make between $28,300 and $76,200 a year.
Water Treatment Plant and System Operators who work in California, Connecticut, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
How much do Water Treatment Plant and System Operators make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,890 |
| Alaska | $63,160 |
| Arizona | $46,780 |
| Arkansas | $35,380 |
| California | $72,650 |
| Colorado | $55,890 |
| Connecticut | $66,560 |
| Delaware | $45,960 |
| Florida | $48,710 |
| Georgia | $39,280 |
| Hawaii | $53,530 |
| Idaho | $44,970 |
| Illinois | $57,310 |
| Indiana | $42,750 |
| Iowa | $45,060 |
| Kansas | $40,210 |
| Kentucky | $38,540 |
| Louisiana | $36,910 |
| Maine | $46,140 |
| Maryland | $48,080 |
| Massachusetts | $57,320 |
| Michigan | $47,540 |
| Minnesota | $53,930 |
| Mississippi | $36,760 |
| Missouri | $43,400 |
| Montana | $43,270 |
| Nebraska | $45,180 |
| Nevada | $63,110 |
| New Hampshire | $50,960 |
| New Jersey | $59,590 |
| New Mexico | $42,370 |
| New York | $59,190 |
| North Carolina | $42,730 |
| North Dakota | $38,950 |
| Ohio | $49,060 |
| Oklahoma | $35,130 |
| Oregon | $55,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,810 |
| Rhode Island | $51,390 |
| South Carolina | $45,240 |
| South Dakota | $42,580 |
| Tennessee | $41,910 |
| Texas | $39,360 |
| Utah | $46,480 |
| Vermont | $47,930 |
| Virginia | $46,310 |
| Washington | $63,520 |
| West Virginia | $36,480 |
| Wisconsin | $51,540 |
| Wyoming | $52,710 |
What Tools do Water Treatment Plant and System Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Water Treatment Plant and System Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Word processing software
- Database software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Timekeeping software
- Human machine interface HMI software
- Records management software
- Data logging software
- Material safety data sheet MSDS software
- Compliance software
How to Become a Water Treatment Plant & System Operator
What education or degrees do I need to become a Water Treatment Plant and System Operator?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Water Treatment Plant & System Operator?
Who Employs Water Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Below are examples of industries where Water Treatment Plant and System Operators work:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Water Treatment Plant and System Operator may also be interested in:
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
- Mechanical Door Repairers
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Are you already one of the many Water Treatment Plant and System Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.