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Engineering ServicesISCO 3132

Wastewater treatment operator

A wastewater treatment operator is a person who runs the machinery at a water or sewage treatment works: treating and filtering drinking water before it reaches customers, and cleaning wastewater before it is returned to a river or the sea.

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Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

interpret scientific data to assess water quality

use water disinfection equipment

collect samples

maintain water treatment equipment

perform water treatments

About wastewater treatment operator

What a wastewater operator does is hold a continuous process inside its limits. The operator carries out the water treatment and the wastewater treatment operations the works is designed for, controls the stages the flow passes through, including percolation, and maintains the treatment equipment that keeps them running. Samples are taken on a set round and tested, and the operator interprets the chemical analysis of the water to judge whether the plant is performing. Results of analysis are documented according to the plant's procedures.

The work is done at the plant itself, around tanks, pumps and filter beds, in a process that does not stop when a shift ends.

The role needs an understanding of water chemistry and of the biological stages treatment depends on, steady attention to readings that move slowly, the discipline to follow sampling procedure exactly, and a willingness to work outdoors in all weather. Requirements for the post, including any certification, are set by the employer and by the water regulations of each country.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

water chemistry analysiswater chemistry analysisPrinciples of complex water chemistry.percolationpercolationThe process of the slow movement of water in a porous medium. The movement of liquids filtering through porous materials or substance containing small holes in it.interpret scientific data to assess water qualityinterpret scientific data to assess water qualityAnalyse and interpret data like biological properties to know the quality of water.use water disinfection equipmentuse water disinfection equipmentOperate equipment for water disinfection, using different methods and techniques, such as mechanical filtration, depending on needs.collect samplescollect samplesSet up and operate equipment to collect water, gas, oil or soil samples for testing.maintain water treatment equipmentmaintain water treatment equipmentPerform repairs and routine maintenance tasks on equipment used in the purification and treatment processes of water and waste water.perform water treatmentsperform water treatmentsPerform regularly water testing, ensuring that water management and filtration processes follow reasonable management practices, industry standards, or commonly accepted farming practices. Record prev...measure water quality parametersmeasure water quality parametersQuality assure water by taking into consideration various elements, such as temperature.operate water purifying equipmentoperate water purifying equipmentOperate and adjust equipment controls to purify and clarify water, process and treat wastewater, air and solids, recycle or discharge treated water, and generate power.carry out waste water treatmentcarry out waste water treatmentPerform waste water treatment according to regulations checking for biological waste and chemical waste.dispose of sewage sludgedispose of sewage sludgeOperate equipment to pump the sewage sludge and store it into containers in order to transform the gases it emits into energy. After this phase, dry the sludge and evaluate its potential reuse as fert...document analysis resultsdocument analysis resultsDocument on paper or on electronic devices the process and the results of the samples analysis performed.perform water treatment proceduresperform water treatment proceduresPerform operations such as filtering, sterilising, and dechlorinating in order to purify water for consumption and food production using different procedures and technologies such as micro-filtration,...monitor water qualitymonitor water qualityMeasure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.perform water chemistry analysisperform water chemistry analysisPerform water chemistry analysis to identify and quantify the chemical components and properties of water samples.
Optional (17) — show
water policieswater policiesThe framework of policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations concerning water.laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.water reusewater reusePrinciples of water re-use processes in complex circulation systems.ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.operate sewage treatment plans on shipsoperate sewage treatment plans on shipsOperate sewage treatment plants in ships, oversee plant maintenance, understand the mechanical functioning of the machine and comply with regulatory mandates of materials discharge to the sea.test samples for pollutantstest samples for pollutantsMeasure concentrations of pollutants within samples. Calculate air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes. Identify potential safety or health risks such as radiation.maintain water distribution equipmentmaintain water distribution equipmentPerform routine maintenance tasks, identify flaws, and perform repairs on the equipment used in the supply and distribution of clean water.maintain specified water characteristicsmaintain specified water characteristicsTurn valves and place baffles in troughs to adjust the volume, depth, discharge, and temperature of water as specified.ensure proper water storageensure proper water storageEnsure that correct procedures are followed and the required equipment is present and functional for the storage of water prior to treatment or distribution.perform sample testingperform sample testingExamine and perform tests on prepared samples; avoid any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination during the testing phase. Operate sampling equipment in line with design parameters.operate hydraulic machinery controlsoperate hydraulic machinery controlsUse correctly the controls of specialized machinery by turning valves, handwheels, or rheostats to move and control flow of fuels, water, and dry or liquid binders to machines.ensure equipment maintenanceensure equipment maintenanceEnsure that the equipment required for operations is regularly checked for faults, that routine maintenance tasks are performed, and that repairs are scheduled and performed in the case of damage or f...prepare samples for testingprepare samples for testingTake and prepare samples for testing, verify their representability; avoid bias and any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination. Provide clear numbering, labelling and recording of the s...maintain desalination control systemmaintain desalination control systemMaintain a system to obtain potable water from saline water.apply health and safety standardsapply health and safety standardsAdhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.manage desalination control systemmanage desalination control systemManage a system for the removal of salt in order to obtain potable water.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a wastewater treatment operator do?

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.

What skills does a wastewater treatment operator need?

A wastewater treatment operator needs 15 essential skills, including water chemistry analysis, percolation, interpret scientific data to assess water quality, use water disinfection equipment, collect samples.

Will AI replace wastewater treatment operator jobs?

The AI disruption score for wastewater treatment operator is 49/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: document analysis results, monitor water quality, test samples for pollutants. Most resilient: perform water treatment procedures, dispose of sewage sludge, water reuse.

Quick Facts

SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills15

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