Water and waste treatment plant operators
Career Overview
Water plant operators:
- Monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water
Liquid waste plant operators:
- Monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the treatment and disposal of sewage and wastes
These workers are employed by municipal governments, industries and institutions. This group also includes waste treatment plant operators in composting plants and other waste management facilities.
Job Titles
Duties
Water plant operators:
- Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water
- Read flow meters, gauges and other recording instruments to measure water output and consumption levels, bacterial content, chlorine and fluoride levels
- Monitor and inspect plant equipment and systems to detect equipment malfunctions and to make sure plant systems are operating normally
- Collect and test water samples for chemical and bacterial content
- Analyze test results and instrument readings and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems as needed
- Provide verbal or written instructions for process control changes to waterworks system to ensure water produced meets standardized quality requirements
- Do security checks in plant and on grounds
- Respond to customer complaints on water quality problems
- Complete and maintain plant logs and reports
- May perform minor maintenance or help skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery
- May measure, mix and transport chemicals to maintain feed stocks
Liquid waste plant operators:
- Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater treatment, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the flow of sewage through settling, aeration and digestion tanks, and to treat and dispose of sewage and wastes
- Patrol plant to check pumps, motors, filters, chlorinators and other plant equipment; monitor and read gauges, meters and other recording instruments to detect equipment malfunctions and make sure plant systems and equipment are operating within prescribed limits
- Test and adjust chemical feed rates to ensure that disinfection processes meet quality standards
- Collect waste and sewage samples, test and analyze results and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems as needed
- Do security checks in plant and on grounds
- Complete and maintain plant logs and reports
- Perform preventive maintenance on plant equipment to ensure that the facility operates in accordance with required standards
- May assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,650% Employed Full Time
77%Key aspects of the work in this occupation:
- Work takes place in a regular controlled indoor environment
- Work also takes place outdoors where workers are exposed to various weather conditions
- Workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, gases or bacteria in the workplace
- Working with equipment, instruments, machinery or power/hand tools may be a source of injury
- The workplace may contain strong or toxic odours
- Noise in the workplace may cause distraction or hearing loss
Career Pathways
There is limited movement between water plant and waste plant operators. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
- Completion of secondary school is required
- College or industry training courses in chemistry, pollution control or related subjects are required
- Certification in water treatment and distribution (Levels I, II, III or IV depending on the certification level of the plant) is required for water treatment plant operators
- Certification in wastewater collection and wastewater treatment (Level I, II, III or IV depending certification level of the plant) is required for wastewater treatment plant operators
- Solid waste, landfill or compost facility operator certification may be required for operators in waste treatment plants
- Certification in workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), and courses in safety practices may be required
- On-the-job training is provided
- Previous experience as a worker in the water treatment or wastewater field may be required
Wastewater operators and practitioners who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.
For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.
Contact the Environmental Operators Certification Program and/or the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Water Quality/Wastewater Management
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,650Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 55 | 3.3% |
| Kootenay | 155 | 9.4% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 540 | 32.7% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 80 | 4.8% |
| Northeast | 70 | 4.2% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 325 | 19.7% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 430 | 26.1% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
770Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 20 | 0.4% |
| Kootenay | 80 | 0.5% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 260 | 1.4% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 40 | 2.4% |
| Northeast | 40 | 1.6% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 190 | 1.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 140 | 0.1% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Utilities | 490 |
| Public Administration | 130 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 50 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 30 |
| Construction | 20 |
Resources
-
British Columbia Water and Waste Associationwww.bcwwa.org
-
Environmental Operators Certification Programeocp.ca
Career Videos
Watch the video below to learn what a typical day is like for a water treatment plant supervisor.
Watch the video below to learn what a typical day is like for a water treatment plant supervisor.
