Career: Water- and Wastewater-Treatment-Plant Operators
Where does the clean water flowing out of your kitchen faucet come from? It was pumped from a lake or other natural source to a water-treatment plant. And after you use the water, it goes to a wastewater-treatment plant. At both facilities, plant operators control processes and equipment that remove pollutants from the water. They take water samples and read meters and gauges. After examining this data, they might adjust equipment or the release of chemicals to ensure that the water is safe.
And that's just a typical day. As an operator, you may sometimes have to handle emergencies, remaining calm while working in dangerous conditions.
Water-treatment-plant operators control processes and equipment that remove pollutants in water so it is safe to drink. Wastewater-treatment-plant operators perform similar duties to ensure wastewater can be returned safely to natural areas or be reused.
Did You Know?
- Workers in this field must earn state certification by passing an exam.
Are You Ready To...?
- Use tools to maintain and repair pumps, valves, and other equipment
- Read maps, charts, and graphs
- Work both indoors and outdoors, sometimes in noisy, smelly, or dirty locations
- Deal with hazards, such as slippery walkways, dangerous gases, and broken equipment
- Work night, weekend, and holiday shifts, since plants are always running
It Helps to Be...
Comfortable using machines and tools. You should enjoy the sciences, math, and computers. You also need to stay calm in an emergency and work well under pressure.
Make High School Count
- Do your best in math, chemistry, and biology.
- Get experience working with computers.
- Sign up for shop courses to learn how to use tools and machines.
- Stay in school. You can’t get this job without a high school diploma.
Did You Know?
- The government establishes standards for clean water, and operators have to keep up with these regulations.
Outlook
In water and wastewater treatment, a growing population should fuel average job growth, compared with other careers, through 2016. Large towns and cities will most likely meet increased water needs by building more plants, and these new plants will need plant operators. Job openings should outnumber job hunters. However, this is in large part because the work is very physical, dirty, and dangerous.
Compensation
The U.S. Department of Labor estimated that operators of water- and wastewater-treatment plants earned an average salary of $39,950 in 2008. Operators also usually receive such benefits as health and life insurance, a retirement plan, and tuition for job-related education.
