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Water Treatment Plant and System Operator

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Life As a Water Treatment Plant and System Operator

Water Treatment Plant & System Operator Example Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

A Day in the Life of a Water Treatment Plant & System Operator

  • 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.
  • Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
  • Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
  • Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.

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.

Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

  • Sewage Treatment Plant Operator
  • Biosolids Management Technician
  • Water Supply Technician
  • Water Treatment Technician
  • Water Pumper

Job Outlook 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,200 job openings in this field each year.

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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.

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Water Treatment Plant and System Operators who work in California, Connecticut, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Water Treatment Plant and System Operators in different U.S. states.

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?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Water Treatment Plant and System Operators may use on a daily basis:

  • 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
  • Material safety data sheet MSDS software
  • Data logging software
  • Compliance software

How do I Become a Water Treatment Plant & System Operator?

Are there Water Treatment Plant and System Operators education requirements?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Water Treatment Plant and System Operators?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Water Treatment Plant and System Operators employed by various industries.

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Those thinking about becoming a Water Treatment Plant and System Operator might also be interested in the following careers:

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.

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