What Do WWTP Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant And System Operators

Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant And System Operators operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

Salary
$51890
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job Description

Job Description

WWTP Operators operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater. They also add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.

Other tasks include:

  • Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
  • Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
  • Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
  • Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
  • Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.

We asked WWTP Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

72%

How meaningful is this job

87%


72% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 87% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, WWTP Operators maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools. They inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.

A typical day for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator will also include:

  • Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
  • Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
  • Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
  • Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
  • Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.

We asked some WWTP Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 46% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 45% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 85% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 44% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 19% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 50% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, WWTP Operators also clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools. They may also maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.

On a weekly to monthly basis, WWTP Operators Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities. They might also Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.

In addition, they Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.

To some WWTP Operators, it is also their responsibility to Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.


Working life

Working hours

Standard 40 hour work week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Do WWTP Operators work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
72%


Never
11%


Do WWTP Operators work outdoors?

Every day
46%


Once a week
30%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Builders and The Organizers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant And System Operators

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Related to Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Job Description

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Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm
http://www.aaees.org/
http://www.asee.org/
http://www.nspe.org/index.html


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