If you are interested in becoming a water operator, there are several things you will want to know about this career, from what this job is all about to your potential salary. In this post, we will provide a rundown of who a water operator is and what they mostly do, to help you decide if this is the career path you should take.
Let’s dive right in!
So, What’s a Water Operator?
A water operator, also referred to as a Water Quality Technician or Water Treatment Plant Operator, is the guardian of the quality of the public water supply. In other words, a water operator ensures the safety and quality of the drinking water that’s being supplied to the community.
As a water operator, you should expect to work in a variety of settings, which include control rooms, laboratories, and even outdoors (monitoring equipment and processes).
What Does It Take to Become a Water Operator?
The requirements of becoming a water operator vary depending on the level you are interested in.
At the entry-level, you typically need to meet the following requirements, but this can change from one state to the next:
- High school diploma or its equivalent
- Understanding of water treatment and distribution processes
- Be ready to work under a supervisor or more experienced operators for on-the-job training
If you’re interested in the higher levels of a water operator career, you will need to take water operator certification classes from a reputable professional education provider like RocketCert. You’ll also need to continue your education to remain licensed. To qualify, you will need enough on-the-job experience since you are dealing with more sensitive tasks.
Tasks You Will Have as a Water Operator
The roles of a water operator may change from one jurisdiction to the next, but in most cases, here is what you will be tasked with:
1. Operation of Equipment and Processes
A water operator is at the core of water treatment processes, and this means they are responsible for the operation and monitoring of equipment and processes used to purify water from natural water sources like rivers and groundwater. You will use various types of systems, such as filters, pumps, and chemical treatment systems, to remove harmful contaminants, impurities, and pathogens from water.
2. System Maintenance
Your job as a water operator will also involve ensuring that the equipment used in the treatment processes, such as pumps, valves, filters, and chemical feed systems, is in good working condition. This means you may be involved in the upkeep and repair process of such equipment to ensure smooth operation and avoid breakdowns that typically affect water quality.
3. Monitoring Water Quality
It’s important to conduct regular tests and analyses to assess the quality of treated water throughout various stages of the treatment process. Some of the parameters you will be interested in during your test and analysis processes include chlorine levels, turbidity, pH levels, and bacterial content. Your main objective during these tests is to ensure the water being distributed to the public meets regulatory standards for safe consumption.
4. Conducting Lab Tests
You will often have to conduct laboratory tests on water samples to determine the quality and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Such tests will include physical, bacteriological, and chemical analyses.
5. Record Keeping and Reporting
Be ready to create, update, and prepare water treatment records for reporting. Your records will typically revolve around elements like plant operation, maintenance activities, regulatory compliance, and test results. You need accurate record-keeping to track performance metrics, demonstrate compliance with legal requirements, and identify trends.
Streamline Your Process of Becoming a Water Operator
Water operators play an indispensable role in ensuring our drinking water is not only clean but also safe. So, if you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference in your community in a career that offers great job security, you can consider becoming a water operator.
RocketCert streamlines this process for you through online pre-certification and continuing education courses that are not only written but also fully narrated by experts. That way, you can study at your own pace and have fun while at it.
