Water treatment worker
Water quality technicians treat and clean drinking water and process waste water.
Salary range: £14,500 to £32,000
How to become a water treatment worker
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects include the Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Water Engineering.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More information
Apprenticeship
You may be able to do a water process technician advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More information
Direct application
You could apply directly to work as a water treatment worker. Some employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English, maths and a science.
Experience of working in industrial plant maintenance may give you an advantage.
More information
Further information
You’ll find more advice about careers and training in the water industry through Talent Source Network.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- knowledge of maths
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- to be flexible and open to change
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of physics
- the ability to work on your own
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- knowledge of public safety and security
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and requirements
You’ll need to:
- pass a medical check
You’ll have to register with a water industry safety scheme.
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- operating equipment to treat sewage
- cleaning and maintaining tanks and filters
- adding chemicals and microbes to treat water
- taking readings and keeping accurate records
- checking drinking water samples for quality
Working environment
You could work in a control room.
Your working environment may be dirty, physically demanding, cramped, at height and outdoors in all weathers.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a team leader. With further training, you could become an engineering technician or a water engineer.