Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of computerized systems, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

Duties

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically do the following:

• Add chemicals, such as chlorine, to disinfect water or other liquids
• Inspect equipment on a regular basis
• Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges
• Collect and test water and sewage samples
• Record meter and gauge readings and operational data
• Document and report test results to regulatory agencies
• Operate equipment to purify and clarify water or to process or dispose of sewage
• Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, filter beds, and other work areas
• Follow environmental regulations
• Ensure safety standards are met

It takes many steps to get water from natural sources—reservoirs, streams, and groundwater—into people’s houses. Similarly, it is a complicated process to convert the wastewater from drains and sewers into a form that is safe to release into the environment.

The specific duties of plant operators depend on the type and size of the plant. In a small plant, one operator may be responsible for maintaining all the systems. In large plants, multiple operators work the same shifts and are more specialized in their duties, often relying on computerized systems to help them monitor plant processes.

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators must be able to manually operate the equipment if there is a plant malfunction caused by power outages or electrical issues. Occasionally, operators must work during emergencies. For example, they may need to work during weather conditions that cause large amounts of storm water or wastewater to flow into sewers, exceeding a plant’s capacity. Emergencies also may be caused by malfunctions within a plant, such as chemical leaks or oxygen deficiencies.

Water treatment plant and system operators work in water treatment plants. Fresh water is pumped from wells, rivers, streams, or reservoirs to water treatment plants, where it is treated and distributed to customers. Water treatment plant and system operators run the equipment, control the processes, and monitor the plants that treat water to make it safe to drink.

Wastewater treatment plant and system operators remove pollutants from domestic and industrial waste. Used water, also known as wastewater, travels through sewer pipes to treatment plants, where it is treated and either returned to streams, rivers, and oceans, or used for irrigation.

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators held about 132,400 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators were as follows:

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work both indoors and outdoors. Their work often involves performing physically demanding tasks and may require working in locations that are difficult to access. Operators may be exposed to noise from machinery and are often exposed to unpleasant odors.

Injuries and Illnesses

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators must pay close attention to safety procedures. Hazardous conditions might include slippery walkways, the presence of dangerous gases, and malfunctioning equipment.

Operators are trained in emergency management procedures and use safety equipment to protect their health, as well as that of the public. For example, these workers may need to wear gloves, safety glasses, and respirators to reduce their risk of exposure to harmful substances.

Work Schedules

Most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work full time. Plants operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Rotating shifts, including days, nights, and weekends, are common. Workers may need to be on call in case of emergencies.

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They also complete on-the-job training. A state license is usually required; however, entry-level workers often complete their licensing requirements during on-the-job training.

The median annual wage for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators was $58,260 in May 2024.

Employment of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.

About 10,700 openings for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.