Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Water Plant Operator

🎯 Role Definition

A Water Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of municipal or industrial water and/or wastewater treatment facilities. The role includes monitoring and adjusting treatment processes, performing laboratory testing, operating SCADA and control systems, maintaining mechanical and electrical equipment, and producing accurate regulatory reports. Operators protect public health and the environment by ensuring treated water meets permit and drinking water standards while continuously improving plant performance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Utility Laborer / Water Utility Worker
Maintenance Technician or Mechanic (entry-level)
Laboratory Technician / Environmental Technician

Advancement To:

Senior/Lead Water Plant Operator
Shift Supervisor / Operations Supervisor
Treatment Plant Superintendent / Plant Manager
Water/Wastewater Operations Manager or Regulatory Compliance Manager

Lateral Moves:

SCADA/Instrumentation Technician
Environmental Compliance Specialist
Industrial Process Operator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate, monitor and control pumps, blowers, compressors, chemical feed systems, clarifiers, filters, UV systems, and other treatment process equipment to maintain continuous, efficient water production and meet required effluent quality.
Monitor SCADA, PLC and distributed control systems continuously; interpret alarms and trends, adjust setpoints, and take corrective action to stabilize processes and prevent permit excursions.
Collect, perform and document routine and non-routine laboratory sampling and analysis (pH, chlorine residual, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, BOD, TSS, coliforms) following QA/QC procedures to verify process performance and regulatory compliance.
Adjust chemical dosing (coagulants, chlorine, fluoride, polymer, odor control chemicals) based on influent characteristics, laboratory data and treatment objectives to ensure safe and compliant water delivery.
Conduct scheduled plant rounds and inspections of mechanical, electrical and control equipment; identify malfunctions, record observations, and initiate work orders for maintenance or repair.
Maintain accurate process logs, shift reports, meter readings, chain-of-custody documentation and daily operational records required for internal review and regulatory reporting.
Prepare and submit regulatory compliance reports (NPDES, state discharge reports, drinking water reports) and assist with responses to regulatory inquiries and inspections.
Troubleshoot instrumentation and control devices (flow meters, level sensors, chlorine analyzers, turbidity meters); perform functional checks and coordinate vendor support for calibration and repair.
Execute start-up and shutdown procedures for treatment trains, pumps, and chemical systems in accordance with standard operating procedures and safety protocols to prevent system upsets.
Perform solids handling and sludge management tasks including dewatering, polymer dosing, hauling coordination and equipment maintenance to ensure disposal and treatment system integrity.
Implement and document preventive maintenance activities on rotating equipment, valves, tanks, and piping; coordinate planned outages and capital repairs with maintenance and management.
Respond to after-hours alarms, plant upsets, power outages and emergencies; lead on‑site troubleshooting and corrective actions to protect public health and minimize environmental impact.
Conduct confined space entry operations, following permit procedures, atmospheric testing, and rescue plans; use appropriate PPE and follow lockout/tagout practices when required.
Maintain chemical inventory, storage safety, spill response materials and proper secondary containment; reorder and document receipt and usage of hazardous chemicals.
Assist with commissioning, start-up and performance testing of new equipment and process modifications; provide operational input during design and acceptance testing.
Train, mentor and evaluate junior operators, temporary staff and contract personnel on safe operation, sampling techniques and SOP adherence; maintain training records tied to certification requirements.
Participate in process optimization initiatives focused on reducing chemical usage, energy consumption and operating costs while improving treatment performance and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate with public works, customer service and emergency responders during water quality incidents, boil-water advisories or community outreach; prepare technical summaries for non-technical stakeholders.
Maintain grounds, buildings and access ways; perform seasonal tasks such as snow removal, spill cleanup and housekeeping to preserve safe plant conditions.
Execute basic electrical and mechanical repairs such as motor replacements, belt and bearing changes, pump alignment and valve servicing in conjunction with maintenance staff.
Operate backup power systems and emergency generators to sustain critical treatment functions during utility outages; manage fuel supplies and exercise emergency equipment per schedule.
Participate in safety programs, conduct job hazard analyses, investigate incidents, and implement corrective actions to continuously reduce workplace risk and maintain OSHA compliance.
Maintain and audit electronic and paper records to ensure data integrity for internal reviews, audits and long-term regulatory record keeping.

Secondary Functions

Coordinate procurement requests for parts, chemicals and safety supplies; track vendor performance and inventory levels to avoid operational interruptions.
Support capital improvement planning by providing operational requirements, process data, and cost-benefit input during design phases.
Provide on-call technical support for adjacent facilities (pump stations, distribution reservoirs) and assist with system-wide operational troubleshooting.
Contribute to cross-functional projects such as energy efficiency assessments, asset management updates and sustainability initiatives.
Assist environmental health and safety teams with training development, safety toolbox talks and audit preparation.
Maintain community relations by participating in plant tours, public education events and customer communications when assigned.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

State/operator certification (e.g., Class I/II/III Water or Wastewater Operator) or ability to obtain within a specified timeframe.
SCADA/PLC operation and basic troubleshooting experience; familiarity with HMI screens, alarm management and trending.
Hands-on experience with chemical feed systems, chlorination/disinfection equipment, and dosing control logic.
Laboratory sampling and analysis skills: pH, chlorine residual, turbidity, conductivity, BOD/TSS, microbiological testing and chain-of-custody procedures.
Knowledge of water chemistry, coagulation/flocculation, filtration, disinfection and sludge handling processes.
Preventive maintenance execution and basic mechanical skills (pumps, motors, bearings, valves, belts).
Instrumentation calibration and troubleshooting (flow meters, level sensors, analyzers).
Regulatory reporting knowledge (NPDES, SDWA) and experience preparing permit-required reports and logs.
Familiarity with safety programs: confined space entry, lockout/tagout, respiratory protection and hazardous chemical handling.
Basic electrical skills: starter controls, motor troubleshooting, generator operation and electrical safety awareness.
Proficiency with CMMS, asset management systems and Microsoft Office (Excel for process trend review and reporting).
Experience with emergency response procedures and incident documentation.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, auditable record keeping.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to diagnose process upsets and implement effective corrective actions.
Clear oral and written communication for shift handovers, regulatory correspondence and cross-department coordination.
Team player with the ability to mentor junior staff and collaborate with maintenance, engineering and regulatory teams.
Time management and prioritization skills under 24/7 operational demands and on-call schedules.
Adaptability to variable workloads, emergency situations and seasonal process changes.
Commitment to safety culture and continuous improvement.
Professionalism when interacting with regulators, contractors and the public.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:
Associate degree or certificate in Environmental Science, Water/Wastewater Technology, Chemical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or a related technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Water/Wastewater Technology
Environmental Science or Technology
Chemical Engineering Technology
Industrial Electricity / Instrumentation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
1–5 years of experience in water or wastewater treatment operations or related industrial process operations.

Preferred:
3+ years of progressively responsible operations experience at a municipal or industrial treatment plant; documented experience operating SCADA/PLC systems and performing laboratory analyses. Active state operator certification (or ability to achieve Class II/III) preferred for higher-level roles.

Physical requirements: ability to lift 50+ lbs, climb ladders, work in confined spaces, and be available for rotating shifts and on‑call duties. Valid driver's license required for some positions.