Occupation · SOC 51-8031
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.
Median wage
$58,260
$37,870–$86,160
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
126,750
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
92 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringQuality Control AnalysisActive ListeningTroubleshootingSpeakingRepairingEquipment MaintenanceCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementSystems EvaluationMathematicsComplex Problem SolvingWritingSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationActive LearningScienceLearning StrategiesInstructingEquipment SelectionService OrientationManagement of Personnel ResourcesPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingOperations AnalysisInstallation
Knowledge areas
ChemistryBiologyMechanicalMathematicsPublic Safety and SecurityProduction and ProcessingEngineering and TechnologyAdministration and ManagementComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingAdministrativeEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServicePhysicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesLaw and GovernmentBuilding and ConstructionDesignTelecommunicationsGeographyEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaPsychologyTransportationSociology and AnthropologySales and MarketingPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyMedicine and DentistryFood ProductionForeign LanguageTherapy and CounselingFine Arts
Technology & tools
Compliance softwareData logging softwareDatabase softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsHuman machine interface HMI softwareMaterial safety data sheet MSDS softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordOperating system softwareOperational Data Store ODS softwareRecords management softwareSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareTimekeeping softwareWastewater expert control systemsWord processing software
Representative tasks
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsControlling Machines and ProcessesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsProcessing InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesDocumenting/Recording InformationGetting InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAnalyzing Data or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentWorking with ComputersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleTraining and Teaching OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationHandling and Moving ObjectsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesThinking CreativelyCoaching and Developing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Water and sewage samples — collect and label under direct supervisor guidance at a municipal treatment facility.Test equipment and color analysis standards — apply to perform basic water quality checks on shift under close oversight.Operational data forms and meter readings — record accurately on standardized log sheets with supervisor verification.Chemical addition procedures for chlorine and lime — follow written protocols under direct supervision in a treatment plant setting.Plant meters and gauges — read and report observed values to a lead operator during routine shift walkthroughs.Hand tools and basic cleaning implements — use to clean filter beds and tank surfaces as directed by a senior operator.Equipment lubrication schedules — follow step-by-step instructions to apply lubricants to designated machinery under supervision.Plant safety rules and personal protective equipment — demonstrate correct use during entry-level orientation at a water treatment facility.Compliance software and paper log templates — enter shift data into designated fields with guidance from a supervising operator.Oral instructions from supervisors — listen and confirm understanding before performing assigned tasks on the plant floor.
developing
Water and sewage sample test results — analyze independently using color analysis standards and compare against regulatory benchmarks on routine shifts.Equipment control panels and process controls — adjust with reduced oversight to maintain flow rates and treatment levels within normal operating parameters.Operational logs, gauge readings, and personnel attendance records — complete accurately and consistently across full shifts at a water or wastewater plant.Chlorine, ammonia, and lime dosing equipment — operate and calibrate to meet disinfection targets under standard plant conditions.Malfunctions and load requirement changes — detect by monitoring gauges, meters, and equipment indicators during routine operations and escalate appropriately.Hand tools and power tools — use to perform scheduled maintenance, minor repairs, and lubrication tasks with minimal direct supervision.Filter beds and sedimentation tanks — clean and inspect on a recurring maintenance schedule, documenting findings in plant records.Industrial control software and spreadsheet software — enter, retrieve, and organize process data to support daily operational reporting.Troubleshooting steps for common equipment failures — apply systematically to restore normal operations during low-complexity incidents.Verbal shift handoffs with incoming operators — conduct clearly and completely to ensure continuity of plant operations.
proficient
Complex water and sewage quality deviations — diagnose by interpreting test data and adjusting chemical dosing or process controls autonomously across full treatment cycles.Plant equipment controls for purification, clarification, and solids disposal — operate and fine-tune to optimize performance under variable influent conditions without oversight.Non-routine operational events and equipment malfunctions — troubleshoot using deductive reasoning and mechanical knowledge to restore compliance with minimal downtime.Chemical treatment strategies for disinfection and odor control — evaluate and modify based on seasonal variation, regulatory limits, and incoming water quality at a public utility.Maintenance and repair tasks for pumps, valves, and mechanical systems — execute using hand and power tools, following manufacturer specifications and plant safety standards.Compliance software, GIS tools, and database interfaces — use proficiently to track operational data, generate required regulatory reports, and identify process trends.Quality control analyses of treatment outputs — perform and interpret independently, recommending process adjustments to meet public health and environmental standards.Inspection findings from tanks, filter beds, and distribution infrastructure — document in detail and use to prioritize corrective maintenance actions.Regulatory requirements under applicable water and environmental law — apply accurately in daily operations decisions and incident documentation.Shift scheduling conflicts and multi-task priorities — manage independently using time management and critical thinking to maintain continuous plant operation.
advanced
Plant-wide operational standards and procedures — develop and implement to ensure regulatory compliance and treatment efficiency across all shifts at a large water or wastewater facility.Routine and emergency plant operations workforce — direct, coordinate, and evaluate to sustain safe, effective treatment system performance at organizational scale.Capital maintenance plans and equipment replacement strategies — lead development of using engineering knowledge and long-term operational data for utility management.Training programs for new and developing plant operators — design and deliver using adult learning principles to build competency across the workforce.Cross-departmental and regulatory agency relationships — manage through clear communication and negotiation to represent plant operations interests at a public utility.Process improvement initiatives for chemical usage, energy consumption, and waste reduction — lead using complex problem-solving and systems-level analysis of plant performance data.Emergency response and contingency plans for treatment failures or contamination events — author and execute to protect public safety and maintain regulatory standing.Compliance reporting and public safety documentation — oversee preparation and submission to ensure accuracy and timeliness under applicable law and government frameworks.Advanced industrial control software and enterprise data systems — direct configuration and integration to enhance operational monitoring and management decision-making.Organizational culture of attention to detail, integrity, and safety — model and reinforce through daily leadership behaviors and formal performance management at the plant level.
Also known as
58 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Basin TenderBiosolids Management Technician (Biosolids Management Tech)Clarifying Plant OperatorDisposal OperatorDisposal Plant OperatorDrinking Water Technician (Drinking Water Tech)Filter TenderFiltererFiltration OperatorFiltration Plant OperatorIndustrial Waste Treatment Technician (Industrial Waste Treatment Tech)Liquid Waste Treatment Plant OperatorOn-Site Wastewater Systems Technician (On-Site Wastewater Systems Tech)Plant OperatorProcess Operator (Process Op)Purification OperatorRelief OperatorSCADA Operator (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Operator)Sewage Plant OperatorSewage Treatment Plant OperatorSewer OperatorTreatment Plant OperatorTreatment SpecialistUtility OperatorUtility WorkerWaste Disposal Plant OperatorWaste Treatment OperatorWaste Water OperatorWaste Water Technician (Waste Water Tech)Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator (WWTP Operator)Wastewater Operator (WW Operator)Wastewater Plant OperatorWastewater Technician (Wastewater Tech)Wastewater Treatment OperatorWastewater Treatment Plant Operator (WWTP Operator)Water Control DispatcherWater Distribution OperatorWater EngineerWater FiltererWater Filtration Technician (Water Filtration Tech)