Career Description 

Water quality matters. Whether the water is coming out of the faucet in your kitchen, or is the output of a technology company’s manufacturing plant, human safety and local, state and federal requirements mandate that water be the highest quality and purity, all the time. Key to this process is Water/Wastewater Treatment Technicians, also known as Wastewater Treatment or Collections Operators, Water Treatment or Distribution Operations or Facilities Technicians.

The primary job duties of operators and technicians include responsibility for the proper operation and maintenance of a water supply or wastewater treatment facility in order to produce the highest quality water needed for municipal and industrial systems. This means acquiring an in-depth understanding of exactly how machinery and processes work in order to troubleshoot problems, streamline operations, repair or correct breakdowns and in general, make everything run smoothly.

This requires operators and technicians to acquire a high level of math and science proficiency and a thorough knowledge of water quality standards, plant operation and maintenance procedures in order to succeed in this profession. To keep things running smoothly, you must care deeply about accuracy, attention-to-detail and the importance of your work to human life and safety. Working under pressure, often on deadline and many times without
supervision, operators and technicians must efficiently manage workflow for superior water quality, without fail.

Employment Outlook 

Due to population growth, industry demand and a critical need for water - particularly in the Southwest of the United States - Water/Wastewater Treatment Technician positions are expected to increase 10% or more in the next 10 years. Water/Wastewater Technicians earn an average of $10.43 to $26.77 an hour for an average salary of $21,700 to $53,540 a year.