Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

I. JOB SUMMARY

Main Topic: Environment and Society
Secondary Topic: Places and Regions

Overview: Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators transfer or treat water or wastewater through managing a system of machines. They must inspect equipment, monitor conditions, test samples, record data, communicate with regulatory agencies, follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations, and ensure safety standards. Processing water is complex, both transforming the natural resource to home use or making wastewater safe to release. Operators duties will vary based on the type and size of the plant. As water is a necessity, sometimes it is necessary to operate the systems without power in emergency situations. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically work for local government or utility companies. They will have on-the-job training with some places requiring licenses.

Geographers at work: Environmental geographers, Hydrologist,

Recommended College Courses: Introduction to Physical Geography, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Use and Management, Energy Resource Management, Water Resources, Water Resources Planning, Urban Geography, Community and Regional Planning, Groundwater Resources, Environmental Hazards, Water Policy, Cities and Urban Design

Skills: geospatial technology, climate and weather forecasting, human resource management, watershed management, field methods,

Occupation Group: Production

Learn more about Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators.htm