Water plant technician
Also known as: water plant worker, water plant monitoring technician, water plant equipment maintenance technician, water treatment plant operator, water treatment technician, water plant operator
About this occupation
Water plant technicians maintain and repair water treatment and supply equipment in a water plant. They ensure the provision of clean water by measuring the water quality, ensuring it is filtered and treated correctly, and maintaining distribution systems.
Essential skills and knowledge
- ensure compliance with environmental legislation
- measure water quality parameters
- water policies
- operate pumping systems
- maintain water storage equipment
- water pressure
- troubleshoot
- maintain water treatment equipment
- operate hydraulic machinery controls
- maintain water distribution equipment
- monitor water quality
- maintain specified water characteristics
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (O*NET 51-8031.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
- Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Active Listening, Speaking, Equipment Maintenance
US median pay: US$60,020 a year (2025), 128,490 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (3.6)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.5)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.4)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.4)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.4)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.2)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.2)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Chemical Plant and System Operators
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Power Plant Operators
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Gas Plant Operators
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.