Water and waste treatment plant operators

NOC

92101

monitor and operate control systems and equipment in water and wastewater treatment plants, and water distribution and wastewater collection systems.

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Full NOC Description

Water treatment plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water. Liquid waste plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the treatment and disposal of sewage and wastes. They are employed by municipal governments and industrial facilities.

Main Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Water treatment plant operators

Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water

Monitor and inspect plant equipment and systems to detect equipment malfunctions and to ensure plant systems are operating normally

Read flow meters, gauges and other recording instruments to measure water output and consumption levels, bacterial content, chlorine and fluoride levels

Collect and test water samples for chemical and bacterial content, analyze test results and instrument readings and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems to ensure quality control

Provide verbal or written instructions for process control changes to waterworks system to ensure water produced meets standardized quality requirements

Perform security checks in plant and on grounds

Respond to public enquiries regarding water quality issues and emergencies

Complete and maintain plant logs, reports and statistics

May perform minor maintenance or assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery

May measure, mix and transport chemicals to maintain feed stocks.

Liquid waste plant operators

Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater treatment, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the flow of sewage through settling, aeration and digestion tanks, and to treat and dispose of sewage and wastes

Patrol plant to check pumps, motors, filters, chlorinators and other plant equipment; monitor and read gauges, meters and other recording instruments to detect equipment malfunctions and ensure plant systems and equipment are operating within prescribed limits

Test and adjust chemical feed rates to ensure that disinfection processes meet quality standards

Collect waste and sewage samples, test and analyze results and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems as required

Perform security checks in plant and on grounds

Complete and maintain plant logs and reports

Perform preventive maintenance on plant equipment to ensure that the facility operates in accordance with required standards

May assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery.

Also Known As

environmental systems operator - water treatment
liquid waste process operator
sewage plant operator
waste treatment plant operator
wastewater treatment plant operator

water filtration plant operator

water purification plant operator

water treatment plant operator

Requirements

Employment Requirements

Completion of secondary school is required.

College or industry training courses in chemistry, pollution control or related subjects are usually required.

Certification in water treatment and distribution (level according to the classification of the plant) is required for water treatment plant operators.

Drinking water certification is required in Quebec and Ontario for operators whose work involves water treatment and distribution.

Certification in wastewater collection and wastewater treatment (level according to the classification of the plant) is required for wastewater treatment plant operators.

Solid waste, landfill or compost facility operator certification may be required for operators in waste treatment plants.

Certification in workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), and courses in safety practices may be required.

On-the-job training is provided.

Previous experience as a worker in the water treatment or wastewater field may be required.

Provincial Regulation

Not Provincially Regulated

Employment by Sex

The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.

Data legend

9.8%

Female

90.2%

Male

Employment by age

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.

Data legend

10.0%

15-24

12.0%

25-34

20.0%

35-44

32.0%

45-54

26.0%

55-64

0.0%

65+

Employment by highest level of education

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.

Data legend

13.7%

No Certificate, Diploma or Degree

21.6%

High School, Diploma or Equivalent

15.7%

Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma

41.2%

College or University Below Bachelor Level

7.8%

University - Bachelor Level or Above

Employment by Industry

The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.

Data legend

44.0%

Utilities

22.0%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

16.0%

Public administration

18.0%

All Other Industries

Employment by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.

Data legend

22.00%

Northeast

14.00%

Southeast

30.00%

Southwest

22.00%

Central

12.00%

Northwest

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Annual Average Salary by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the average salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Data legend

$58,000

Northeast

$64,000

Southeast

$70,000

Southwest

$64,000

Central

$72,000

Northwest

Economic Regions

Hourly Median Wages by Economic Regions

The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Salary

The following shows the average salary of everyone who worked full-time and year-round in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.

Employment Outlook

The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).

Occupational Profiles