Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

The Work

Waste water process plant operators work at treatment plants that deal with waste water and sewage. Modern plants contain automatic equipment so a lot of the operator's work takes place in control rooms. They monitor the progress of waste water by looking at information on computer screens, including warning messages when conditions are not right.  
 
Waste water undergoes a gradual cleaning process. As waste water comes into the plant, operators make visual checks, for example of colour, to make sure that there are no chemicals in it. Operators visit different areas of the plant to check the treatment process and that pumps and other equipment work correctly. They monitor oxygen levels and may make adjustments to equipment. They identify and report problems they cannot deal with to technicians and managers.  
 
They check equipment such as drive belts on motors, they grease pump bearings and turn hand wheels to move barriers and open valves. They clean and reset equipment that sends information to control room computers. They also take samples for analysis, carry out basic laboratory tests and operate controls to add chemicals.  
 
In some industrial areas, the metal content of sludge makes it unsuitable for recycling to agricultural land. In this case, operators are responsible for running and monitoring incinerators. They also supervise the filling of trucks with ash and operate the loading machinery.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorise water and other liquids.
• Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
• Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
• Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
• Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
• Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
• Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.
• Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.

Further Information

• Water Treatment Plant Operator - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Water Treatment Plant Operator - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Waste Water Process Plant Operators usually start out as water operatives. Experienced staff then provide on-the-job training so that you graduate to a Water Treatment Plant Operator. Day release and short courses are often available.  
 
Solas run a Water and Waste Water Treatment Plant Operation course which is flexible in structure and provides for competency based certification for water and waste plant operational personnel. This modular training programme is aimed at local authority water and wastewater plant operational personnel, engineers, technicians, craftspersons, operatives etc.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Manufacturing Technician skills, Engineering operations, Waste water treatment operations, Quality management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Engineering, Engineer Technology, Environmental Science/ Health, Renewable energy tech at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Engineering Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: General Engineering, Engineer Technology, Environmental engineering, Sustainable energy engineering at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Sustainable infrastructure, Energy Systems engineering, Environmental Engineering (Queens Belfast), Environmental health & safety Management NFQ level 9. 

Engineers Ireland 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €60k

Salaries vary based on employer (public / semi state), location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
CPL/ Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Indeed/LGMA/ Morgan McKinley/ Lincoln

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite the strong employment growth rate for this occupation over the five-year period, employment only returned to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2022.

Although the green transition may result in an increased demand for elementary workers in energy and sewerage plant operations, the small numbers employed across the various roles in this occupation do not allow for detailed demand analysis.

• Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI)

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