Treatment Plant Operator

Treatment Plant Operators play a vital role in making Australia’s water safe to use. 

They treat water to meet appropriate standards and regulate the pumping of water and wastewater to ensure there’s enough clean water for people to use. This helps protect public health and the environment.

Industry Demand

If you like hands on technical work, both indoors and outside, a Treatment Plant Operator could be the role for you.   
 
A career as a Treatment Plant Operator is ideal for those interested in water and wastewater operations, manual skills and labour, mathematics, analysing and solving problems, processes and procedures.
 

ResponsibilitIes

As a Treatment Plant Operator, you would: 

  • operate computerised and manual equipment to control and regulate water flow
  • use appropriate chemicals to treat water and wastewater
  • collect and test water and wastewater samples
  • monitor water quality
  • ensure quality safety standards are met by cleaning and maintaining equipment
  • record operational data and prepare reports
  • follow regulatory requirements set by Environment Protection Authority and other regulators
  • assist in upgrading plant systems or implementing new technologies as required
  • maintain records in compliance with local council, state, and federal water authorities

Qualifications for this role

The following qualifications can be used to become a Treatment Plant Operator: 

  • Certificate II (NWP20122) in Water Industry Operations 
    (available as school based traineeship)
  • Certificate III (NWP30222) in Water Industry Operations 
    (2 years, full-time, available as a fee-free traineeship)
  • Certificate IV (NWP40120) in Water Industry Operations 
    (12-18 months full time) 

These qualifications include on the job training. These government-subsidised qualifications are available through Registered Training Organisations. 

Where you might work

water-supply_10414972 1
Treatment Plants
Infrastructure partners
Reservoirs and Dams
Specialist contractors
Indoor/Outdoor

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