Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Go Back to List Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Compliance software

Tasks
	Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
	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.
	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.
	Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
	Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
	Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.

Skills
	Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
	Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
	Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
	Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Knowledge
	Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
	Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
	Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
	Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.   Related Experience:   Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $76,986.00 $37.01  $27.23  $29.81 - $42.34  Bridgeport/Stamford $84,828.00 $40.78  $31.32  $32.19 - $49.08  Danbury $67,231.00 $32.33  $27.88  $29.18 - $37.19  Hartford $75,021.00 $36.07  $26.02  $29.12 - $41.40  New Haven $75,331.00 $36.22  $28.62  $29.54 - $39.90  New London/Norwich $79,790.00 $38.36  $28.46  $29.41 - $41.29  Waterbury $63,166.00 $30.37  $24.44  $27.27 - $30.18

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   90   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.