Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

A wastewater treatment plant operator is responsible for purifying wastewater. Operators remove harmful chemicals, contaminants and solid waste from domestic and commercial wastewater. The treated water is then returned to the rivers and streams. Wastewater treatment plant operators must read and understand meters, gauges and computers that monitor the purification process. This information is used to make decisions in controlling the pumps, valves, and generators that transport the wastewater through the process and disposing of the waste materials. Wastewater treatment plant operators regularly collect water samples, operate chemical feed pumps and perform tests in a laboratory. They also may be required to make minor repairs on equipment. The job responsibioities of a wastewater treatment plant operator vary depending on the size and type of plant. In some smaller plants only one operator may be needed to perform all tasks. Larger plants may employ many treatment operators with each specializing in a single process.