National Ground Water Association

Small water systems operators control equipment and processes that filter or eliminate unwanted materials, chemical compounds, and microorganisms from water entering a home. They also can be responsible for pumps, valves, and maintenance of other equipment that moves water through various treatment processes.
 
Operators read, interpret, and adjust meters and gauges to ensure that facility equipment and processes are working properly. Operators manage chemical feeding devices, take samples of the water, and adjust the treatment ratio delivered to ensure overall water quality.
 
Water treatment facility operators increasingly rely on computers to monitor equipment, store results of sampling, make process-control decisions, schedule and record maintenance activities, and produce reports. Depending on the size of the facility, operators may use computers to assist in determining the cause of a malfunction and seek its solution. Delivering a safe water supply is a 24/7 job, and operators may need to work during emergencies. Specific duties depend on the size of the water system. A few operators, especially in smaller systems, may handle both water and wastewater treatment activities.
 
A high school diploma or GED is required to become a water treatment operator. Operators need mechanical aptitude and should be competent in basic mathematics, biology, and chemistry. The completion of an associate degree or a one-year certificate program in water quality technology increases an individual’s opportunities for advancement. Trainees usually start as attendants or operators in training and learn their skills on the job under the direction of an experienced operator. Ongoing training is usually a requirement.