Mid Green occupationEngineering and manufacturing
Water treatment technician - Water Treatment Operations Supervisor
Responsible for the development, installation and maintenance of water treatment programmes for water systems.
Summary
Water Treatment Technicians are responsible for the development, installation and maintenance of water treatment programmes for water systems in industrial and commercial buildings, hotels and institutional premises including colleges, schools, hospitals and care homes. Water use may be for drinking and washing, space heating and cooling, process/manufacturing heating and cooling, energy transport, power generation, industrial washing/cleaning processes, food production, healthcare and direct product input. Water treatment programmes are required to minimise health risks e.g. legionnaires disease, reduce system corrosion, scale formation and prevent microbiological contamination. Water Treatment Technicians work for specialist Service Providers who are contracted to maintain the water conditions either directly by site management, by site maintenance contractors or through facilities management organisations. They are required to work on their own, proficiently and without supervision within both occupied and unoccupied buildings and they are able to guide and supervise Water Treatment Operatives, specialist sub-contractors and site staff completing specific water treatment tasks. They are expected to manage the safe working practices of a team without endangering themselves or others. They are able to demonstrate competence in health and safety, communication, problem solving and provision of recommendations and advice.
Typical job titles include
- Water treatment technician
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Chemical reactions involved in the corrosion and scaling processes in water systems
K2:
Inhibition methods for the reduction of corrosion of different metals including steel, copper and aluminium in water systems
K3:
Inhibition methods for the reduction of different scale types in specific water systems including cooling towers, steam boilers and manufacturing processes, etc.
K4:
Cell structure of waterborne microbes and the interactions with biocidal products used to control them
K5:
The concepts of flow and heat transfer in water systems and how they affect water treatment processes
K6:
Ion transfer technologies, including resin and membrane based systems, used to change water quality
K7:
The use of specialised analytical equipment for the testing in field of water samples including digital titration, colorimeters and photometers
K19:
Understand the water treatment requirements of specific water systems e.g. drinking water systems, process water systems etc.
K20:
Understand chemical cleaning and disinfection programme options for specific water systems and processes
K21:
Acquire the knowledge required to assess the performance of water treatment cleaning/disinfection operation
K22:
Understand the risks involved, the relevant Health and Safety regulations associated with the project and specific requirements of the project site
Technical Educational Products
- ST0453: Water treatment technician - Water Treatment Operations Supervisor (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0453C
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £32,351 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 8134 Water and sewerage plant operatives
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 8134/02 Water treatment operatives
- 1254/04 Sewage works and water treatment managers
- 8134/01 Water and sewerage distribution operatives
- 8134/99 Water and sewerage plant operatives n.e.c.
S1:
Understand, comply with and implement statutory health and safety regulations with regard to the tasks being undertaken.
S2:
Understand and implement organisational safety requirements for themselves and others, including responsibility and supervision for safe access to water systems and the handling of chemicals.
S3:
Maintain a safe environment for other building occupants during water treatment operations including any relevant signage and notifications.
S4:
They should be able to contribute to the development of operational solutions and improvements e.g. safer working practices.
S5:
Gather system data to enable the correct selection of operational resources that may be required e.g. access equipment (ladders, scaffold or cherry picker).
S6:
Complete work task risk assessments and develop work plans and method statements for the task(s) involved.
S7:
Ensure the suitability and correct operating condition of resources and equipment for the work tasks involved. This can include test equipment, chemical dosing equipment, water pumps and other specialised equipment.
S8:
Identification of suitable sampling and application points in a water system
S9:
Assessment of relevant test parameters and sampling plan for specific water systems
S10:
Performance assessment and evaluation of water system conditions and operations utilising specific monitoring equipment
S11:
Application of water treatment programmes to specific water system types e.g. cooling towers, steam boilers, heating and chilled systems etc.
S12:
Interpretation of test results and development of treatment programme improvements and recommendations
S13:
Identify, evaluate and resolve practical and technical problems encountered, assess suitability of the chemical and physical water treatment options employed and implement the required improvements to the treatment programme or service delivery.
S14:
Use resources effectively including their own time management, the appropriate competence of staff chosen for the operation involved, the efficient use of staff resources and management of equipment required for specific work tasks.
S15:
Communicate effectively. Use oral, written, electronic and IT based methods and systems for the accurate communication of technical information to other staff involved and all levels of site management. Review this information and agree actions with the relevant people involved. This can include the use, management and training with regard to electronic log systems for the storage of water system sampling and analytical results, practical demonstration of testing procedures and presentation of reports.
S16:
Maintain level of competence commensurate with job role. Identify and recognise personal training needs and undertake suitable training when required. Complete and record CPD necessary to maintain and enhance competence.
S33:
Complete water system surveys and produce system diagrams appropriate for the direction and management of a cleaning/disinfection project
S34:
Understand and apply chemical cleaning and disinfection programmes for specific water systems
S35:
Install, commission and service temporary operations equipment required to complete the project e.g. flushing pump stations, side stream filtration, cooling tower packing
S36:
Assess the performance and progress of a water treatment cleaning/disinfection operation by sample analysis and make adjustments to the programme as required
S37:
Supervise a team of Water Treatment Operatives and any associated subcontractors.
S38:
Produce a method statement and control scheme to manage the health, safety and environment during the various phases of a project.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0453: Water treatment technician - Water Treatment Operations Supervisor (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0453C
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £32,351 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 8134 Water and sewerage plant operatives
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 8134/02 Water treatment operatives
- 1254/04 Sewage works and water treatment managers
- 8134/01 Water and sewerage distribution operatives
- 8134/99 Water and sewerage plant operatives n.e.c.
B1:
Act professionally demonstrating dependability, determination, honesty and integrity. Respect others, act ethically and contribute to sustainable development.
B2:
Be risk aware so as to help reduce risks by checking of information, concentration on the task, and awareness of changing circumstances on activity.
B3:
Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated, proactive approach to work, willing to make independent decisions and develop solutions and improvements to work practices
B4:
Be prepared to work reliably and safely, and supervise the safe and effective operation of others.
B5:
Be prepared to work effectively and efficiently maintaining good relationships with colleagues, clients, suppliers and the public.
B6:
Be receptive to feedback, willing to learn new skills and adjust to change.
B7:
Demonstrate adherence to corporate policies on ethics, equality and diversity
Technical Educational Products
- ST0453: Water treatment technician - Water Treatment Operations Supervisor (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0453C
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £32,351 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 8134 Water and sewerage plant operatives
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 8134/02 Water treatment operatives
- 1254/04 Sewage works and water treatment managers
- 8134/01 Water and sewerage distribution operatives
- 8134/99 Water and sewerage plant operatives n.e.c.
