All You Wanted To Know About Water Pollution Control Technician

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Water pollution control technicians help to determine sources of water pollution and methods of reducing it. Clean water is important in many aspects of life, such as health, recreation, fish and wildlife, and commerce. It is the job of these technicians to ensure a clean water supply. Water pollution control technicians collect samples from natural water bodies like lakes, rivers, streams, and reservoirs; from industrial sites; and sewage treatment facilities to perform chemical and physical tests to identify the purity of the water. In public health alone, an army of water pollution control technicians monitor drinking water supplies, purification plants, and waste disposal plants to keep these facilities operating within the strict guidelines of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Clean Water Act.

Most water pollution control technicians work as water treatment plant operators, who treat water so it is safe to drink, and waste water treatment plant operators, who remove harmful pollution from domestic and industrial waste water. In both of these occupations, operators control processes and equipment to remove solid materials, chemical compounds, and microorganisms from water to render it harmless or safe to drink. Operators control pumps, valves, and other processing equipment and use gauges, wrenches, pliers, and other tools to maintain and operate water control systems. They read and interpret meters and gauges to make sure plant equipment and processes are working properly. They operate chemical feeding devices; take samples of water or waste water; perform chemical and biological laboratory analyses; and test and adjust the level of chemicals added to the water.

Water and waste water treatment plant operators increasingly rely upon computers to help monitor equipment and processes, and analyze test results. They must be familiar with the operation of computers and the monitoring devices that are connected to these systems. They often use specialized soft ware to record and check sampling results. If problems occur, they can quickly retrieve data in order to determine the cause of the malfunction.



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EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The minimal educational requirements for a career as a water treatment operator or a waste water treatment operator is a high school diploma. Because of the hands-on nature of the work, most operators are trained on the job. There are, however, some skills and knowledge that employers look for in prospective employees. Because of the increasing use of computers, operators should have taken high school computer courses or have an understanding of the operation of these machines. In addition, employers prefer those who have had high school courses in chemistry, biology, and advanced mathematics.

There are one-year certificate programs and at least 60 two-year associate's degree programs in water pollution control offered at technical schools and community colleges. Courses leading to a certificate or degree teach the technical aspects of running a water or waste water treatment plant. Employers prefer to hire college-trained technicians because they are trained specifically in the water treatment field. As the operation of these plants becomes more complex, employers are increasingly requiring educational training beyond high school.

Most state water pollution control agencies require their employees to attend continuing education courses, and in many cases offer these classes at the plant or pay at least partial tuition at local colleges. These courses cover the principles of treatment processes and process control, laboratory procedures, odors and their control, safety, chlorination, sedimentation, biological oxidation, sludge treatment and disposal, and flow measurements. The completion of these courses can lead to an associate's degree in science or engineering, which in turn can lead to greater employment opportunities.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS

In most states, water and waste water treatment plant operators must be certified; voluntary certification programs are in effect in the remaining states. Typically, different classes of certification apply to different-sized treatment plants. Operators of a simple plant serving a small town, for example, may

Stationary Engineer Chemical Plant Operator Petroleum Plant Operator Biological Technician need a high school diploma, one year of on-the-job experience, and be required to take a written examination, while the operator of a large and complex municipal treatment facility may need four years of experience, a number of specific technical classes, and be required to take a more difficult examination. For further information on certification procedures, check with the state board of licensing or the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), listed at the end of this chapter. The ABC seeks to establish uniform certification requirements and reciprocity of certification for water utilities and pollution control operations across the nation.

SETTING

Water treatment facilities are located in every part of the country in both urban and rural areas. Water and waste water treatment plant operators work both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. They may be exposed to noisy machinery and some unpleasant odors, although chlorine and other chemicals are used to minimize these odors. Operators sometimes use dangerous chemicals, so safety procedures must be followed carefully. This type of work requires operators to be in good physical condition because they are required to lift heavy objects, stoop, and climb slippery ladders to do their work.

Most operators work a 40-hour week. Because plants operate continuously for 24 hours every day, operators work one of the three eight-hour shifts, and often weekends and holidays, on a rotational basis.

EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS AND MAJOR EMPLOYERS

The growing population and rapid expansion of urban and suburban areas are expected to increase demand for water and waste water treatment services. As new plants are constructed to meet these demands, employment of these operators will increase. Also, many older plants are being reconditioned and expanded; this will create new job openings. In addition, many job openings occur as experienced operators transfer to other occupations or retire.

Although local government has traditionally been the largest employer of water and waste water treatment plant operators, increased reliance on private firms specializing in the operation and management of water and waste water treatment facilities should shift some employment demand toward these companies. Increased water-monitoring activities by manufacturing firms should also create new job opportunities. Employment in this field is little affected by economic and employment swings because water services are essential.
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