SOUTH AFRICA 路 SALARY IN RANDS

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Plant Operator
  • Process Operator (Process Op)
  • Relief Operator
  • SCADA Operator (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Operator)
  • Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator (WWTP Operator)
  • Wastewater Operator (WW Operator)
  • Water Control Dispatcher
  • Water Plant Operator
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What do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators do?

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are responsible for the effective operation and maintenance of treatment facilities that process water and wastewater. Their primary role involves monitoring and controlling the equipment and systems used to treat drinking water and wastewater, ensuring that both meet regulatory standards for quality and safety. Operators perform a range of duties, including sampling and testing water quality, adjusting chemical dosages, and operating pumps and valves. They also troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, maintain records of operations, and may be involved in the planning and execution of routine maintenance to enhance the longevity and efficiency of treatment systems. This career is vital in providing communities with clean and safe water while protecting public health and the environment from the potential hazards of untreated wastewater. Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators often work in settings that require adherence to strict safety and environmental regulations, requiring a combination of technical skill, attention to detail, and a commitment to public service.

What the work actually is

  • Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Operations 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.
  • 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.
  • Quality Control Analysis Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Abilities

  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Knowledge

  • 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 methods.
  • Biology Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
Some college, no degree

A normal week

  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Processing Information

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Data base user interface and query software Data logging software 路 Database software 路 Operational Data Store ODS software
  • Industrial control software Human machine interface HMI software 路 Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software 路 Wastewater expert control systems
  • Geographic information system Geographic information system GIS systems

Tools

  • Ultrafiltration equipment Backwash filters 路 Microstrainers 路 Trickling filter beds
  • Mixers or agitators Aerators 路 Agitators 路 Flocculators
  • Chlorine handling equipment Dechlorination equipment 路 Disinfection chlorinators 路 Sulphonators
  • Nitrogen or nitrate or nitrite analyzer Ammonium analyzers 路 Nitrate analyzers
  • Packaged water treatment systems Anaerobic treatment equipment 路 Sequential batch reactors

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn in South Africa?

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators do?

Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids, Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards and Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.