I am the Chief Water Plant operator in our small town.
Of course, I don't make water.
...people don't see the dot dot dot inferred after I say that...
The dot dot dot means it's only a partial answer.
I am a water plant operator.
I make water safe to drink
and pleasing to the eye and nose
and non-corrosive to pipes and tanks
in quantities required by the customers I provide
including for use in emergencies like when there is a fire
at a reasonable price.
About Water
About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water-covered
and the oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth's water.
before and after each process used in the water treatment plant.
using the results to calculate adjustments to things like
flow rates by turning on or off pumps
chemical doses by adjusting chemical injection controls
Licensing in the United States
Workers at water treatment plants must be licensed by their State under the supervision of the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
OK, not all workers.
Only workers who make decisions to adjust things affecting any process in the plant.
There are various levels of licenses.
In Missouri, they are A, B, C & D (entry level).
You must pass a written test of 100 multiple choice questions.
Then you must accumulate continuing hours of education every 3 years before you can renew your license.
To advance up to C, B and then A
You must accumulate additional years working at a water treatment plant
Can I become a water treatment plant operator?
Quick Answer = Probably.
Each little part of being a water plant operator is fairly straightforward and easy to learn.
It can be a bit overwhelming when you look everything we do.
New people usually attend a 8 week course (meeting 2 days / week for 8 weeks)
We are given 2 large books to study out of.
And you are required to attend, take notes and study!
You have to be able learn some chemistry and math.
You do have to pass the test.
Usually the plant you will be working at will help you by going over information you are struggling with.
There are even a lot of great YouTubes to help you learn the math, chemistry and other things.
Would I want to become a water plant operator?
When I attend a water conference, I look around and there are mostly older people.
If you are younger, that gives you the advantage that a lot of us will be retiring before long.
You might want to consider making this your career.
If you are older, it's not a real physical job.
You might want to consider making this your career until you retire.
There are water plants all around the country and even the world.
You can pretty much pick where you want to live.
It may take awhile for a position to come open in the exact location you want,
but you can usually get close.
Things I personally like about being a water plant operator.
I usually work alone.
It's challenging enough to keep me from being bored.
I have multi-tasking brain, so I as am doing my duties, I am thinking about my next post on Steemit...
Some things to consider:
You might be asked to work any shift during the day.
You might have to work at least some weekends.
In small towns, you might have to also be the wastewater operator.
Or work with the distribution crew maintaining and repairing the pipes connecting to customers.
Benefits are pretty good.
I get paid health insurance and a retirement plan.
I get to attend a conference once a year at a Lake of the Ozarks resort.
And attend 1 or 2 additional classes around the area each year.
How's the pay?
In the US,
average pay in 2016 was $45,760 per year or $22.00 per hour
