Water Treatment Plant Operator

The Water Treatment Plant Operator operates sewage treatment, sludge processing, and disposal equipment in wastewater (sewage) treatment plant to control flow and processing of sewage, monitors control panels and adjusts valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate flow of sewage, observes variations in operating conditions and interprets meter and gauge readings, and tests results to determine load requirements.  This worker starts and stops pumps, engines, and generators to control flow of raw sewage through filtering, settling, aeration, and sludge digestion processes, maintains log of operations and records meter and gas readings, gives directions to wastewater treatment- plant attendants and sewage-disposal workers in performing routine operations and maintenance, and may collect sewage sample, using dipper or bottle and conduct laboratory tests, using testing equipment, such as colorimeter.  This person may operate and maintain power-generating equipment to provide steam and electricity for plant.