Water Technology

Water Technicians may work on the supply of water, or the treatment of wastewater, or on both simultaneously or sequentially.

Water Supply Engineering Technicians work in municipal and industrial water supply companies. They carry out their work independently on the basis of technical documents and rules as well as on legal bases. Water Supply Technicians procure information, plan, and coordinate their work. They document their services and take measures to ensure quality assurance, safety, health, and environmental protection at work.

They may work in large or small facilities for processing drinking water, performing a range of technician duties in larger ones, and management roles in smaller ones.

Wastewater Technicians work in the area of drainage networks as well as in wastewater and sewage sludge treatment in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. They also carry out their work independently on the basis of technical documents and regulations as well as legal requirements. They acquire information, plan, and coordinate their work. They document their services and take measures to ensure quality assurance, safety, health, and environmental protection at work. They are electro-technically qualified personnel. As with the Water Supply Engineering Technician, in larger facilities they may have wide-ranging technician roles, while in small facilities they may be classed as managers.

For the treatment of wastewater, the Water Technician may work in

• Municipal and industrial wastewater discharge facilities, and/or
• Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities.

Whether working with water support or wastewater treatment, the role of the Water Technician is to observe, identify, protocol, report, maintain, control and repair equipment and processes throughout the plant and the networks. For this purpose, they must have knowledge and expertise in mechanics, chemistry, biology, electrical, automation and environmental protection. Above all, health and safety matters most.

Irrespective of where they work, and their particular responsibilities, the Water Technician’s role is driven by the absolute requirement for quality in many respects, including:

• Continuity, consistency, and safety of supply
• Safe removal, treatment, and recycling of wastewater
• Environmental protection.

Since water is the world’s most critical resource, the importance of this occupation and the quality of those fulfilling it, is second to none.