The primary function of a public water system is to treat source water to meet EPA standards, then deliver it to the consumers under pressure and safe to drink. To do this, a water system needs people who can:
- operate and maintain the machinery of the water treatment plant, especially pumps
- operate and maintain the electronic monitoring components of the plant
- conduct water tests and collect water samples, to ensure that standards are met
- keep careful records and prepare required reports
- maintain the distribution system – the pipes and meters that bring water to the consumers
- handle billing and customer inquiries and complaints
In small water systems, employees may have to do all of these things. In larger systems, the trend is for differentiation into operations, lab, maintenance, and customer service.
Qualifications sought by water systems
A high school diploma is a must. For now, there is no such thing as a degree in "waterology," and colleges offer little in the topic of water treatment. Though the majority of entry level jobs in water treatment do not require a degree, any degree will help to open doors, while a chemistry degree or engineering degree will give you an advantage.