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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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92101.02 – Liquid waste plant operators

Liquid waste plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the treatment and disposal of sewage and wastes.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Waste treatment plant operator

Core competencies

  • Operation and Control to manage treatment processes that remove contaminants and pollutants from sewage and liquid wastes
  • Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment to monitor equipment such as pumps, valves, mixers, aeration systems, clarifiers and sludge dewatering equipment to detect anomalies or malfunctions
  • Control of Settings to adjust machine and system settings precisely during liquid waste treatment processes
  • Multi-Signal Response to react promptly to sensors, alarms and control signals that provide information about various aspects of the treatment process, such as flow rates, chemical levels and equipment status
  • Attention to Detail to meticulously collect and test waste samples, maintain plant logs or reports and perform security checks
  • Knowledge in Water Resources to understand the characteristics, composition and potential contaminants present in sewage and liquid wastes to be able to optimize treatment efficiency

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Liquid waste plant operators

    • Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater treatment, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the flow of sewage through settling, aeration and digestion tanks, and to treat and dispose of sewage and wastes
    • Patrol plant to check pumps, motors, filters, chlorinators and other plant equipment; monitor and read gauges, meters and other recording instruments to detect equipment malfunctions and ensure plant systems and equipment are operating within prescribed limits
    • Test and adjust chemical feed rates to ensure that disinfection processes meet quality standards
    • Collect waste and sewage samples, test and analyze results and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems as required
    • Perform security checks in plant and on grounds
    • Complete and maintain plant logs and reports
    • Perform preventive maintenance on plant equipment to ensure that the facility operates in accordance with required standards
    • May assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery.

Additional information

  • There is limited mobility between water treatment plant and waste plant operators.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

92 – Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and utilities operators and controllers

Sub-major group

921 – Utilities equipment operators and controllers

Minor group

9210 – Utilities equipment operators and controllers

Unit group

92101 – Water and waste treatment plant operators

Occupational profile

92101.02 – Liquid waste plant operators

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.