Water and Wastewater Technician

For more information about this trade, contact the training co-ordinator.

What does a Water and Wastewater Technician do?

Water and Wastewater Technicians are vital to almost every facet of the water and wastewater industry. They must have expertise in a wide variety of skills that are needed in ensuring the safety of potable water and the safe processing of wastewater to meet public health, environmental and consumer concerns.  Water and Wastewater Technicians have very specialized knowledge and technical skills.  Water and Wastewater Technicians rely on their trade knowledge of codes, operating licenses and legislation related to water and wastewater.  Water and Wastewater Technicians must have an extensive knowledge of chemistry, biology, hydrology, hydraulics and systems applications.  A certified Water and Wastewater Technician is trained to:

• receive, store, distribute treated water and read distribution flow meters
• monitor intake facility, sample and test water and operate water treatment systems
• operate, maintain, repair and install new pipeline system
• operate, maintain and install new  wastewater collection systems
• receive wastewater, sample and test wastewater and service primary treatment systems
• service secondary treatment systems and tertiary treatment systems
• service residuals handling systems and disinfection systems
• apply, follow and conform with legislation regulations and by-laws

What skills & abilities are required?

Water and Wastewater Technicians must be skilled in the operating systems for water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment. Water and Wastewater Technicians work with a wide variety of collection, treatment and distribution systems. Water and Wastewater Technicians are involved in a specific process at a facility and routinely involved in a variety of tasks.  Water and Wastewater Technicians must also possess mathematical, communication and problem solving skills in order to monitor, assess and adjust the conditions for the treatment of water and wastewater.  The consequences of their treatment decisions have an effect on public health and safety.  To be successful in their trade, water and wastewater technicians must be able to:

• demonstrate mathematical skills
• demonstrate oral and written communication skills
• demonstrate analytical and  problem solving skills
• demonstrate  ability to work closely with other trades and engineers
•  demonstrate ability to use best practices for the trade, workers, and workplace health and safety

How long is the apprenticeship program?

The apprenticeship is two years consisting of two levels. Practical and technical training is a minimum of 1600 hours per level. About 80 per cent of the time is spent learning practical on-the-job skills under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and 20 per cent consists of learning the theoretical and technical aspects of the trade through a combination of on-line learning and in-school training.

What is taught during in-school/technical training?

During each level of training, apprentices attend periods of school training that is designed to enhance and reinforce the practical experience learned on the job.

Apprentices take technical training during each level of their apprenticeship. Subjects include:

• Mathematics, Trade Science  and Communications related to the trade
• Trade Safety Awareness and Computer Software Applications
• Water Treatment, Water Treatment Laboratory Analysis and  Water Distribution
• Wastewater Collection Systems and Wastewater Treatment
•  Wastewater Treatment Laboratory Analysis
• Hydraulics and Blueprint Reading
• Introduction to Process Control
• Support  Systems

What is the supervision ratio?

As experience comprises the bulk of apprenticeship training, it is essential that each apprentice has on-site access to a skilled journeyperson and receives the attention and guidance necessary to perform the tasks of the trade safely and efficiently.

For every apprentice working in this trade, the employer is required to maintain a 2:1 ratio of apprentices to journeypersons on-site and must ensure that the apprentice is directly supervised by a certified journeyperson in the trade.

What are the entrance requirements?

High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP): Begin your apprenticeship training in high school. A minimum age of 16 years is required.

General Admission: A Grade 12 or equivalent high school academic standing is required, including recommended courses in Math. If you do not hold a high school diploma, you can also qualify as an Access Program Trainee (formerly Mature Student). Prior Learning Recognition and Assessment may be required.

Trades Qualification: If you are experienced in the trade, but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journeyperson based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. A Trades Qualification Application and trade specific work experience form must be submitted. Trades professionals whose entrance readiness is less than that required, must take appropriate upgrading.

For additional details on entrance requirements and how to begin your apprenticeship or obtain certification, see section on "How to Start".

Do I get a certificate?

When you successfully complete all your required levels of practical experience and technical training, you write an provincial examination. You must score at least 70 per cent or better to qualify for a provincial certificate confirming your status as a certified journeyperson.

What salary can I expect as an apprentice?

Regulations under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act establish minimum wage rates for apprentices. Every employer who enters into an apprenticeship agreement with an apprentice must ensure that the apprentice is paid at least the minimum wage rate for that trade.

Apprentices who work for unionized employers are entitled to the wage rate in the collective agreement if it exceeds the pay rates specified in the trade regulation.

Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care and training benefits.

Current wage details are available by downloading the training wage schedule.

What are the career prospects?

Water and Wastewater Technicians will work mainly for municipalities and cities at Water and Wastewater Plants. They can also find employment with industries that require meeting regulatory standards prior to entering municipal water systems. Industry examples include McCain, Simplot and Vale Industries.

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