Course: BFM 203 Water Treatment and Control

Lecture

Operator duties

Operator Duties

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically perform the following tasks:

- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect water or other liquids
- Inspect equipment on a regular basis
- Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges
- Collect and test water and sewage samples
- Record meter and gauge readings and operational data
- Operate equipment to purify and clarify water or to process or dispose of sewage
- Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, filter beds, and other work areas
- Stay current on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations
- Ensure safety standards are met

Source: "Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 9 Mar. 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. &lt;http://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators.htm&gt;

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Regulation No 100, 5 CCR 1003-2, "Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Requirements" can be used as a guide, but operating duties may differ by treatment system.

It is important to understand the distinction between a "Certified Operator" and the "Operator in Responsible Charge" as noted by Regulation 100. A "Certified Operator" means the person who has responsibility for the operation of any water and wastewater facility and is certified in accordance with the provisions of this regulation. For purposes of this regulation, "responsibility for the operation" means making process control and/or system integrity decisions about water quality or quantity that may affect public health or the environment. The "Operator in Responsible Charge" means the person(s) designated by the owner of the water or wastewater facility to be the certified operator(s) who has ultimate responsibility for decisions regarding the daily operational activities of the facility that will directly impact the quality and/or quantity of drinking water, treated wastewater, or treated effluent. The primary differences between the Certified Operator and the ORC are noted in the second definition. The terms "designated by the owner, " who has ultimate responsibility," and "directly impact quality/quantity" give the ORC a much higher level of responsibility and authority than a certified operator.

An "Operator" means any person who performs or supervises tasks pertinent to controlling the operation of a water or wastewater facility, such as

- Controlling the selection of or flow from a source to a water or wastewater facility and controlling the selection of or flow from a water or wastewater facility to a receiving body or system;
- Controlling the processing of raw and/or treated and/or finished water/wastewater;
- Preparing and/or controlling chemical addition for water or wastewater treatment;
- Observing and taking necessary actions in response to variations in operating conditions;
- Interpreting meter and/or gauge readings and adjusting facility processes based on such interpretations;
- Operating valves and/or gates either manually or by remote control;
- Maintaining logs and/or records;
- Collecting and/or analyzing process control samples;
- ensuring proper inspection and testing of new, modified or repaired facilities prior to permitting these facilities to be put into or returned to service;
- Developing and implementing preventative maintenance programs and performing routine maintenance functions for facilities; or
- Overseeing compliance with laws and regulations and reporting as appropriate to facility owners and the Department.

This list is somewhat vague by design. Specific duties will be detailed by the management of each utility, and your duties will be outlined in much more detail.