AT A GLANCE
Water and Wastewater Technicians are vital to almost every facet of the water and wastewater industry. They work with a wide variety of collection, treatment, and distribution systems and must be skilled in the operating systems for water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment.
Using their technical skills and very specialized trade knowledge of codes, operating licenses and legislation, and technical skills, they ensure the safety of potable water and the safe processing of wastewater to meet public health, environmental, and consumer concerns.
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 bylaws
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work environments for construction careers can be located outdoors or indoors or both. Work hours may vary as well. Some positions are seasonal while others are all year round, but part-time. Other positions are project-based and may require you to work full-time until the project is complete. And, of course there are careers that have full-time hours all year round.
Below is a list of workplaces where you might find opportunities to gain apprenticeship hours and/or experience:
- Municipal water and wastewater facilities
- Environmental departments in mines and other industries
- Solid waste management facilities
- Government
Other conditions: N/A
Source: Apprenticeship Manitoba Handbook and Manitoba Prospects
MINI SKILLS ASSESSMENT
If you answer YES to the questions below, then a career as a Water and Wastewater Technician may be right for you!
- Do you have strong mathematical skills?
- Do you have good oral and written communication skills?
- Are you an analytical thinker?
- Are you good at problem solving?
ESSENTIAL SKILLS PROFILES
The Government of Canada Job Bank has identified Nine Literacy and Essential Skills (Reading, Writing, Document Use, Numeracy, Computer Use, Thinking, Oral Communication, Working with Others, and Continuous Learning).
Below you will find links to the Essential Skills Profiles for this occupation and/or related ones:
WAGES
Minimum for Apprentices Skills Booklet 2016, Skills Canada/Manitoba | $31,200 |
Average for Journey Persons Skills Booklet 2016, Skills Canada/Manitoba | $40,000 – $50,000 |
For more information on apprenticeship wages, click here
TRAINING
Note: To receive the most up-to-date information about satisfying apprenticeship level requirements, contact Apprenticeship Manitoba or visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/apprenticeship/
Water and Wastewater Technician | |
Program Length (Minimum Years) | Water and Wastewater Technician: 4 years (1 + 1 + 1 + 1) Water Distribution Operator: 1 year |
Level Requirements | |
Required Hours for each level (L) | Water and Wastewater Technician: 3,200 hours |
Technical Training/Year (weeks in class) | Water Distribution Operator: 6 weeks Wastewater Treatment Operator: 8 weeks Note: dependent on order of subcomponent trade taken |
Additional Licensing | Yes: All four subcomponents require an Operator in Trainer License |
Trades Qualification Requirements (minimum experience required) | |
Minimum years of experience required (within last 10 years) | Successful completion of 8 Manitoba Conservation exams.
|
Minimum hours experience required | Successful completion of 2 Manitoba Conservation exams. |
Practical Exam required | No |
Compulsory Apprenticeship/Certificate of Qualifications required to work | No |
Red Seal Trade available | No |
ASSOCIATIONS
Click the links below for associations related to this career!
