What qualification &/or experience is required for your job?

I currently hold a Certificate 2 in Water Operations and in the future I’d like to complete a Certificate 3 in Water Operations, and then further in the future, like to do and a degree in environmental science.

My advice to school kids is don’t be afraid to apply for jobs even though you think you’re not qualified for them just go for what you’re interested in is the main thing and if this sounds like something that you’d enjoy then consider the water industry.

What pathway of study and or jobs did you take?

I  didn’t think a lot about the water treatment process at school. I joined science as a subject, and this job gives me an opportunity to learn more about the scientific role of the water industry, as well as being able to work outdoors which is really one of the best parts of the job.

How did you get into the water industry?

I didn’t think a lot about the water treatment process before I came to this role you just turn the tap on and the water comes out.

Now I realized what an important job water operators have.

What are the key tasks of your position?

We extract water from the river and treat it to produce drinking water for the town.

I take a lot of samples of water at different stages of the water treatment process and check pH levels, chlorine residual levels, the turbidity of the water, and the color to ensure that the drinking water is safe for the community.

What do you like most about your job?

Being able to work outdoors is really one of the best parts of the job.

What pathway of study and or jobs did you take?

I started my water industry job with Dubbo City Council with no qualifications so they put me through the state government courses run by the office of water in both water and wastewater.

Later I got more wastewater experience with South East Water and Downer Utilities and now I am employed in drinking water treatment with Toowoomba Regional Council.

How did you get into the water industry?

I applied for a water & wastewater operator job with Dubbo Council after working in the mining industry for 11 years with no water experience but worked in mineral processing and laboratories which appealed to them.

What are the key tasks of your position?

Operating a water treatment plant with a capacity of 55 ML per day including laboratory testing.

What do you like most about your job?

The variety in work, both indoor and outdoor work, learning experience, more study is available and reasonable pay.

What pathway of study and or jobs did you take?

I studied Science and worked as a Microbiologist part-time testing water samples, before gaining full-time employment in Gippsland Water’s Water Quality Team.

I moved into a Water Treatment Technician role where I gained my Certificate III in Water Industry Operations.

From there I transferred to the Wastewater group as a technician, before being promoted to Team Leader.

How did you get into the water industry?

I was working as a Microbiologist testing routine water samples from surrounding water authorities. I was interested to learn about the treatment processes that produced these samples and set up some unpaid work experience to gain industry knowledge.

I knew from then on that I wanted to work in the water industry, and have loved any moment since landing my first role.

What are the key tasks of your position?

To lead and support a small team of treatment technicians to ensure regulatory compliance and process optimisations. Help collaborate with engineers to facilitate major maintenance activities and capital upgrades.

What do you like most about your job?

What I enjoy most about my role is the responsibility. My actions will directly impact the health and safety of the receiving environments and public health.

I love collaborating with people to find the best solution to a problem.

What pathway of study and or jobs did you take?

I was lucky enough to get a  traineeship at the Gippsland Water Factory where I completed a Certificate III in Water Operations focusing on both water and wastewater treatment.

After the water factory, I switched to dam maintenance and operations managing various reservoirs within Gippsland Water.

How did you get into the water industry?

I applied for a traineeship advertised in the local paper, I had no past experience or even any idea of the industry.

It was the most terrifying thing I’ve done yet.

What are the key tasks of your position?

Looking after 5 large capacity reservoirs that feed the critical assets in the central Gippsland area.

My role is based around ensuring raw water supply to 3 main-supply water treatment plants.

Additionally ensuring the raw water supply to the main industries in the region including power stations and paper mills.

What do you like most about your job?

My favourite thing about my job is being able to work in some of the most beautiful areas of Gippsland and making an impact on the community.

What pathway of study and or jobs did you take?

I started out as a Junior Engineer straight out of University and progressed from there.

How did you get into the water industry?

I specialised in Water / Wastewater in my final year of University and my name was provided to a Local Council that were looking for an Engineer in that field.

I have remained in Water and Wastewater all my career and love it.

What are the key tasks of your position?

All things water/sewer operations. From water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, dams and catchment, pump stations, and the networks that carry water and sewer safely around communities.

Also a lot of administration, customer focus, and human resource management.

What do you like most about your job?

There is a massive variety in the job and it is always busy. In Local Government Operations, it is all about working together as a team to deliver safe drinking water and delivering sewer in an environmentally friendly manner.

What pathway of study and or jobs did you take?

I completed a plumbing apprenticeship in 1980 with the Gas & Fuel Corporation and worked there until the government of the day sold it off.

I then did 11 years in my own plumbing business specialising in gas installation & maintenance.

How did you get into the water industry?

Two months after starting my own business I was awarded a permanent/part-time contract with the Warrnambool Shire as the Supervisor of the Koroit & Purnim water supplies & assistant for Caramut & Peterborough as well as a storeman for the 4 locations.

Duties involved daily/weekly checks, sampling, maintenance, new mains, emergency repairs & eventually disinfection.

What are the key tasks of your position?

• Liaising with Coordinators & Operators to prepare a list of projects for the Water Plan/Pricing Submission
• Preparing budget estimates for the projects list
• Coordinating the delivery of successful projects with contractors or our teams in-house
• Conducting training for Operators in Treatment & Network operations.
• Coordinating our annual service of disinfection equipment.

What do you like most about your job?

• Getting out in the field & around the plants, catching up with operators, and seeing the satisfaction that they are getting when we deliver the work & equipment for the jobs they need to be done to keep everything up to date & running smoothly.
• Passing on the knowledge I’ve gained over the years to new people as they enter the business and the industry
• Seeing people adapt to the constant changes in the industry to make our work easier & safer

What pathway of study and or jobs did you take?

I did a couple of laboring jobs when l left school and one was with a plumber who had some contacts at the Water Treatment Plant.  I had never really given it a thought as a job and was surprised to see how much goes into producing water for our town.

At shool l had always liked doing things with my hands and the idea of working outside also appealed.

What are the key tasks of your position?

Generally, l monitor, operate, and control the water treatment processes. This includes plant inspections, undertaking routine and breakdown maintenance as well as sampling and testing.

I read and record meters and maintain accurate record and report log checks.

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy the fact that l work on a lot of different aspects of the job, and no 2 days are the same. I take samples and conduct laboratory skills in monitoring the water as it comes through the plant.  Some days we will be undertaking infrastructure maintenance and fixes that require some mechanical skills and can be very rewarding when the facility is operating at an optimal level.