" It’s interesting how some of the most important jobs in the state are some of the easiest to forget. Some folks take clean water for granted until flooding or some other event interrupts their service. In my job, we make sure there is safe drinking water that meets regulations and perform water content analysis, which includes maintaining detailed records. I calibrate lab equipment, run tests, and operate technical equipment such as motors, pumps, volt/amp meters, and mechanical tools. I also do regular safety training and inspections to address workplace hazards. I like having different things to do. No two days are alike. I feel good knowing I am part of an important service to the community, even if most of the time they don't know we're here. I work with a good, dedicated group."

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Job Description

SOC Code: 51-8031

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.*

*Source: This information is based on O*NET™ data. O*NET is a trademark registered to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

Top Job Skills:

• Customer service
• Filing documents
• Prepares laboratory reports
• Maintain equipment
• Word processing

General Work Activities:

• Interacting With Others
  • Direct operational or production activities
• Information Input
  • Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products
  • Inspect production equipment
• Work Output
  • Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment
  • Collect samples of materials or products for testing
  • Record operational or production data
  • Maintain production or processing equipment
  • Lubricate production equipment
  • Repair production equipment or tools
  • Clean production equipment
  • Clean work areas

Source: SC Works Online Services (SCWOS)

*All data is factual, but names, Images, and quotations have been adapted to protect the Identity of employees and businesses.

Job Statistics

 

Examples of Workforce Areas with Job Openings

 

• Trident
• Midlands
• Lower Savannah
• Catawba
• Greenville
• Upstate

 

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area.

Examples of Employers with Job Openings

• Charleston Water System
• City of Rock Hill, SC
• Perdue Farms, Inc.
• Department of Public Utilities/City of Orangeburg
• Vulcan Materials Company

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Related Occupations

• Chemical Plant and System Operators
• Power Plant Operators
• Biomass Plant Technicians
• Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

NOTE: All data based on state averages. Information may vary depending on region, experience, and specific employment situation. Last Updated: 2025

Learn More with SCWOS

SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) is the state’s largest job database and provides all of South Carolina's job postings from all major sites, including Monster and Career Builder, in one resource. SCWOS has thousands of positions listed by employers all over the state. To access SCWOS, visit jobs.scworks.org.

Find in-depth breakdowns of occupational statistics such as necessary job certifications, job skills and abilities, current job openings, overview of general work activities, and more by visiting O*NET.org.