The world of wastewater management involves a lot of behind-the-scenes manual and technical labor. It’s an essential job that doesn’t get much attention or credit, despite its critical importance to public health, environmental protection and overall quality of life.
So, what does a wastewater maintenance technician do? They are the only line of defense protecting people and environments from human waste, but what exactly does the job entail?
The professional technicians at O&M Solutions are highly skilled in equipment operations, facility management and more. We’re here to support you with any water treatment tasks. Contact us to see how we can help.
Keep reading to learn more about how wastewater maintenance technicians work to treat, monitor, and manage wastewater in a public or private facility.
Maintaining Wastewater Facility Equipment
One of the main things wastewater maintenance technicians do is maintain facility equipment. All technicians must have a working knowledge of all the operating equipment in the facility.
Facility equipment can include:
Electrical systems and structures
Feeders and instruments
Screens
Dewatering equipment
Pumps
Motors
Hoists
Valves
Performing quality control and preventative maintenance on these systems ensures the plant can function optimally. Some of the duties involved in maintaining wastewater facility equipment include:
Developing a maintenance program and schedule
Performing quality control checks on equipment of varying complexity
Locating and repairing leaks
Locating and resolving blockages
Performing disinfection and cleaning protocols for all tools and equipment
Performing preventative maintenance on equipment
Informing supervisors about required repairs
Observing and reporting on the completion of repair work by contractors
Updating preventative maintenance and part inventory
Monitoring and adjusting procedures for correct operation and treatment
Wastewater facilities require constant maintenance. The work to keep them operating is complex and critical to reducing incidents that could have dire consequences on public and environmental health.
Service, Install or Maintain Pumps
All wastewater maintenance technicians are trained to be able to operate, repair and maintain various wastewater equipment. Such equipment includes pumps, pump motors, valves, chlorination equipment, and more.
Service technicians must also routinely perform malfunction checks on equipment and lubricate machinery.
Servicing, disinfecting, testing, sampling, installing and maintaining pumps are all critical tasks. Any leaks or malfunctions must be reported and resolved swiftly. This ensures the systems that keep the plant functioning stay in working order.
Overseeing Equipment Operation
Wastewater maintenance technicians often work on offsite calls as well as in facilities. In order to perform their jobs, technicians must possess a comprehensive knowledge of safety procedures, which they will inspect and enforce at every job site.
Some of the tasks technicians perform during onsite jobs include operating a jet flusher and dump truck. Technicians often conduct sludge removal at job sites. In these cases, they are required to read and record data with regard to the conditions and quantity of removed sludge.
They are also responsible for calculating chemical dosage, usage, flow rates, detention time, and anything else required to perform the job safely and effectively.
When required, a technician may also act as a plant operator.
Troubleshooting Issues
When it comes to wastewater management, even minor problems can cause major concern. For this reason, technicians must be able to assess the status of the facility, troubleshoot and find solutions quickly.
Once a problem has been diagnosed, technicians must correct it to ensure water quality is in accordance with EPA and the local Department of Environment and Conservation standards.
Daily Duties
The daily tasks of a wastewater maintenance technician can vary. Since a large percentage of their time is spent seeking, diagnosing, and solving problems, they may spend their day on-site or conducting preventative maintenance at the facility.
Technicians must be able to perform their duties under limited supervision. They must be committed to performing their duties in all weather conditions, including emergency situations. They are regularly required to perform physically demanding tasks both indoors and outdoors.
One of the tasks most technicians complete daily is paperwork. At a water treatment plant, documentation is required to demonstrate adherence to city, state, and federal guidelines. For this reason, technicians maintain detailed records that include reports, spreadsheets, and historical data.
Daily equipment operations can include heavy machinery such as trucks, tractors, and loaders. Other equipment includes sewer cleaners, pumps, and pressure washers. Technicians may also be required to complete miscellaneous tasks such as repairing or updating manholes, flushing lines, and cleaning the plant.
Technicians may also be responsible for handling citizen concerns and responding to emergency calls on nights, holidays, and weekends.
Can You Hire a Wastewater Maintenance Company?
Wastewater maintenance technicians are highly skilled tradespeople who hold a lot of responsibility for the quality of our water and the preservation of our local ecosystems. The quality of their work ensures that public health is protected from infections caused by untreated human waste.
At O&M Solutions, we provide operations and management solutions for water and wastewater. Our experienced technicians are here to support you. We are trusted by both the public and private sectors in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Positive reviews of our current and past projects have helped us establish a trusted reputation as industry professionals. Our technicians are experienced and ready to take on any problem and provide you with the services you need.
Contact us for more information on our on-site assessment, repairs, and management solutions.