A water or waste water network operative installs, repairs and maintains the pipes bringing in fresh water supplies and the sewers carrying away waste water.

The Work

You could be:

• searching, sometimes using closed circuit television (CCTV), to find breaks in pipes due to frost, soil movement, traffic or roadworks
• switching valves to divert the water supply away from the area of work
• warning customers in advance about operations and cutting off water supply while work is carried out
• using road breaker drills, diggers and lifting equipment, and digging a trench to expose the pipes needing maintenance
• taking out and replacing the faulty section of a pipe, taking care not to break nearby gas pipes and cables; joining up the parts, making sure they are watertight
• refilling the trenches and resurfacing them with tarmac
• cleaning the pipes using rods, high pressure water jets, compressed air or carbon dioxide; installing hydrants, stopcocks and meters
• working inside sewers if they are large enough, having first checked electronically for dangerous gases and availability of oxygen
• carrying out maintenance work at reservoirs and sewage treatment works.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

The salary for apprentices with Scottish Water is currently £19,587 a year. Once qualified, salaries rise to between £21,053 and £28,425 a year (2023). They may earn extra through overtime.

In other companies operatives can earn around £20,000 and go up to £35,000 or more for operatives with several years' experience.

Conditions

• You work outdoors in all weathers, perhaps sometimes in remote areas.
• You often work indoors in places which are dark, cold, wet, noisy, dusty, smelly and dirty.
• You are on 24 hour call out on a rota basis, although normal hours are daytime.
• You are on your feet all day, bending and working sometimes in confined spaces.
• You have to wear protective clothing and occasionally breathing equipment.
• You may be at risk of exposure to dangerous gases and other substances.

Useful Subjects

• Engineering (SCQF Level 6)
• Engineering Science
• Environmental Science

Getting In

• You might enter through a Scottish Water Technical: Repair and Maintenance Modern Apprenticeship.
• For entry to this Apprenticeship you usually need five subjects at National 4 or 5 including English, Maths and science subject. 
• Scottish Water also offer 2-year Repair and Maintenance Traineeships for Water and Waste Water. See their website for more details.
• You may need a driving licence or be working towards one.
• If you have to operate machinery you must be over 18.

Apply for jobs with Scottish Water.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2024

1050

2.2 %

RISE

2029

1073

  United Kingdom

2024

12666

6.4 %

RISE

2029

13477

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What Does it Take?

You need:

• the ability to follow detailed instructions
• the confidence to work alone
• awareness of health and safety
• good observation
• good problem solving skills
• knowledge of local areas
• the ability to deal with the public
• practical skills.

Training

• The Scottish Water Modern Apprenticeship leads to a relevant SVQ at SCQF Level 6.
• You could train on the job and attend college on a day release basis.

Getting On

• There are good opportunities later for progress into technician or incorporated engineer (IEng) level work.
• You could move into promoted posts as a supervisor, a water inspector, an area superintendent or controller or a trainer for new staff.

More Information

You can find more information here at the Energy and Uitilty Skills website.

Video

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.