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.

Trainee operatives with Scottish Water start on £14,200 a year, rising to between £17,772 and £26,317 a year once qualified. They may earn extra through overtime.

In other companies operatives can earn around £20,000 and go up to £38,000 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.

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. Two Highers or relevant technical qualifications or experience are an advantage.
• 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

2019

766

2.2 %

RISE

2024

783

  United Kingdom

2019

7385

2.6 %

RISE

2024

7575

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

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, a National Progression Award (NPA) and HNC in Water Operations.
• 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.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.