A water or waste water distribution 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 around £15,873 rising to £23,855 by end of the four year apprenticeship. 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 need at least 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.
• A driving licence is useful and may be necessary.
• 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

2018

773

2.7 %

RISE

2023

794

  United Kingdom

2018

7404

3.2 %

RISE

2023

7640

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You need:

• the ability to work alone, unsupervised and to follow detailed instructions
• reliability and awareness of health and safety
• good observation
• a good sense of direction and navigation skills
• knowledge of local area
• ability to deal with the public
• a strong stomach.

Training

• The Scottish Water Modern Apprenticeship leads to a relevant Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) at SCQF Level 6, a Level 2 National Progression Award (NPA) and Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Water Operations.
• You could train on the job and attend college on a day release basis. Glasgow Kelvin College offers HNC Water Operations over 2 years.

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.
• The Open University (OU) gives credit for the HNC in Water Operations into their BA/BSc Open Honours degree. The OU and Heriot-Watt University have worked together to identify pathways through the degree that are relevant to the industry and suitable preparation for the postgraduate MSc in Water and Environmental Management.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.