NOC 92101 · TEER Level 2

Water treatment plant operators

Water treatment plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water.

Also known as:water purification plant operatorwater treatment operatorwater treatment plant operatorwater treatment systems operatorwater utility operatorBasin TenderBiosolids Management Technician (Biosolids Management Tech)Clarifying Plant OperatorDisposal OperatorDisposal Plant OperatorDrinking Water Technician (Drinking Water Tech)Filter TenderFilterer
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Good

Market Demand

school

TEER 2

Skill Level

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ON, YK, NS

Top Provinces

What They Do

  • Water treatment plant operators
  • Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water
  • Monitor and inspect plant equipment and systems to detect equipment malfunctions and to ensure plant systems are operating normally
  • Read flow meters, gauges and other recording instruments to measure water output and consumption levels, bacterial content, chlorine and fluoride levels
  • Collect and test water samples for chemical and bacterial content, analyze test results and instrument readings and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems to ensure quality control
  • Provide verbal or written instructions for process control changes to waterworks system to ensure water produced meets standardized quality requirements
  • Perform security checks in plant and on grounds
  • Respond to public enquiries regarding water quality issues and emergencies
  • Complete and maintain plant logs, reports and statistics
  • May perform minor maintenance or assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery
  • May measure, mix and transport chemicals to maintain feed stocks.

Qualifications

  • checkCompletion of secondary school is required.
  • checkCollege or industry training courses in chemistry, pollution control or related subjects are usually required.
  • checkCertification in water treatment and distribution (level according to the classification of the plant) is required for water treatment plant operators.
  • checkDrinking water certification is required in Quebec and Ontario for operators whose work involves water treatment and distribution.
  • checkCertification in workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), and courses in safety practices may be required.
  • checkOn-the-job training is provided.
  • checkPrevious experience as a worker in the water treatment or wastewater field may be required.

Market Outlook by Province

ON

Ontario

The employment outlook will be Good for water and waste treatment plant operators (NOC 92101) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.What Types of Employers Are Out There?Water, sewage and other systemsWhat are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?Investments to upgrade and expand municipal water and wastewater infrastructure to support population growth, and meet health standards across OntarioWhat Skills Do I Need to Succeed?Certification is mandatory for operators in regulated drinking water systems or wastewater facilities through the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office (OWWCO).Here are some key facts about water and waste treatment plant operators in Ontario: Approximately 3,900 people work in this occupation. Water and waste treatment plant operators mainly work in the following sectors: Utilities (NAICS 22): 65%Management and administrative services (NAICS 55, 56): 6%Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 5% 84% of water and waste treatment plant operators work all year, while 16% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 87% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 13% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 25% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 13% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 40% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Good

Outlook

YK

Yukon

The employment outlook will be Moderate for water and waste treatment plant operators (NOC 92101) in Yukon for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Local training for this occupation is available at Yukon University, which offers the Yukon Water and Wastewater Operator program. The Program is designed for prospective and current operators looking to write the Environmental Operators Certification Program exam (Yukon University, 2025).The federal government is allocating over $3.6M to construct a new water treatment plant in Mount Lorne by summer 2027 (Government of Canada, August 11, 2025).Here are some key facts about water and waste treatment plant operators in Yukon: Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Water and waste treatment plant operators mainly work in the following sectors: Utilities (NAICS 22): 56%Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 24%Other Commercial Services (NAICS 54-56, 81): 20% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 82% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 18% compared to 16% for all occupations45% of water and waste treatment plant operators work all year, while 55% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 83% compared to 49% for all occupations Women: 17% compared to 51% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 31% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 23% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 31% compared to 20% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 19% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Moderate

Outlook

NS

Nova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Moderate for water and waste treatment plant operators (NOC 92101) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about water and waste treatment plant operators in Nova Scotia: Approximately 450 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Water and waste treatment plant operators mainly work in the following sectors: Utilities (NAICS 22): 67%Other management and administrative services (NAICS 55, 56 except 5614 and 5617): 5%Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 5% 83% of water and waste treatment plant operators work all year, while 17% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 86% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 14% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 12% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 22% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 26% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 10% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Moderate

Outlook

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Immigration Pathways

TEER 2 occupations require college education or apprenticeship training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

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Express Entry (FSW)

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Canadian Experience Class

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Provincial Nominee Programs

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Top Companies Hiring

Organizations with the most NOC 92101 openings right now.

Nacsworld

Nacsworld

11 active roles · Ottawa, ON · Nobleton, ON

AECOM

AECOM

7 active roles · London, ON · Saskatoon, SK

Halton - Reg

Halton - Regional government for Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville

6 active roles · Oakville, ON · Burlington, ON

Veolia

Veolia

5 active roles · Fort McMurray, AB · Oakville, ON

Veolia Envir

Veolia Environnement SA

4 active roles · Timmins, ON · Oakville, ON

Stantec IN B

Stantec IN Business Unit

4 active roles · Calgary, AB · Toronto, ON

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