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Key information

  1. Status: Retired
  2. Reference: ST1291
  3. Version: 1.0
  4. Level: 3
  5. Options: Water treatment process technician, Wastewater treatment process technician
  6. Typical duration to gateway: 36 months
  7. Typical EPA period: 4 months
  8. Maximum funding: £16000
  9. Route: Engineering and manufacturing
  10. Date updated: 30/06/2023
  11. Lars code: 685
  12. EQA provider: Ofqual
  13. Review: this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

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Apprenticeship summary

Overview of the role

Maintain site process standards for water or wastewater.

Occupation summary

Water treatment process technicians work in the water industry.

Water industry treatment process technicians work for clean water or wastewater (sewerage) treatment companies regulated by OFWAT - Office of Water Services (UK government). Technicians typically work in only one type of treatment stream.

Employers in the industry range from small to large but are mainly large.

This is a core and option apprenticeship. Apprentices will be trained and assessed against the core and one option. There are two options:

Option 1. Water treatment process technician

Option 2. Wastewater treatment process technician

Technicians work at treatment sites. They may be required to drive between sites.

They work in all weather conditions.

As a 24 hour and seven days a week operation, they may need to undertake standby duties and work shifts outside normal working hours.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to maintain site process standards for water or wastewater.

Water treatment technicians maintain and ensure the safe supply of drinking water. This involves abstraction of raw water, treatment, and supply into distribution network. They ensure a balance between water production with network demand. They also manage and operate waste processes onsite such as, sludge management, offsite discharges, and general wastes (oils, paper, and food). 

Wastewater treatment technicians maintain the removal and treatment of wastewater. They monitor and maintain wastewater treatment processes including preliminary (for example, storm), primary settlement, biological and chemical treatment, tertiary, and sludge treatment. They manage sludge preparation and storage and liaise with sludge processing facilities.

Both roles seek to optimise processes to maximise efficiency and compliance. They respond to and resolve process failure or failures. They manage asset maintenance and faults: directly or via escalation. Maintaining documentation is also an important part of the role. They support develop other members of the team.

In their daily work, they interact with process operatives, other technicians, and stakeholders from teams across water services, or the wider business. This may include maintenance, water quality, and regional control rooms. They may also interact with external stakeholders. This may include representatives from the Environmental Agency, and Health and Safety Executive.

They typically report to a treatment manager or site manager. They work with minimal supervision. They may work as part of a team and alone.

They are responsible for meeting quality, regulatory, safety, security, and environmental requirements. They ensure the health and safety of self and others including ensuring hygiene practices are followed. They need to consider how their work has the potential to impact customer service and the company - financially and reputationally.

Water treatment process technicians must take account of The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations. 

Wastewater treatment process technicians must take account of Environmental Quality Standards for effluent discharge and air quality.

UK water companies require individuals entering clean water sites or working on the clean water network – known as ‘Restricted Operations’, to hold a National Water Hygiene EUSR registration: Blue card. This involves training and assessment, and health screening.

Typical job titles include:

Recycling technician Green leaf Sewage production operator Green leaf Treatment works controller Green leaf Wastewater process controller Green leaf Wastewater treatment process technician Green leaf Water process controller Water process technician Water production operator Water treatment process technician

Duties

  • Duty 1 Seek ways to optimise processes. For example, operational expenditure, compliance, and tighter restrictions on regulatory parameters.
  • Duty 2 Respond to alarms.
  • Duty 3 Supervise chemical deliveries.
  • Duty 4 Co-ordinate work activities and site response with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Duty 5 Manage asset maintenance: directly or via escalation. For example, equipment validation or calibration.
  • Duty 6 Resolve faults and problems on process streams, systems, equipment, instruments, and control systems: directly or via escalation. Identify action to prevent reoccurrence of the issue(s).
  • Duty 7 Complete site safety and security activities. For example, complete site security checks, and site safety inductions.
  • Duty 8 Ensure vital safety equipment is maintained and available for use. For example, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), harnesses, and first aid kits.
  • Duty 9 Maintain documentation - records and reports. For example, validation records, and site visit records.
  • Duty 10 Action response to incidents. For example, out of compliance, toxic gas leaks, chemical or fuel spills.
  • Duty 11 Maintain site standards and conditions (site ownership). For example, free from hazards, good housekeeping.
  • Duty 12 (Water treatment process technician) Manage routine activities to maintain and ensure safe supply of drinking water – abstraction, treatment, and supply into distribution network.
  • Duty 13 (Water treatment process technician) Maintain water quality site process standards.
  • Duty 14 (Water treatment process technician) Monitor control systems and respond to ensure balance between water production with network demand.
  • Duty 15 (Water treatment process technician) Respond to and resolve water treatment process failure(s) or problem(s). For example, coagulation failure or disinfection failure. Identify action to prevent reoccurrence of the issue(s).
  • Duty 16 (Water treatment process technician) Manage and operate waste processes onsite such as, sludge management, offsite discharges, and general wastes (oils, paper, and food).
  • Duty 17 (Water treatment process technician) Manage and control emergency process response. For example, run to waste.
  • Duty 18 (Water treatment process technician) Assist with process stream and full treatment works shutdown for routine planned maintenance and in emergencies.
  • Duty 19 (Wastewater treatment process technician) Manage routine activities to maintain removal and treatment of wastewater.
  • Duty 20 (Wastewater treatment process technician) Maintain wastewater quality site process standards.
  • Duty 21 (Wastewater treatment process technician) Monitor and maintain wastewater treatment processes including preliminary (for example, storm), primary settlement, biological and chemical treatment, tertiary, and sludge treatment.
  • Duty 22 (Wastewater treatment process technician) Manage sludge preparation and storage and liaise with sludge processing facilities.
  • Duty 23 (Wastewater treatment process technician) Respond to and resolve process failure(s) or problem(s). For example, divert flows, escalate, process stream shut down and isolation, and take samples. Identify action to prevent reoccurrence of the issue(s).
  • Duty 24 (Wastewater treatment process technician) Maintain pumping operations including associated equipment and control systems.

Apprenticeship summary

ST1291, water industry treatment process technician level 3


This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.

Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA. 

The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 36 months. The EPA period is typically 4 months.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

  • fail
  • pass
  • merit
  • distinction

When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.

EPA gateway

The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.



The gateway requirements for your EPA are:

  • achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
  • for the interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, you must submit a portfolio of evidence

Assessment methods


Observation with questions


You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 6 hours. They will ask you at least 6 questions.





Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence


You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 12 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.



Multiple-choice test

You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.

The test will have 50 multiple-choice questions. You will have 90 minutes to complete it.



The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.

Who to contact for help or more information

You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.



You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.

You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.


Reasonable adjustments


If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.


Professional recognition

This apprenticeship aligns with The Institute of Water for Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech). The experience gained and responsibility held by the apprentice on completion of the apprenticeship will either wholly or partially satisfy the requirements for registration at this level.

Please contact the professional body for more details.

This apprenticeship aligns with The Institute of Water for Engineering Technician (EngTech). The experience gained and responsibility held by the apprentice on completion of the apprenticeship will either wholly or partially satisfy the requirements for registration at this level.

Please contact the professional body for more details.

This apprenticeship aligns with The Science Council for Registered Science Technician (RSciTech). Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and upon receipt of the apprenticeship certificate, individuals are eligible to apply for RSciTech through a shortened application route. Individuals also need to be a member of a professional body that is licensed by the Science Council to be awarded this status. Further information is on the Science Council’s website.

Please contact the professional body for more details.

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Employers involved in creating the standard: Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent Water, South West Water, Thames Water, United Utilities, Wessex

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.1 Standard and end-point assessment plan revised 30/06/2023 Not set
1.0 Approved for delivery 13/09/2022 29/06/2023

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