Water network operative

This is not the latest approved version of this apprenticeship. View the latest version

This apprenticeship has been retired

This apprenticeship is being revised. In the meantime, the version below remains approved for delivery. Further details of this and other apprenticeships in revision are available in the revisions status report.

Overview of the role

Construct, maintain and repair water network infrastructure, to provide a reliable supply/service to domestic, commercial and industrial users.

Details of standard

This standard has options. Display duties and KSBs for:

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the utilities sector, in clean water and waste water industries. Water network operatives typically work in only one of the water industries, although some multi-utility workers may work across both. They work for utility owners, operators or contractors, ranging in size from small to large companies.

This is a core and options apprenticeship standard. Apprentices will need to complete the core and one option:
1. Clean water network operative.
2. Waste water network operative.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to construct, maintain and repair water network infrastructure, to provide a reliable supply/service to domestic, commercial and industrial users. Clean water infrastructure includes mains pipes, water supply pipes, stop taps, fire hydrants and sluice valves for clean water operations; and in waste water operations: drains and sewers, chambers, interceptors, flow control devices and storage tanks. In both occupations the work is both planned - construction and maintenance, and reactive - repairs and emergencies. They ensure the site is safe for work, which may include traffic management and control, complete site excavation and restore the site to a safe condition. They use a range of powered equipment and hand tools, for example diggers.

Depending on the work required, they may spend the day at one site or work across a number of sites. Work locations may include new build sites, public highways or domestic properties. They are required to work in all weather conditions. They may need to work shifts, standby and unsociable hours.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues, such as managers, network technicians and engineers, delivery drivers, reinstatement teams and administration staff. They usually work in a small team - typically with one or two other operatives, responsible for their own work, reporting to managers but not under direct supervision. On a site they may also interact with site agents and other trades. They will communicate with clients/customers regarding work that is being undertaken and in some situations the general public. They may also liaise with personnel from statutory authorities, such as the Highways Authority, local authorities and the Environment Agency. When working in emergency situations, they may liaise with emergency services personnel.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for completing work to the required standard, following procedures and ensuring Health & Safety and regulatory compliance, for example with the Drinking Water Inspectorate, The Water Services Regulation Authority (OFWAT) and Environment Agency etc; failure to do so could have serious consequences for self, public health and the environment. Recording and reporting on work completed is an important part of the job, which may include completion of paperwork or computerised records, drawings and providing site photographs. They are expected to present a professional image of the company. They are responsible for ensuring their tools and equipment are fit for use, correctly stored and maintained. Depending on their level of experience, they may be responsible for leading the team.

Water network operatives need to be qualified and on the Street Works Register. Typically, a driving license will be required as they may be expected to drive to their place of work, using a company vehicle. In addition, clean water network operatives must hold a Water Hygiene Card. Some water network operatives may require a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) Card and/or SHEA (Safety, Health and Environmental Awareness) Gas Passport Card.

Typical job titles include:

Mains layer Repair and maintenance operative Service layer Utility operative Water operative

Core occupation duties

Duty	KSBs
Duty 1 Prepare for water network infrastructure work to meet clients'/customers' requirements and priorities for example, identify and obtain plant, equipment and materials.	K1 K2 K5 K6 K11 S2 S3 S4 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 2 Conduct risk assessments for water network infrastructure work.	K1 K2 K3 K11 S1 S4 B1 B3 B5 B6
Duty 3 Set up and maintain site for water network infrastructure work for example, traffic management and control, cable/conductor detection and avoidance.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K7 S5 S7 S8 B1 B4 B5 B6
Duty 4 Excavate site for water network infrastructure work.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K8 S2 S4 S6 S8 S14 B1 B3 B5 B6
Duty 5 Restore water network infrastructure site to a safe condition to meet clients'/customers' requirements, for example backfill, signing and guarding.	K1 K2 K3 S2 S4 S5 S15 S16 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 6 Keep water network stakeholders informed for example, explain to customers’ work to be undertaken/taken.	K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 S11 B3 B4
Duty 7 Complete water network infrastructure records/documentation (written or digital), for example work sheets, time-sheets, drawings, risk-assessments and safety documentation.	K11 K12 S15 B3 B5
Duty 8 Look after tools and equipment used in water network infrastructure work.	K1 K2 K5 K6 S9 S10 B1 B3 B4 B5

Option duties

Clean water network operative duties

Duty	KSBs
Duty 9 Install clean water network infrastructure for example, new mains, water supply pipes, boundary boxes and meters.	K1 K2 K3 K14 S2 S4 S7 S9 S12 S13 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 10 Clean water network operative. Restore functionality of clean water network infrastructure for example, clean to a hygienic standard prior to testing.	K1 K2 K3 K14 K18 S4 S23 S25 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 11 Clean water network operative. Conduct repairs to clean water network infrastructure (reactive) for example, under-pressure repair and asset repair (valves/ hydrants etc).	K1 K2 K3 K15 S2 S4 S12 S13 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S24 S25 S26 S27 S28 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 12 Clean water network operative. Respond to clean water network infrastructure emergencies and take emergency action for example, repair overland supply pipes, provide alternative supplies equipment (tankers), conduct under-pressure line stopping and diversion.	K1 K2 K3 K9 K10 K11 K12 K16 K17 S1 S4 S29 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 13 Clean water network operative. Apply hygiene procedures to water infrastructure in line with national water hygiene regulations - sanitation.	K1 K2 K3 K14 K15 S2 S23 B1 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 14 Clean water network operative. Conduct chlorination activities of water infrastructure.	K1 K2 K3 K14 S2 S23 B1 B3 B4 B5 B6

Waste water network operative duties

Duty	KSBs
Duty 15 Waste water network operative. Install/construct waste water network infrastructure (planned) for example, gravity and pressurised (foul and storm).	K1 K2 K3 K19 S2 S4 S7 S9 S12 S13 S14 S30 S31 S39 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 16 Waste water network operative. Restore functionality of waste water network infrastructure for example, tankering operations and over-pumping	K1 K2 K3 K19 S2 S7 S33 S36 S37 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 17 Waste water network operative. Conduct repairs to waste water network infrastructure (reactive) for example, replacing man-hole cover.	K1 K2 K3 K19 K20 S2 S12 S30 S32 S34 S35 S39 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 18 Waste water network operative. Respond to waste water network infrastructure emergencies and take emergency action for example, pollution control, flood prevention.	K1 K2 K3 K9 K10 K11 K12 K21 K22 S1 S4 S37 S38 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 19 Waste water network operative. Undertake hygiene measures for example, leptospirosis, gastroenteritis.	K1 K2 K3 K23 S2 S4 S40 B1 B3 B5 B6

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: Health and safety practice: risk assessments and safe systems of work, permits to work, working in confined spaces, personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling. Back to Duty

K2: Health and safety regulations and procedures: Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, Working at Heights, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), first aid, fire safety. Types and uses of asbestos and where they may come into contact; safe work practices, control measures, and protective equipment needed to undertake asbestos mains work. Back to Duty

K3: Environmental requirements; Environment Protection Act 1990. Back to Duty

K4: Principles and processes that underpin the location of utility network assets; health and safety guidance on avoiding damage to underground utility services. Back to Duty

K5: Checks and operational requirements for commonly used utility network operations equipment and tools: utility location equipment/tools, pneumatic gun, hand/power tools – power disc cutter, chain saw, drills. Back to Duty

K6: Before/after use checks, maintenance and storage requirements for commonly used utility network operations equipment and tools: utility location equipment/tools, pneumatic gun, hand/power tools – power disc cutter, chain saw, drills. Back to Duty

K7: Principles of traffic management and control. Back to Duty

K8: Excavation techniques: open cut, moling, vacuum extraction; and trench support techniques: proprietary systems, sheeting and mechanical. Back to Duty

K9: Emergency services, Highways authorities, Environment Agency; who they are, what they do; escalation procedures. Back to Duty

K10: Industry structure and regulatory requirements; Drinking Water Inspectorate, The Water Services Regulation Authority (OFWAT), regulatory surveys. Back to Duty

K11: Reporting channels; limits of authority. Back to Duty

K12: Communication techniques – written, verbal; customer service techniques. Back to Duty

K13: Equality & diversity considerations in the workplace. Back to Duty

K14: Procedures for the construction and connection of clean water network assets (mains and services). Back to Duty

K15: Procedures for the repair of mains clean water network assets. Back to Duty

K16: Procedures for clean water network emergencies. Back to Duty

K17: Consequences of flooding and pollution, on people and the environment. Back to Duty

K18: Clean water network operative. Principles of taking water samples. Back to Duty

K19: Procedures for the construction and connection of waste water network assets (mains and services). Back to Duty

K20: Procedures for repairs in waste water: mechanical and patches (hot, cold and ultraviolet). Back to Duty

K21: Procedures for dealing with emergencies, internal contamination flooding (DG5), pollution (Category 1-4). Back to Duty

K22: Consequences of waste water flooding and pollution, on people and the environment. Back to Duty

K23: Decontamination risks and mitigations; biological hazards. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Identify hazards and implement controls to reduce risks; comply with method statements. Back to Duty

S2: Interpret work instructions/engineering instructions and determine actions. Back to Duty

S3: Identify and organise resources to undertake activities. Back to Duty

S4: Comply with workplace health, safety & environmental policy and practice; use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment. Back to Duty

S5: Check signing, lighting and guarding; address issues if required. Back to Duty

S6: Dig holes for utility network services. Back to Duty

S7: Monitor and maintain site conditions; good housekeeping. Back to Duty

S8: Identify, locate and avoid utility supply apparatus and sub-structures. Back to Duty

S9: Select, check and operate equipment and tools; report faults if required. Back to Duty

S10: Maintain and store equipment and tools, for example charge batteries, clean equipment, grease machines, re-fuel. Back to Duty

S11: Communicate with colleagues and/or stakeholders, for example, statutory agencies and members of the public, customers. Back to Duty

S12: Use breathing apparatus. Back to Duty

S13: Use gas detection equipment. Back to Duty

S14: Carry out trench installation for example, sheeting, lightweight and proprietary systems. Back to Duty

S15: Record information, for example job reports, time sheets. Back to Duty

S16: Backfill and reinstate road and/or pavement surfaces after water network construction/repair. Back to Duty

S17: Carry out squeeze off activities to clean water services (Clean water). Back to Duty

S18: Join materials by electro-fusion. Back to Duty

S19: Join materials by butt fusion processes. Back to Duty

S20: Join materials by mechanical means on clean water services, for example encapsulation, straight, ferrule, flange connections. Back to Duty

S21: Clean water. Drill and tap clean water services. Back to Duty

S22: Install water supply services. Back to Duty

S23: Conduct disinfection procedures for clean water mains and services. Back to Duty

S24: Conduct repairs to clean water asbestos mains . Back to Duty

S25: Conduct pressure and soundness (integrity of pipework) testing to clean water services. Back to Duty

S26: Use flow and line stopping procedures. Back to Duty

S27: Repair water network equipment, for example hydrants, values, boundary boxes. Back to Duty

S28: Clean water network operative. Use pumps and dewatering equipment. Back to Duty

S29: Apply clean water network emergency procedures. Back to Duty

S30: Join materials by flexible seals on waste water services. Back to Duty

S31: Install waste water supply services. Back to Duty

S32: Prepare pipework for lining. Back to Duty

S33: Prepare for rodding activities for example, break out concrete or manhole point. Back to Duty

S34: Conduct repairs on waste water asbestos pipes. Back to Duty

S35: Repair and maintain pressurised pipes on rising mains. Back to Duty

S36: Use mitigation methods to maintain flow on waste water networks flow, for example stopping or diverting. Back to Duty

S37: Use pumps and dewatering equipment to mitigate and maintain flow in the network. Back to Duty

S38: Apply waste water network emergency procedures. Back to Duty

S39: Apply cure in place patches. Back to Duty

S40: Decontaminate equipment, tooling and PPE. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Prioritises health, safety and environment when undertaking work. Back to Duty

B2: Adaptable, for example willing to accept changing priorities and working requirements. Back to Duty

B3: Team player, for example keeps others informed, recognises personal and professional limitations and seeks advice when necessary, takes account of equality and diversity in interactions. Back to Duty

B4: Professional, for example wears work attire according to company requirements, polite and courteous, maintains security of business specific and personal data. Back to Duty

B5: Self-motivated, for example manages own time effectively, takes responsibility to complete the job. Back to Duty

B6: Pride in work, for example works to agreed quality targets and standards. Back to Duty

B7: Committed to continued professional development. Back to Duty

Qualifications

English and Maths

English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.

Additional details

Occupational Level:

Duration (months):

Review

this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

End-point assessment (EPA plan)

Rigorous robust and independent assessment undertaken by an apprentice at the end of training to test that the apprentice can perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, and knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) set out in the occupational standard

End-point assessment organisation (EPAO)

An organisation approved to deliver end-point assessment for a particular apprenticeship standard. EPAOs must be on the register of end-point assessment organisations

Holistic or synoptic

Assessment of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in an integrated way i.e. assessing several KSBs at the same time

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB)

What is needed to competently undertake the duties required for an occupational standard

Valid

Referred to in relation to assessment methods; fit for purpose

Change request policy

Most changes to an apprenticeship are made as a result of a holistic review of it. We prioritise the need for such reviews based on a range of factors. These include:

the time since the apprenticeship was developed or last reviewed (taking account of its typical duration)
the existence of any known problems with it (e.g. lower than expected starts, low achievement rate, high withdrawal rate, any issues with the availability of training or end-point assessment provision)
whether the apprenticeship is currently subject to a dispensation
the relative significance of the apprenticeship based on how many users it has

The availability of an employer group to support a review and its potential impact on any related technical education product also inform the timing of a review.

Details of apprenticeships that are currently being revised or adjusted are available in our revisions and adjustments status report.

Status: Retired

Level: 2

Reference: ST0898

Version: 1.0

Date updated: 31/10/2022

Route: Engineering and manufacturing

Typical duration to gateway: 18 months (this does not include EPA period)

Maximum funding: £6000

Options: Clean water network operative, Waste water network operative

LARS Code: 568

EQA Provider: Ofqual

Employers involved in creating the standard: Anglian Water, Balfour Beatty, Clancy Group, Highways utilities, Kier, Morrison Utility Services, Northumbrian Water, SES Water, Severn Trent, Southern Water, Thames Water, United Utilities, Wessex Water

Print the occupational standard (including PDF)

Version log

Version	Change detail	Earliest start date	Latest start date
1.2	Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised	26/09/2024	Not set
1.1	Standard and end-point assessment plan revised	11/11/2022	25/09/2024
1.0	Approved for delivery	17/06/2020	10/11/2022

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