Water treatment technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 2 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A water treatment technician operates and optimises complex water or wastewater treatment processes, ensuring that the water produced consistently meets regulatory quality standards. You will use technical knowledge to troubleshoot process problems, adjust treatment parameters, and keep detailed compliance records. This level 3 apprenticeship is a stepping stone to process engineering, quality management, or site leadership roles in the water sector.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Advanced knowledge of water and wastewater treatment process science
How to interpret laboratory results and take corrective process action
Chemical dosing calculations and safe chemical management
Regulatory frameworks covering drinking water quality and effluent discharge
Process instrumentation, control loops, and SCADA operation
Planned and reactive maintenance of treatment plant and equipment
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Monitor all treatment stages and adjust process controls as needed
Carry out sampling programmes and interpret quality test results
Calculate and adjust chemical doses to maintain water quality
Respond to process alarms and diagnose the root cause
Complete compliance records and regulatory sampling schedules
Carry out planned maintenance checks on pumps and dosing equipment
Brief the oncoming shift on any process events or concerns
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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