What Do Water Treatment Plant Electricians Do?

Key Takeaways

• Water treatment plant electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems at municipal water and wastewater facilities.
• These positions require knowledge of industrial controls like PLCs, VFDs, and SCADA systems used in water treatment processes.
• Most jobs are with city and county utilities, offering government benefits, predictable schedules, and a more relaxed work environment compared to construction electrical work.
• The industry is growing due to infrastructure upgrades and retiring workers, creating strong opportunities for electricians seeking stable, well-paying careers.

Water treatment plant electrician jobs combine traditional electrical skills with specialized knowledge of water and wastewater treatment systems. With the American Society of Civil Engineers estimating $150 billion needed for water infrastructure improvements nationwide, these positions are becoming increasingly available as communities upgrade aging infrastructure and build new treatment facilities. You yourself may have seen an increase in this job type popping up on online job boards as America continues to invest more in infrastructure construction projects.

What Water Treatment Plant Electricians Do

Water treatment plant electricians handle the electrical systems that keep water treatment facilities running 24/7. Here's what the job involves:

Daily Tasks

• Install and maintain power distribution systems
• Repair pumps, motors, and control equipment
• Program and troubleshoot PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers)
• Work with VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives) for motor control
• Maintain SCADA systems and instrumentation
• Respond to emergency breakdowns and system failures
• Perform preventive maintenance on electrical equipment
• Read electrical blueprints and wiring diagrams

Specialized Equipment

• Motor control centers and electrical panels
• Emergency generators and backup power systems
• Chemical feed system controls
• Pump station electrical equipment
• Water quality monitoring instrumentation
• High-voltage transformers and switchgear
• Fiber optic communication systems

Types of Water Treatment Facilities

Municipal Water Plants Clean raw water from rivers, lakes, and wells to make drinking water. Electrical systems control pumps, filters, and chemical treatment processes.

Wastewater Treatment Plants Process sewage and wastewater. Electricians maintain aeration systems, settling tank equipment, and disinfection controls.

Pump Stations Move water through distribution systems. Require electrical maintenance on pumping equipment and control systems.

Industrial Treatment Plants Handle wastewater from manufacturing facilities. Often need electricians familiar with specialized industrial processes.

Required Water Treatment Electrical Skills and Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• Electrical knowledge and experience (requirements vary by state)
• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver's license
• Physical ability to work in treatment plant environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Industrial electrical experience
• Knowledge of PLCs and motor controls
• Water/wastewater treatment experience
• OSHA safety training
• Two-year electrical technology degree

Technical Skills Needed

• Understanding of three-phase power systems
• Ability to read electrical schematics and blueprints
• Motor control and VFD troubleshooting
• Basic computer skills for SCADA systems
• Knowledge of National Electrical Code

Water Treatment Electrician Work Environment

Schedule: Many plants operate on compressed work weeks (four 10-hour days). Shift work may include evenings, weekends, and on-call rotation.

Physical Conditions: Work both indoors and outdoors at treatment facilities. Exposure to weather, chemicals, and potentially hazardous conditions requires following strict safety procedures. As one electrician notes, you'll need to be comfortable working around "machinery, electricity, and chemicals."

Work Culture: Electricians online describe water treatment electrical work as more "laid back" than construction, with less deadline pressure and more focus on maintenance and problem-solving.

How to Get Started As a Water Treatment Plant Electrician

Direct Application Many electrical contractors post water treatment jobs looking for direct applications from electricians of differing skill levels.

Apprenticeship Programs Some utilities offer apprenticeships combining electrical training with water treatment education.

Job Search Resources

• Municipal government job boards
• Regular job boards like Indeed
• Electrician specific job boards like Buildforce
• Utility company websites
• Water industry job sites
• Professional organizations like AWWA (American Water Works Association)

Water Treatment Electrician Job Outlook & Demand

Federal Investment: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act delivers more than $50 billion to the EPA for water infrastructure improvements—the largest federal water investment in U.S. history. This funding ensures sustained electrical work at water treatment facilities through the end of the decade.

Workforce Changes: Experienced electricians are retiring, opening advancement opportunities for new workers.

Job Security: Water treatment is recession-proof work that cannot be outsourced or eliminated.

Geographic Demand: High-growth areas include California, Texas, Florida, and regions with aging water infrastructure.

Water treatment plant electrician jobs offer an excellent specialized opportunity within the electrical industry for those seeking stable, meaningful work with strong job security. With federal infrastructure investment reaching historic levels and an aging workforce creating openings, this electrical work niche may continue to grow in the coming years.

The combination of competitive compensation, government benefits, and better work-life balance compared to construction electrical work makes these positions increasingly attractive. For electricians looking to specialize in industrial controls and process systems, water treatment facilities provide an ideal environment to develop these high-demand skills.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding means there will be sustained demand for qualified electricians for years to come, making water treatment electrical work a smart specialization for career-minded electricians.