NOC 92101: Water and waste treatment plant operators
What water and waste treatment plant operators do
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. Liquid waste plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the treatment and disposal of sewage and wastes. They are employed by municipal governments and industrial facilities. This unit group also includes waste treatment plant operators in composting plants and other waste management facilities.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- 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.
- Liquid waste plant operators
- Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater treatment, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the flow of sewage through settling, aeration and digestion tanks, and to treat and dispose of sewage and wastes
- Patrol plant to check pumps, motors, filters, chlorinators and other plant equipment; monitor and read gauges, meters and other recording instruments to detect equipment malfunctions and ensure plant systems and equipment are operating within prescribed limits
- Test and adjust chemical feed rates to ensure that disinfection processes meet quality standards
- Collect waste and sewage samples, test and analyze results and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems as required
- Perform security checks in plant and on grounds
- Complete and maintain plant logs and reports
- Perform preventive maintenance on plant equipment to ensure that the facility operates in accordance with required standards
- May assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery.
Job titles under NOC 92101
31 job titles are classified here, including environmental systems operator - water treatment, liquid waste process operator, sewage plant operator.
- environmental systems operator - water treatment
- filter plant operator - water treatment
- filtration plant controller - water treatment
- industrial waste treatment plant operator
- liquid waste process operator
- liquid waste processing plant operator
- liquid waste treatment plant operator
- pump station operator - water treatment
- pumphouse operator - water treatment
- sewage plant operator
- sewage-processing equipment tender
- waste treatment plant operator
- wastewater collection operator
- wastewater collection systems operator
- wastewater treatment operator
- wastewater treatment plant operator
- wastewater treatment plant worker
- water and wastewater technician
- water filtration plant operator
- water gate operator
- water plant pump operator
- water purification plant operator
- water treatment operator
- water treatment plant operator
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- College or industry training courses in chemistry, pollution control or related subjects are usually required.
- Certification in water treatment and distribution (level according to the classification of the plant) is required for water treatment plant operators.
- Drinking water certification is required in Quebec and Ontario for operators whose work involves water treatment and distribution.
- Certification in wastewater collection and wastewater treatment (level according to the classification of the plant) is required for wastewater treatment plant operators.
- Solid waste, landfill or compost facility operator certification may be required for operators in waste treatment plants.
- Certification in workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), and courses in safety practices may be required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Previous experience as a worker in the water treatment or wastewater field may be required.
Water and waste treatment plant operators wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $25.00/hr | $36.06/hr | $48.00/hr |
Toronto ON | $30.00/hr | $35.90/hr | $43.27/hr |
Montréal QC | $22.00/hr | $31.00/hr | $48.30/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $28.73/hr | $37.49/hr | $49.28/hr |
Calgary AB | $27.83/hr | $37.98/hr | $52.87/hr |
Edmonton AB | $27.46/hr | $38.27/hr | $52.98/hr |
Ottawa ON | $26.46/hr | $34.43/hr | $46.64/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $24.04/hr | $27.88/hr | $40.00/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $22.00/hr | $31.00/hr | $48.30/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $25.48/hr | $36.00/hr | $38.81/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $38.11/hr | $39.96/hr | $69.00/hr |
London ON | $26.81/hr | $34.99/hr | $46.73/hr |
Halifax NS | $24.08/hr | $31.82/hr | $39.95/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $28.50/hr | $36.99/hr | $49.50/hr |
Saskatoon Saskatoon–Biggar region, SK | $22.96/hr | $30.85/hr | $45.15/hr |
Regina Regina–Moose Mountain region, SK | $20.21/hr | $29.15/hr | $41.01/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $25.40/hr | $32.78/hr | $41.08/hr |
Nova Scotia | $23.39/hr | $30.85/hr | $37.77/hr |
New Brunswick | $23.39/hr | $30.29/hr | $37.43/hr |
Quebec | $22.00/hr | $31.00/hr | $48.30/hr |
Ontario | $27.00/hr | $38.11/hr | $52.00/hr |
Manitoba | $24.10/hr | $27.88/hr | $40.00/hr |
Saskatchewan | $23.00/hr | $31.23/hr | $45.00/hr |
Alberta | $28.00/hr | $41.00/hr | $49.45/hr |
British Columbia | $28.80/hr | $36.80/hr | $45.07/hr |
Using NOC 92101 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 31 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Chemical engineers (NOC 21320)
- Chemical technologists and technicians (NOC 22100)
- Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities (NOC 92011)
- Utility Maintenance Workers (NOC 74204)
- Waterworks labourer (NOC 95102)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for water and waste treatment plant operators?
Water and waste treatment plant operators are NOC 2021 unit group 92101. Example job titles in this group include environmental systems operator - water treatment, liquid waste process operator, sewage plant operator, waste treatment plant operator.
What TEER is NOC 92101?
NOC 92101 is TEER 2 (College diploma or apprenticeship (2+ years)). Usually requires a 2–3 year college program or a 2–5 year apprenticeship, or the occupation carries supervisory or significant safety responsibilities. TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 work counts as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do water and waste treatment plant operators earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $36.06/hr, about $70,000 a year full-time, with a range of $25.00/hr to $48.00/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.