Careers in Water and Wastewater Services
Water and Wastewater Operators play an important role in protecting public health and the environment.
These positions are responsible for the overall operation of the water and wastewater treatment plants and linear piping systems, and will perform duties such as reading and interpreting meters, adjusting, regulating and repairing equipment, as well as operating pumps, valves and equipment.
The City of Greater Sudbury is often looking for qualified and skilled individuals to work in our Water and Wastewater divisions. Check our current opportunities page for jobs in this valuable field.
For more information, call 705-674-4455, extension 3600.
Water and Wastewater Services at the City of Greater Sudbury
There are four main operating sections within Water and Wastewater Services. Learn more about what each section does and the kind of work you might do if you worked in that area.
Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Section
- This section maintains and operates 1017 kilometres of drinking water pipes and 770 kilometres of sanitary sewer systems within the City of Greater Sudbury.
- Operators are responsible for the water distribution system and the wastewater collection systems and will perform duties such as sampling and testing, flushing watermains, operating pumps, valves, heavy equipment, repairing hydrants, preventive maintenance, inspections, construction, sanitary sewer cleaning, and responding to water quality concerns.
- Staff performs emergency response activities including repairing broken sanitary sewers, water main breaks, spill response, as well as public works first responders.
- Work in this section involves a great deal of interaction with customers and is done year-round in an outdoor setting.
Mandatory licensing/certification: Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection
The operators operate and maintain the following assets:
- 1017 km of water distribution pipes
- 770 km of wastewater collection pipes
- 5743 fire hydrants
- 9529 valves
- 12,127 manholes
Water Treatment Section
- A water operator assists with the operation and maintenance of the complete water works systems which includes collecting samples, performing laboratory tests, measuring water levels, repairing water works equipment, maintenance within waterworks facilities, and water main and water service repairs.
- Operators perform assigned inspections of the facilities and preventive maintenance duties of all equipment, buildings and sites to ensure facility is operating effectively.
- Maintenance staff (such as millwrights and electricians) conduct maintenance on equipment used in water production.
- Computer systems specialists develop and maintain the required systems for monitoring and controlling all of the essential equipment assets found across the City of Greater Sudbury.
The operators operate and maintain:
- one conventional surface water treatment plant
- one membrane surface water plant
- 24 groundwater supply wells
- 12 booster pumping stations
- Seven storage tanks
- One reservoir and related equipment used to treat and transport water.
Mandatory certification: Water Treatment and Water Distribution
Wastewater Treatment Section
- Operators are responsible for the overall operation of the wastewater treatment plants and will perform duties such as reading and interpreting meters, adjusting, regulating and repairing equipment, and operating pumps, valves and equipment.
- Maintenance and technical staff (for example, laboratory technician) conduct the day-to-day oversight of laboratory results.
- Millwrights and electricians conduct maintenance on the more than 3,000 equipment assets used in wastewater production
- Computer systems specialists develop and maintain the required computer programming for monitoring and controlling all the essential assets found across the City of Greater Sudbury.
The operators operate and maintain the following wastewater facilities:
- ten wastewater treatment plants
- four lagoons
- 69 lift stations
Mandatory licensing: Wastewater Treatment and Wastewater Collection
Compliance Section
Staff in the Compliance Section provides the following services:
- Maintenance planning
- Systems support and business improvement
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) program development, maintenance and implementation
- Drinking water source protection
- Quality management systems
- Sewer use by-law enforcement/source control inspections
- Sampling and testing
- Education and outreach
- Community environmental spill response
Get Started on Your Career in Water/Wastewater
Learn more about a career in water and wastewater including tours:
- schools offering programs to prepare operators
- the types of in-demand careers in this field
- how to match your interests to career options in the field
If you are considering a career as a Water or Wastewater Operator in Ontario, you will need the appropriate licensing and certification. Learn how to become a certified operator.