Water Quality Technician
Bryce is an apprentice Process Control Technician at United Utilities
I help make sure the water coming out of your tap is safe to drink, and cook and wash with.
Water usually comes from impounding reservoirs (like artificial lakes) and goes through lots of cleaning steps to remove things like dirt, metals and bacteria.
My job is to test the water at every stage and make sure it meets strict regulations so it’s safe for our customers. Without my job, water wouldn’t be safe for homes and families.
I love knowing that I play a part in something really important. Without people like me and my team, your water wouldn’t be safe to use.
There’s a lot of purpose in what we do. It feels good to know that I’m doing something that matters to the whole community.
It’s one of those jobs people don’t think about, but it’s vital. I get a lot of fulfilment from that. Every time someone turns on their tap in my area, I know I’ve helped make that possible.
IT skills are really important, there’s lots of software and tech involved in monitoring the water.
Teamwork is also a big one. You need to get stuck in, ask questions and be willing to learn from others. Communication matters too, especially if something goes wrong.
You’ve got to be proactive, have a strong drive and really want to understand the process. Being hands-on helps. If you’re curious and like solving problems, this kind of job could suit you.
I work with a small team of fewer than ten people. Some have been here over 20 years, while others are fairly new. It’s a great mix. Everyone’s really friendly and helpful.
I know I can ask questions, even the same question more than once, and someone will explain it without making me feel silly. It’s the kind of team where you feel supported and included. I’ve learnt loads from my teammates, and I feel like a valued part of the group.
In the lab, we’ve got this amazing bit of kit called the HACH SL1000. It helps us test the water quickly and easily. You fill a tub with water, put in chemical keys for things like Toal Chlorine, Free Chlorine, Iron and Phosphate, and the machine works out the results for you.
It’s smart, easy to use and makes a big part of our job much quicker. I think it’s brilliant.
Outside of work, I like going to the gym, seeing my friends, travelling when I can and going to concerts. I’ve always loved music, all kinds and all genres.
At school, I really enjoyed drama and Spanish. I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do back then, but those subjects helped give me a broad base of skills. Looking back, I probably learned more than I realised at the time.
I helped change the way we track and check safety equipment on site, like handrails and gratings. I created a new system and quality assurance paperwork that will now be used at my site for years to come.
It might sound small, but knowing I’ve made a lasting improvement feels amazing. That change will keep people safe and make things more efficient, for now and the future.
People don’t always realise how much goes into making water safe. It doesn’t just fall from the sky and appear in your tap. There’s a whole process of cleaning, filtering and testing behind the scenes.
Water treatment is tightly regulated too (which means we have to maintain certain standards, by law). We can’t just guess or hope for the best. Everything has to be checked to meet strict standards, every single day.
I’m in my first year of a three-year apprenticeship. After I finish, I would like to be a fully qualified Process Controller.
I’d love to keep learning and take on more responsibility in the future.
Don’t assume something isn’t for you just because it doesn’t look like it on the surface. Take a chance, you might surprise yourself.
I never imagined I’d be doing this job, but now I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.
