Clean, Fresh Water Jobs

I 've been writing a history of water to show that as civilizations formed, there has been a need for the delivery of clean, fresh water and the disposal of waste and sewage, whether by a utility or a private source. Indeed, the epidemics that devastated Europe throughout much of her history, after the fall of Rome, outside of exotic new diseases which people had to develop immunities to over time, were often driven by polluted water or accumulated wastes that attracted plague carrying vermin.

With Rome's fall, as knowledge was forgotten, people had to relearn methods of clean water delivery and sanitation that were necessary for good health. Not that they didn't attempt to form beneficial communities. It's actually just beyond incredible how truly ignorant humankind had become.

So, this means today, in our modern world, that water treatment and wastewater purification are good careers because of peoples' need for clean water and the recognition by our government as to how important this is. And with population growth, there will be even more need for safe water in all its uses.

Therefore, if you wish to pursue a career in water treatment, here are some suggestions.

• If you are planning to go to college or are in college, with due consideration for your interests and aptitude, chemistry with an emphasis on classes that deal with water treatment is a good idea. You can also supplement your education with boiler classes or classes on cooling towers. Also, since modern treatment plants are computer and machine run, find out what is looked for in applicants as far as education if computers, technology or mechanics are your strong suit. You can call your local seat of government to get the telephone number for the treatment plant in your area or ask a knowledgeable professor for advice if in school.

• Consider a career in clean water that focuses on people getting clean or softened water from a private provider. This requires less schooling, and can pay well. Even with changing technologies that are moving away from chemicals, machines that do the processes still need to be installed and serviced.

• Consider managing, testing and protecting public water. This often only requires a high school diploma. There are naturally standard requirements such as one or even two civil service exams, criminal background checks and drug testing as four out of five of these jobs are for local governments.

• Some of these jobs involve protecting lakes and rivers, while others deal with collecting wastewater and purifying it into clean water, thus satisfying the sanitation needs of a community and providing safe, fresh, water. I must warn you, the sewage plant jobs are not odor free - to put it delicately.

Some of these options may require an investment in yourself. You have to be honest in accessing your abilities and your commitment. Also what are your circumstances? For instance, it was easy for me to relocate when I started out. I was single and not dating anyone. When you are married, however, you have to take into account the feelings of your spouse.

Also you should be investing in a career, not just another job. To use an analogy, a good affordable car is worth the cost because it can get you to a great job that becomes a career that fulfills your dreams, at least for your physical needs. The same money spent on a whim for a bad car, however, is a lesson in frustration a person would rather not experience.

By

Jeffrey Ruzicka

Jeffrey Ruzicka is a retired executive of a small company that specializes in industrial water treatment. He lives happily with his wife in Western Pennsylvania. He is a contributing writer to UtilitiesJobs, UtiltiesJobBlog and Nexxt.