When you think of a plumber, you might picture someone who specializes in installing pipes and water supply systems in commercial buildings and homes. However, that’s just one job title within the plumbing industry. Plumbers also work on industrial and municipal water treatment systems, design and install sewer systems, maintain water and sewage facilities, and more. This wide variety of responsibilities means that there are a lot of different types of plumbers out there. Within this broad spectrum are some very unique and specialized job titles that not every new plumber will encounter. Many of these specialties exist as subsets of the primary job types, but others are quite distinct. Some of the most interesting and unusual plumbers you’ll ever meet include water treatment technicians, water safety specialists, water quality technicians, water distribution specialists, and many more. These occupations are all distinct from one another, but they all have one thing in common: They are all plumbing occupations that many people have never even heard of before!
Water Treatment Technicians
Water treatment technicians are responsible for maintaining the quality of drinking water at an industrial or municipal water treatment facility. These individuals may work as water treatment operators, water quality technicians, water technicians, or water technicians in various other job titles. The main job of a water treatment technician is to maintain the quality of drinking water at a water treatment facility. They do this by conducting water quality testing to make sure that water coming from the facility is safe for drinking and bathing in. If a water sample is found to have too many contaminants in it and is not fit for human consumption, the technician must take action to remedy the problem. This can involve anything from flushing a system that is backed up to dumping water into the sewer.Water treatment technicians must follow strict government regulations that govern the handling of water. Some of these regulations come from the EPA, but many state and local agencies also have water quality requirements that must be met.
Water Safety Specialists
Water safety specialists are responsible for taking water safety education to new heights. These individuals teach people how to use water safely and how to prevent water-related injuries. They do this by conducting water safety education programs in schools, at workplaces, and in communities. A water safety specialist may teach people about water safety in a classroom, at a workplace, or at a community event. They may also go out into the community and conduct water safety classes at local schools or community events. The training water safety specialists give is extremely important to prevent water-related injuries and fatalities. Water safety specialists are also responsible for conducting water safety inspections at workplaces and in communities. These inspections are usually conducted on a routine basis, sometimes as frequently as once per year.
Water Distribution Specialists
Water distribution specialists are responsible for installing and maintaining the pipes and tanks that send water to customers. These individuals may work as water distribution operators, water distribution technicians, or water technicians in various other job titles. The main job of a water distribution technician is to maintain and repair the pipes and tanks that send water to customers. This includes everything from installing new pipes and replacing old, corroding pipes to repairing and maintaining water meters, water regulators, and other water distribution equipment. A water distribution technician must follow strict government regulations that govern the handling of water. These regulations come from the EPA, but many state and local agencies also have water quality requirements that must be met.
Wastewater Treatment Technicians
Wastewater treatment technicians are responsible for maintaining the quality of sewage water at a municipal or industrial sewage treatment facility. These individuals may work as wastewater operators, wastewater technicians, or water technicians in various other job titles. The main job of a wastewater technician is to maintain the quality of sewage water at a sewage treatment facility. They do this by conducting sewage water quality testing to make sure that water coming from the facility is safe for discharge into the environment and safe for discharge into a waterway. If a sample is found to be too dirty and must be taken out of service, the technician must take action to remedy the problem. This can include everything from cleaning out debris from inside the sewage tank to cleaning out a sewage pipe.Wastewater technicians must follow strict government regulations that govern the handling of sewage water. Some of these regulations come from the EPA, but many state and local agencies also have water quality requirements that must be met.
Pipe Fitters
Pipe fitters are responsible for installing pipes in residential and commercial buildings. These individuals may work as pipe fitters, pipefitters-plumbers, or pipe fitters-welders in various other job titles. The main job of a pipe fitter is to make sure that pipes coming out of the ground are long enough to reach where they need to go and short enough to stay within code. They do this by measuring the length of the pipe and making any necessary adjustments. Pipe fitters must follow strict government regulations that govern the handling of pipes. These regulations come from the EPA, but many state and local agencies also have water quality requirements that must be met.
Residential Plumbing Contractors
Residential plumbing contractors are responsible for installing pipes and water supply systems in new and existing residential buildings. These individuals may work as residential plumbing contractors, residential plumbing technicians, or residential plumbing operators in various other job titles. The main job of a residential plumbing contractor is to install pipes and water supply systems in new residential buildings. They do this by measuring the distance between water meters, trenching for pipes, and laying pipes in the correct positions. Residential plumbing contractors must follow strict government regulations that govern the handling of water. These regulations come from the EPA, but many state and local agencies also have water quality requirements that must be met.