Production & ManufacturingO*NET: 51-8031.00
Will AI Replace Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
85out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
85/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
8
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- ▸Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- ▸Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (3)
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
👤Requires Humans (1)
- Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
⚡AI-Assisted (4)
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
- Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.
Key Skills Analysis
Operation and Control
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Repairing
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators have a critical risk of AI replacement with a score of 85/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research