Water Technology

WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

Occupation description and WSOS

The name of the skill competition is

Water Technology

Description of the associated work role(s) or occupation(s)

Water Technicians may work on the supply of water, or the treatment of wastewater. They may work as Water Supply Technicians or Wastewater Technicians.

Water Supply Technicians work in local water supply facilities and industrial water treatment plants. They carry out their work independently based on technical documents, rules, and legal requirements. Water Supply Technicians collect information, plan and coordinate their own work. They document their work and take measures to ensure quality assurance, safety, health, and environmental protection. They may work in large or small facilities for processing drinking water, performing a range of technical duties or management roles in the plants.

Wastewater Technicians work within sewer networks, for wastewater and sludge treatment in local or industrial wastewater treatment plants. Like Water Supply Technicians, they carry out their work independently based on technical documents, regulations, and legal requirements. They collect information, plan and coordinate their work. They document their work and take measures to ensure quality assurance, safety, health and environmental protection at work. They may be electro-technically qualified personnel. They may work in local or industrial wastewater treatment facilities in a wide range of technical roles, or as the manager.

Whether working in water supply or wastewater treatment facilities, the role of the Water Technician is to observe, identify, report, maintain, control, and repair equipment and maintain the processes at the plant and across the networks. They must have knowledge and expertise in mechanics, chemistry, biology, electrical, automation, and environmental protection. Above all, health and safety are utmost important.

Water Technicians may help on stormwater management by designing and implementing systems like retention basins and green roofs, using models to predict hydraulic flow, ensuring regulatory compliance, and improving water quality. Their work aims to minimize flooding, protect water quality, and promote sustainability.

Irrespective of where Water Technicians work or what their responsibilities are, their role is driven by the absolute requirements for quality in many respects, including:

Continuity, consistency, and safety of water supply.
Safe removal, treatment, and recycling of wastewater.
Environmental protection.

Water is the earth’s most critical resource, the importance of this occupation and the quality of those fulfilling it, is second to none.

The WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

General notes on the WSOS

The WSOS specifies the knowledge, understanding, skills, and capabilities that underpin international best practice in technical and vocational performance. These are both specific to an occupational role and also transversal. Together they should reflect a shared global understanding of what the associated work role(s) or occupation(s) represent for industry and business (www.worldskills.org/WSOS).

The skill competition is intended to reflect international best practice as described by the WSOS, to the extent that it can. The Standard is therefore a guide to the required training and preparation for the skill competition.

In the skill competition the assessment of knowledge and understanding will take place through the assessment of performance. There will only be separate tests of knowledge and understanding where there is an overwhelming reason for these.

The Standard is divided into distinct sections with headings and reference numbers added.

Each section is assigned a percentage of the total marks to indicate its relative importance within the Standards. This is often referred to as the “weighting”. The sum of all the percentage marks is 100. The weightings determine the distribution of marks within the Marking Scheme.

Through the Test Project, the Marking Scheme will assess only those skills and capabilities that are set out in the WorldSkills Occupational Standards. They will reflect the Standards as comprehensively as possible within the constraints of the skill competition.

The Marking Scheme will follow the allocation of marks within the Standards to the extent practically possible. A variation of up to five percent is allowed, if this does not distort the weightings assigned by the Standards.

WorldSkills Occupational Standards

Section		Relative importance (%)
1	Work organization and management	10
	The individual needs to know and understand: Principles and applications of safe working in general and for water and wastewater treatment, as well as the operation in the networks and solid waste management The purposes, uses, care, calibration and maintenance of all equipment and materials, together with their safety implications Environmental and safety principles and their application to good housekeeping in the work environment Principles and methods for work organization, control, and management The parameters within which activities need to be scheduled.
	The individual shall be able to: Prepare and maintain safe, tidy, and efficient work areas Manage and dispose of the refuse produced in the work area Prepare for the tasks in hand, with full regard to health and safety Schedule work to maximize efficiency and minimize disruption Select and use all equipment and materials safely and in compliance with manufacturers’ instructions Restore work areas to an appropriate state and condition Give and take feedback and support.
2	Communication and interpersonal skills	5
	The individual needs to know and understand: The technical language associated with the occupation and the industry The standards required for routine and exception reporting in oral, written, and electronic form (e.g. values, figures, units, minimal information, and recommendations) The required standards for communication with clients, team members and others Documentation and records of communication with clients, regulatory bodies, and the public, including feedback and decisions The purposes and techniques for generating, maintaining, and presenting records The personal skills, strengths and needs that relate to the roles, responsibilities, and duties of others, individually and collectively Principles of team working and their applications.
	The individual shall be able to: Read, interpret, and extract technical data and instructions from documentation in any available format Communicate by oral, written, and electronic means to ensure clarity, effectiveness, and efficiency Communicate with the defined target groups, in order to give the correct information about water distribution systems, its possible flaws, water quality and shortage periods Communicate with defined target groups, in order to give the correct information about the types of refuse that can be disposed of in wastewater collection systems Use a standard range of communication technologies Discuss complex technical principles and applications with others Complete reports and respond to issues and questions arising Respond to clients’ needs face-to-face and indirectly Gather information and prepare documentation targeted to and as required by clients or client groups.
3	Application of health, safety and environment measures, and sustainability	10
	The individual needs to know and understand: Basic principles and practices of hygiene Risk assessment (biological, chemical, electrical, thermal and mechanical operations) Health and work-related regulations The meaning of relevant danger and safety symbols/signage Health maintaining regulations, and personal protection equipment (PPE) The hazardous aspects/points for the environment (danger/risk analysis) New trends in environmental processes and protection Dangers of relevant hazardous substances used on the networks and plants The different potential hazardous sources in the vicinity, their potential contents, and their possible effects Different mitigation methods Contingency plans Sustainable practices which support human, ecological, economic health and vitality.
	The individual shall be able to: Apply safety requirements in water or wastewater network and treatment plants Apply or exceed health and safety standards applying to the environment, equipment, and materials Execute proper preventive or correction actions in order to maintain efficiency within all treatment processes Identify potential problem zones and devise remedies accordingly Work in a cost, environmental and hygiene-conscious manner Avoid the use of hazardous substances and make proposals for their replacement Create and evaluate contingency plans Implement sustainable practices, e.g. reducing consumption of resources like water, energy, or materials Reduce, reuse, and recycle resources if possible.
4	Chemical and biological skills	25
	The individual needs to know and understand: Basic principles and procedures for solvents and solution preparation, mixing and dilution, including basic calculation The proper use of glassware, analytical equipment, or instruments How to read and execute standard analytical assay protocols Basic principles and procedures for sample pre-treatment, storage, sample preserving and sample taking Basic principles and procedures for measuring samples using different techniques (classical and instrumental analysis) Basic principles and procedures for chemical analysis for quality assurance Basic principles and procedures for biological analysis for quality assurance Basic principles and procedures for statistical analyses that concern specific samples (e.g. standard calibration curves, quantification limit, and standard deviation) Basic operations/functions of laboratory equipment.
	The individual shall be able to: Prepare any kind of chemical reactants or solutions Execute analytical measurement using the proper glassware, equipment, and instrument, according to specific assay protocols Clean and calibrate equipment and instruments before starting an assay protocol Take samples, including their preservation and pre-treatment Select and use laboratory equipment according to their function Follow chemical and biological analysis protocols and quality assurance Clean and store the equipment and instruments used Estimate the concentration of unknown samples, using proper analytical methods, protocols, and statistical analysis Document results/findings Provide information about water or wastewater quality, in order to identify any kind of problems within the water or wastewater treatment Acquire information about water or wastewater quality, in order to identify and execute preventative or corrective actions along the treatment processes Provide information about water or wastewater quality in order to fulfil laws and regulations, aiming to keep the population safe and healthy.
5	Electrical skills	15
	The individual needs to know and understand: The basic principles of electricity The basic principles of electrical systems The basics of electrical control of machines and actuators Circuit and P&I diagrams as well as operating manuals and/or instruction manuals The protection methods of electrical systems The dangers/hazards of electrical systems Analytical techniques for fault finding Strategies for problem solving Methods and procedures for identifying high energy consumers Strategies for energy efficiency.
	The individual shall be able to: Disengage electrical equipment commonly used in water and wastewater treatment plants Identify and resolve areas of uncertainty within the briefs or specifications Identify the different components within control cabinets and their functionality Exchange defective components within control cabinets Take electrical measurements and interpret/verify the results Connect wires/cables according to industrial practices/standards Install, set up and adjust/calibrate electrical systems as required Ensure connection of all wiring according to circuit diagrams Ensure the functionality of electrical systems (i.e. rotation direction).
6	Mechanical skills	15
	The individual needs to know and understand: The basics of materials (metals, composites, and plastics) The basics in processing methods of different materials The basics of connection techniques The basics of mechanical engineering (mechanics, sealing methods, gear technology, etc.) The basics of fluids Criteria and methods for testing equipment and systems Analytical techniques for fault finding Techniques and options for making mechanical repairs Strategies for problem solving Principles and techniques for generating creative and innovative solutions Water loss and leakage, as well as its potential causes and potential prevention solutions.
	The individual shall be able to: Repair components (up to systems) efficiently Monitor and control relevant process equipment Adjust and/or calibrate systems where necessary, according to instruction manuals Use accessories efficiently Ensure the correct function of components and systems Adjust process parameters Identify cost drivers and define methods for their minimization Work in a professional manner Identify equipment that requires preventive maintenance and develop/take appropriate measures Create quick and reliable makeshift solutions as an interim in emergencies.
7	Automation and digitalization	15
	The individual needs to know and understand: The basic principles of sensor technology The basic principles and functionality of closed loop technology The basic principles of actuators The basic principles of control technology Analytical techniques for fault finding and solving Digitization and internet of thing (IOT) application in water and wastewater facilities Digital twin for water and wastewater facilities Computer simulation of processes
	The individual shall be able to: Identify cost drivers and define methods for its minimization Interpret and differentiate circuit diagrams Regulate and adjust components for efficient use Identify different automation components within systems and make qualified adjustments Identify elements within process control, together with their functionality Take measurements and carry out process analyses Monitor, control and regulate systems manually and by using control and communication systems Use different energy forms (electricity, oil, gas, air, water, and steam) Review the possibilities of economical energy use (i.e. mitigation of leakage or usage of heat) Apply internet of thing (IOT) for water and wastewater treatment plants Apply and use digital twin and digitization for water and wastewater treatment Simulate water and wastewater treatment process and control
8	Documentation	5
	The individual needs to know and understand: System specifications of design details, operation, and components of the systems The basic calculations required within water and wastewater network and treatment processes Regulatory requirements to comply with laws and standards, including documentation needed for permits and inspections Data collection and analysis on hydrological, hydraulic, water quality, and processes Procedures and records for routine maintenance, repairs, and system performance checks Documentation of testing protocols, results, and any corrective actions taken to ensure system reliability for quality control
	The individual shall be able to: Create detailed documentation for system designs, specifications, and operational procedures. Perform calculations based on given facts/information Monitor and document information and data in compliance with legal requirements Document adherence to regulatory requirements, including permits, inspections, and compliance reports Record and organize hydrological, hydraulic, and water quality data for analysis and reporting Keep maintenance and repair logs, including schedules, procedures, and outcomes Document testing protocols, results, and any corrective measures to ensure system quality and performance. Track and document system performance, generate regular reports, and evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies Maintain records of interactions with clients, regulatory agencies, and the public, including feedback and decisions.
	Total	100

References for industry consultation

General notes

WorldSkills is committed to ensuring that the WorldSkills Occupational Standards fully reflect the dynamism of internationally recognized best practice in industry and business. To do this WorldSkills approaches a number of organizations across the world that can offer feedback on the draft Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards on a two-yearly cycle.

In parallel to this, WSI consults three international occupational classifications and databases:

ISCO-08: (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/stat/isco/isco08/)
ESCO: (https://ec.europa.eu/esco/portal/home )
O*NET OnLine (www.onetonline.org/)

References

This WSOS (Section 2) appears most closely to relate to:

Water Plant Technician: ESCO 3132.6: http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/7f800e7d-9d86-406a-9116-b5eca7526869

and Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators; https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-8031.00

These links can also be used to explore adjacent occupations.

ILO 3132

The following table indicates which organizations were approached and provided valuable feedback for the Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards in place for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

Organization	Contact name
ADIRO Automatisierungstechnik GmbH	Klaus Kronberger, Managing