Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose
South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.
We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.
Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Are you looking for a new role that gets you out and about supporting the flow of safe, reliable drinking water in the South West?
We’re recruiting for a Water Quality Technician to join our team on a full-time basis, earning £26,914 per annum (plus consolidated weekend enhancement of £3,055) rising to £30,846 on completion of the progression scheme, plus a range of company benefits.
Our Water Quality Technicians are out in the field collecting samples of water to ensure we're meeting the required standards and regulations, and providing safe drinking water to our customers and the community.
What you'll be doing:
Taking water samples across different sites from treatment works to customer properties, to be tested for chemical and bacterial safety, ensuring that all regulatory, operational monitoring and customer services requirements are met.
Routine inspection and reporting of equipment and asset conditions.
Complying with the Company’s Health, Safety & Security policies
Ensuring effective planning and delivery of sampling, monitoring and customer support activities
Providing sampling support to Water Quality staff
Complying with and suggesting improvements to the Company’s Quality Management Systems
Maintaining and improving the standard of customer contact, to ensure that the Company image is upheld and promoted
Being aware when ‘trigger point’ and reporting triggers have been reached, ensuring that reporting is prompt to minimise any impact from these situations
Providing monitoring support during events and incidents
Assisting Water Quality Scientists in the effective and timely resolution of customer contacts
Seeking to utilise resources available at minimum cost, ensuring equipment and records are maintained to the required standard.
What we're looking for:
5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths, English and a Science subject at grade C or above.
Good geographical knowledge of the South West, with a full UK driving licence.
Ability to follow procedures and work to standards set by regulators and the business.
Excellent attention to detail and the ability to keep accurate records.
Ability to deliver to time, cost, quality and performance targets.
Confident in the use of Microsoft Office and using IT.
Comfortable working alone (while keeping team members informed).
Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
A flexible approach to work, participating in the work rota system.
What's in it for you:
Training and development within the role (Monitoring the Water Environment NVQ Level 2).
Generous holiday allowance of 23 days rising to 27 days plus bank holidays, with the ability to buy and sell annual leave for added flexibility.
Competitive company pension scheme.
Training and development within the role (Monitoring the Water Environment NVQ Level 2).
Access to thousands of discounts and vouchers through Pennon Perks.
24/7 support with our Employee Assistance Programme.
Discretionary bonus.
Cycle to work scheme.
And more!
Closing Date: 19th June 2026
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
