x34 Process Operator Vacancies at Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT) – Apply Before 14 March 2026
Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT) is hiring 34 Process Operators in Gauteng. Permanent positions in wastewater treatment operations. Closing date: 14 March 2026.
Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT) has announced 34 permanent Process Operator vacancies within its Operations Division. Based in Ekurhuleni, these entry-level roles present a significant opportunity for qualified wastewater treatment professionals seeking stable employment in the environmental services sector.
The positions were posted on 02 March 2026, with a closing date of 14 March 2026. As a key player in wastewater management and environmental compliance in Gauteng, ERWAT plays a critical role in safeguarding public health and protecting water resources.
Role Overview
The Process Operator role is central to the 24-hour operation of wastewater treatment plants, modules, or sections. Operators ensure that treated effluent is discharged and sludge disposed of strictly in accordance with license conditions and ERWAT’s internal procedures.
These roles are operationally intensive and require a strong understanding of wastewater treatment processes, safety standards, and environmental compliance protocols.
Core Responsibilities
The Process Operator position is structured across four primary performance pillars: operational effectiveness, quality assurance, administrative effectiveness, and safety compliance.
1. Operational Management Effectiveness
Operators will be responsible for:
- Operating equipment to remove sludge from primary sludge tanks, clarifiers, and humus tanks
- Managing inlet works operations to remove grit and rags from wastewater streams
- Transferring sludge to digesters, drying beds, or designated disposal areas
- Operating sand filters, sludge thickeners, Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) units, and sludge dewatering equipment
- Managing chemical dosing systems, including ferric chloride, chlorine, DBF, and polyelectrolytes
- Operating and maintaining disinfection systems, including safe chlorine cylinder changes
- Decanting supernatant from digesters to reduce sludge volumes
- Removing and stockpiling dried sludge from belt presses and drying beds
Operators must also take meter readings (flow rates, dissolved oxygen levels, operating hours), complete daily plant log sheets, participate in shift handovers, and report breakdowns or abnormal plant conditions.
2. Quality Effectiveness
Maintaining effluent quality standards is a critical component of the role. Responsibilities include:
- Following Incident Management Protocols (IMP) to prevent pollution events
- Collecting process samples according to laboratory schedules
- Interpreting laboratory results and assisting in process optimization
- Monitoring third-party service providers (sampling contractors, chemical deliveries)
- Assisting in commissioning new equipment and overseeing repair work
The role demands proactive adjustments to operational parameters to ensure compliance with environmental legislation and performance targets.
3. Administrative Effectiveness
Process Operators are expected to contribute to plant reporting and regulatory documentation by:
- Assisting in compiling daily, weekly, and monthly performance reports
- Supporting documentation for Green Drop compliance activities
- Recording quantities of waste such as grit, rags, and sludge
- Reporting bulk chemical usage and stock levels
- Documenting deviations from normal operations
Accurate record-keeping ensures transparency, compliance, and operational accountability.
4. Safety, Health, Environmental & Risk Compliance
Given the high-risk nature of wastewater treatment operations, strict adherence to safety standards is mandatory.
Operators must:
- Follow all safety rules and procedures
- Identify and report operational hazards
- Participate in risk assessments and mitigation planning
- Maintain good housekeeping standards
- Report incidents, accidents, or near misses in accordance with IMP
Environmental protection and occupational health form the foundation of ERWAT’s operational mandate.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following qualification pathways:
Option 1:
- Operators Certificate / Wastewater Treatment Practice NQF Level 3
- 7 years’ relevant experience (minimum 2 years at Grade B2)
Option 2:
- Wastewater Treatment Practice NQF Level 4
- 3 years’ experience (minimum 2 years at Grade B2)
Option 3:
- BSc Degree, National Diploma, National Technical Diploma, or NTC VI in a relevant field
- 1 year relevant experience (excluding in-service training)
Option 4:
- Recognized Prior Learning (RPL)
- 15 years relevant experience
Special Requirements
In addition to academic and experiential qualifications, candidates must:
- Be registered with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) as a minimum Class III Process Controller
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Demonstrate understanding of wastewater treatment plant operations
Professional registration with DWS ensures compliance with national regulatory standards for wastewater management.
Industry Context: Why This Role Matters
Wastewater treatment is a cornerstone of environmental protection and public health infrastructure. Process Operators ensure that wastewater discharged into rivers and ecosystems meets regulatory standards, preventing pollution and protecting communities.
In metropolitan regions such as Ekurhuleni, effective wastewater management is critical due to population density, industrial activity, and environmental sustainability pressures.
By hiring 34 Process Operators, ERWAT reinforces its operational capacity to maintain plant efficiency, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.
Employment Details
- Position: Process Operator
- Number of Vacancies: 34
- Division: Operations
- Industry: Environmental Services
- Location: Ekurhuleni, Gauteng
- Employment Type: Permanent
- Posted: 02 March 2026
- Closing Date: 14 March 2026
These permanent roles offer long-term career prospects within municipal environmental infrastructure.
Final Thoughts
The 34 Process Operator vacancies at ERWAT represent a substantial opportunity for qualified wastewater professionals to secure permanent employment in a mission-critical sector.
With a structured operational framework, strong compliance requirements, and a focus on environmental sustainability, ERWAT continues to play a pivotal role in water care services across Gauteng.
Qualified candidates who meet the minimum certification and registration requirements are strongly encouraged to submit their applications before 14 March 2026.
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