Level 3 Apprentice Drainage Performance Technician (Wastewater)

United Utilities

Rochdale (OL16 3TQ)

Closes in 14 days (Monday 23 February 2026)

Posted on 29 January 2026

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Summary

Are you ready to live your future? Do you want to be part of building a greener, healthier, and stronger North West? Come and join us! We’ll provide you with industry-leading skills and the experience you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Wage

£20,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Reward and benefits – There are lots of perks, including a starting salary of £20,000, which will increase each year based on performance 

Training course
Water industry network technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, times to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 2 September 2026

Duration

3 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

As a Level 3 Apprentice Wastewater Drainage Performance Technician, you’ll learn how to:

  • Learn about the Wastewater Network, flowing from customers’ homes and non-domestic properties throughout our Wastewater Network
  • Support planned work on the Wastewater Network, analysing data to identify future trends, taking corrective action to improve overall drainage performance
  • Proactively identify repeat incidents and suggest necessary interventions to stop reoccurrence
  • Learn a wide range of wastewater network technical skills to effectively monitor and control assets across a County  
  • Develop well-developed IT, numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills to deliver operational and financial performance targets. 
  • Gain excellent presentation and written and oral communication skills
  • Develop excellent knowledge and practical experience of wastewater treatment processes, including operational best operational  
  • Gain an understanding of future regulatory requirements within wastewater operations

Where you'll work

Waterworks Road
Ogden
Rochdale
OL16 3TQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED

Training course

Water industry network technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Comply with (water or wastewater) industry regulations and procedures.
  • Complete risk assessments: identify and document risks and hazards in the workplace. Apply control measures.
  • Comply with health and safety regulations, and safe working and security practices and procedures.
  • Set out and remove signing, lighting, and guarding.
  • Conduct vehicle checks.
  • Conduct and assess impact of activity for example, environmental, cost, reputation, safety, and health. Apply control measures.
  • Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and requirements . For example, safe disposal of waste, re-cycling or re-use of materials, and efficient use of resources.
  • Apply principles of sustainable development. For example, in choice of materials.
  • Trace and locate network services.
  • Collect mitigation data or evidence.
  • Check technician tools and equipment. Conduct maintenance for example, calibration.
  • Identify issues. Apply fault-finding and problem-solving techniques: identify root cause. Resolve faults.
  • Consider, identify, and promote areas for improvement. For example, in relation to quality, cost, time, safety, and impact.
  • Use information technology. Follow cyber security requirements. Comply with GDPR.
  • Interpret digital mapping systems and update.
  • Complete work documentation: enter and record data and information using digital technology for example, hand-held devices.
  • Read and interpret written information. For example, work instructions, and service level agreements.
  • Identify and organise resources to complete tasks. For example, equipment, traffic management, and personnel.
  • Prioritise work activities.
  • Communicate verbally and in writing. For example, with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders. Use water industry terminology where appropriate.
  • Identify and escalate issues.
  • Provide advice and guidance to customers.
  • Liaise with, negotiate with, and handle conflict in individual or group environments.
  • Apply and enforce water fittings regulations to customer installations for example, rainwater harvest systems and solar panels.
  • Read and interpret technical data for example, flows and pressures.
  • Install pressure gauges.
  • Conduct flow and pressure measurements.
  • Identify different valve types. Operate multiple valves, hydrants and washouts including isolation and recharging of mains.
  • Follow hygiene practices for example, disinfect equipment.
  • Select and use water quality testing equipment to test for water quality for example, chlorine, turbidity, taste, odour, and clarity.
  • Sample for chemical and micro-biological analysis.
  • Set up temporary loggers (flow and pressure).
  • Carry out network optimisation activity. For example, PRV, PSV, and air valve maintenance.
  • Select and use leakage detection tools and methods to identify source of leakage. For example, step testing, acoustic and electronic, data logging ground microphones, and correlators.
  • Inspect and check network assets for example, air values, PRV, critical values, fire hydrant. Identify action.
  • Select and use equipment to complete planned preventative maintenance. For example, conduct high velocity mains cleansing and low turnover flushing.
  • Conduct step testing using valves.
  • Select and use initial leakage detection equipment and methods. For example, acoustic and electronic, data logging, ground microphones, and correlators.
  • Use specific leakage detection equipment and methods to identify leakage pin-point for example, network or customer side.
  • Conduct targeted DMA (district metered area) survey.
  • Access, download, and interpret data from pressure and flow loggers.
  • Test and assess application of innovative leakage equipment.
  • Apply maintenance practices to meters and loggers. Identify and arrange repairs.
  • Trace or locate drain or sewer.
  • Complete visual inspection to check assets for example, combined sewer overflow, non-return valves, flow control devices, and storage tanks. Identify action.
  • Use dye testing to trace and investigate cross or illegal connections.
  • Use digital inspection equipment for example, CCTV to check assets. Identify action.
  • Use sonde equipment.
  • Select and use blockage removal equipment for example, rods and jetting equipment.
  • Select and use equipment to apply first line maintenance techniques for example, replace seals, lubricate, de-silt, and de-scale.
  • Follow alarm response procedures.
  • Comply with (water or wastewater) industry regulations and procedures.
  • Complete risk assessments: identify and document risks and hazards in the workplace. Apply control measures.
  • Comply with health and safety regulations, and safe working and security practices and procedures.
  • Set out and remove signing, lighting, and guarding.
  • Conduct vehicle checks.
  • Conduct and assess impact of activity for example, environmental, cost, reputation, safety, and health. Apply control measures.
  • Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and requirements . For example, safe disposal of waste, re-cycling or re-use of materials, and efficient use of resources.
  • Apply principles of sustainable development. For example, in choice of materials.
  • Trace and locate network services.
  • Collect mitigation data or evidence.
  • Check technician tools and equipment. Conduct maintenance for example, calibration.
  • Identify issues. Apply fault-finding and problem-solving techniques: identify root cause. Resolve faults.
  • Consider, identify, and promote areas for improvement. For example, in relation to quality, cost, time, safety, and impact.
  • Use information technology. Follow cyber security requirements. Comply with GDPR.
  • Interpret digital mapping systems and update.
  • Complete work documentation: enter and record data and information using digital technology for example, hand-held devices.
  • Read and interpret written information. For example, work instructions, and service level agreements.
  • Identify and organise resources to complete tasks. For example, equipment, traffic management, and personnel.
  • Prioritise work activities.
  • Communicate verbally and in writing. For example, with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders. Use water industry terminology where appropriate.
  • Identify and escalate issues.
  • Provide advice and guidance to customers.
  • Liaise with, negotiate with, and handle conflict in individual or group environments.

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • 5 GCSE's minimum or equivalent (grade A-C or 9-4)
  • Maths, English and a Science or Technology subject (grade A-C or 9-4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working

Other requirements

You will need a full UK driving licence by the time that your apprenticeship begins. 

About this employer

United Utilities is responsible for water and wastewater services in the North West of England. From 2025-2030 we will undertake the largest investment in water and wastewater services in the North West in 100 years - that's more than £13 billion worth of projects. Now, more than ever, we need inspiring future talent to help make the North West stronger, greener, and healthier. 

https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/apprenticeships/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

26 days of leave (excluding bank holidays), a £500 contribution towards learning to drive, and many more benefits. 

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Every apprentice is guaranteed a permanent position at the end of their scheme. (As long as you meet all necessary standards and behaviour criteria throughout the programme).

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000011413.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Monday 23 February 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.