Water quality analyst

A Water Quality Analyst is a scientific professional who monitors, tests, and evaluates the chemical, physical, and biological properties of water to ensure it meets environmental and public health standards. They play a key role in safeguarding drinking water, wastewater, and natural water bodies by detecting pollutants, assessing treatment processes, and recommending corrective actions. Water Quality Analysts work for environmental agencies, laboratories, utilities, or private companies, ensuring compliance with local, national, and international water quality regulations.

Water quality analysts typically do the following:

• Collect water samples from rivers, lakes, wells, treatment plants, or distribution systems for laboratory testing.
• Analyze water samples to measure parameters such as pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, heavy metals, and microbial content.
• Operate and maintain laboratory instruments including spectrophotometers, chromatographs, and titration systems.
• Record, interpret, and report test results according to established environmental standards.
• Identify sources of pollution or contamination and recommend corrective measures.
• Monitor the performance of water and wastewater treatment processes.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks such as the Safe Drinking Water Act or local environmental laws.
• Prepare technical reports, summaries, and documentation for environmental agencies and management.
• Support the design and implementation of water quality improvement or remediation programs.
• Stay informed about emerging contaminants, testing technologies, and water protection policies.

The following job titles also refer to water quality analyst:

water supply quality analyst
water quality inspector
potable water quality laboratory analyst
potable water quality specialist
water quality specialist
potable water quality analyst
drinking water quality specialist
drinking water quality analyst
irrigation water quality analyst
water quality technician
drinking water quality technician
drinking water quality laboratory analyst
water quality laboratory analyst
potable water quality inspector
drinking water quality inspector
quality analyst, water

Water Quality Analysts divide their time between laboratories and fieldwork. Field duties involve collecting samples in various weather conditions and environments, sometimes in remote or industrial locations. Laboratory work requires precision, adherence to safety protocols, and extended periods of data analysis or instrument use. Most work full-time hours, though some positions may require evening or weekend sampling. The role demands meticulous attention to detail, adherence to health and safety regulations, and the ability to work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.

A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology, microbiology, or a related field is required. Some employers may prefer candidates with specialized coursework in water management or environmental chemistry. Laboratory or field experience through internships, research projects, or environmental monitoring programs is highly beneficial.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Water quality analyst is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to water quality analyst.

hydrologist
analytical chemist
environmental expert
assayer
environmental policy officer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of water quality analyst.

• Water chemistry analysis: Principles of complex water chemistry.
• Chemical processes: The relevant chemical processes used in manufacture, such as purification, seperation, emulgation and dispergation processing.
• Laboratory techniques: Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.

These skills are necessary for the role of water quality analyst.

• Interpret scientific data to assess water quality: Analyse and interpret data like biological properties to know the quality of water.
• Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
• Measure water quality parameters: Quality assure water by taking into consideration various elements, such as temperature.
• Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
• Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
• Develop water purification methods: Develop strategies for the development and use of water purification equipment and plans, by aiding in the design of equipment, planning purification procedures, and identifying the necessary actions and potential risks.
• Test chemical samples: Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.
• Perform water chemistry analysis: Perform water chemistry analysis
• Prepare chemical samples: Prepare the specific samples such as gas, liquid or solid samples in order for them to be ready for analysis, labeling and storing samples according to specifications.
• Perform water testing procedures: Conduct testing procedures on water quality, such as pH tests and dissolved solids. Understand instrumentation drawings.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of water quality analyst. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Microbiology-bacteriology: Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
• Botany: The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
• Fish identification and classification: The processes which allow the identification and classification of fish.
• Water policies: Have a solid understanding of policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations concerning water.
• Environmental legislation: The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.
• Pollution prevention: The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.
• Water reuse: Principles of water re-use processes in complex circulation systems.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of water quality analyst. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
• Use water disinfection equipment: Operate equipment for water disinfection, using different methods and techniques, such as mechanical filtration, depending on needs.
• Manage water quality testing: Direct the procedures surrounding the testing and quality analysis of water and subsequent purification procedures by managing operations from collection of samples to laboratory testing, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with legislation.
• Advise on soil and water protection: Advise on the effects of soil and water management practices in controlling pollutant loss, nitrate leaching and reduce soil erosion.
• Collect samples for analysis: Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
• Advise on pollution prevention: Advise individuals and organisations on the development and implementation of actions which aid in the prevention of pollution and its related risks.
• Report test findings: Report test results with a focus on findings and recommendations, differentiating results by levels of severity. Include relevant information from the test plan and outline the test methodologies, using metrics, tables, and visual methods to clarify where needed.
• Analyse environmental data: Analyse data that interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
• Test samples for pollutants: Measure concentrations of pollutants within samples. Calculate air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes. Identify potential safety or health risks such as radiation.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment: Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
• Promote environmental awareness: Calculate the carbon footprint of business processes and other practices in order to promote sustainability and to raise awareness for the environmental impact.
• Supervise laboratory operations: Supervise the staff working in a laboratory, as well as oversee that equipment is functional and maintained, and procedures occur in compliance with regulations and legislation.
• Maintain test equipment: Maintain equipment used for testing the quality of systems and products.
• Develop scientific research protocols: Develop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.
• Analyse experimental laboratory data: Analyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings
• Manage chemical testing procedures: Manage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.
• Advise on environmental remediation: Advise on the development and implementation of actions which aim to remove sources of pollution and contamination from the environment.
• Monitor water quality: Measure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.
• Report pollution incidents: Examine the extent of the damage and consequences when an incident causes pollution, and report it to the relevant institution following pollution reporting procedures.
• Develop environmental remediation strategies: Develop strategies for the removal of pollution and contaminants from soil, groundwater, surface water, or sediment, taking into account environmental remediation regulations and available technologies.
• Report on environmental issues: Compile environmental reports and communicate on issues. Inform the public or any interested parties in a given context on relevant recent developments in the environment, forecasts on the future of the environment, and any problems and possible solutions.

2133 – Environmental protection professionals

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 References

1. Water quality analyst – ESCO
2. Featured image: Photo by Mark Boss on Unsplash