Home Job Board Advertise Job Skills Blog

Water Analysts Hold Positions of Responsibility to Protect Our Water Supply

A water analyst is responsible for, well, analyzing water. Naturally there's more to it than that, but that's the gist of it. Water, which is just as important to the survival of the planet as having air to breathe, is often not given enough attention. Over the years our planet's supply of drinking water, which comes from every fresh water source on earth, including natural springs, lakes, rivers, and dug wells, has been often polluted, sometimes drained in order to make space for construction projects, and always taken for granted that there will be more available. As a water analyst, your job would be to make sure that there always IS fresh water available, to make sure that water which is consumed by humans and animals is fit to drink and that there isn't any radioactive materials, disease-causing bacteria, or other contaminates in your community's supply of fresh water.

Specifically, a water analyst must perform several duties associated with his position, including collecting samples for analysis, analyzing and interpreting results, recording data, calibration of all analytical equipment, and maintaining records of analysis in repeat areas, as well as checking for trends in pollution and quality of water in certain areas.

Most water analysts spend much of their time indoors, making it ideal for those who prefer a climate-controlled environment. However, as most water analysts are expected to collect samples in addition to performing the analysis', it may be necessary to visit certain sites, such as lakes, rivers or wells, in order to take samples of water for testing.

In spite of the seemingly simple-sounding tasks of a water analyst, their work is very important and their salaries reflect that. With an average salary of $67,000, a water analyst has a good incentive to perform well and to make sure his analyses are always correct.

Water analysts aren't always required to have a college degree, although it does help one get the job, as jobs in this industry are by no means plentiful. If you don't have a college degree, however, most companies will still hire you if you have several years' experience in the field. Larger companies usually expect Five years or more experience in water analysis, if you have only a high school diploma. If you have neither the desire for higher education, nor the experience required by most companies, it may still be possible to obtain employment in this industry, if you are willing to settle for employment in a small company (perhaps testing a small community's water supply) or if you are prepared to accept a lower salary. Most positions in this industry do not require overtime and are usually relatively slow-paced. Quality of work is stressed, and water analysis is important enough to warrant detailed and thoroughness in work.

If you are the type of person who is committed to protecting our water supply and if you are thorough and detail-oriented, a career as a water analyst might be the ideal position for you.

Environmental Science Resources