At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure safe drinking water quality and support environmental initiatives.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, competitive pension, and employee perks.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture that values diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public health and the environment.
- Qualifications: HNC in a scientific discipline; knowledge of water treatment processes.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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 support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
We’re looking for a proactive and passionate Water Quality Scientist to join our Water Quality team. In this role, you’ll play a vital part in protecting public health, ensuring exceptional drinking water quality, and supporting the delivery of safe, compliant water from source to tap. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a service that truly matters—safeguarding customers, communities, and the environment while working alongside a team of experts.
What you'll be doing:
- Provide technical expertise and guidance to operational teams, ensuring water quality standards are consistently met.
- Support the management and optimisation of water assets, identifying risks and driving improvements.
- Investigate and resolve customer water quality enquiries, delivering excellent service and outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with UK and EU water quality legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Identify and assess risks, implementing appropriate corrective actions to protect public health.
- Collaborate with operational, asset management, and customer teams to maintain safe and efficient processes.
- Support incident response and emergency situations, providing scientific expertise when required.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of quality management systems and operational practices.
What we are looking for:
- HNC in a scientific discipline (degree preferred).
- Understanding of water treatment processes and distribution systems.
- Knowledge of UK water quality legislation.
- Strong analytical and risk assessment skills.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to manage priorities and deliver to time, cost, and quality targets.
What's in it for you:
- Generous holiday allowance 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: 26th 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 every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way. Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Water Quality Scientist in Devon employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly impact public health and environmental sustainability. With generous benefits such as a competitive pension scheme, flexible holiday options, and extensive training opportunities, we foster a culture of growth and inclusivity in one of the UK's most beautiful regions. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a meaningful difference while enjoying a supportive workplace that values diversity and innovation.
