Trade Effluent Technologist - Reading, Berkshire in Swallowfield

This is a hands-on, customer-facing role focused on protecting the environment and public health by monitoring and controlling trade effluent discharges into the public foul sewer. You’ll work closely with businesses and internal operational teams, carrying out site visits, assessments, and investigations that help reduce risk to Thames Water’s assets, our people, and the environment.

What you’ll be doing as a Trade Effluent Technologist:

• Reviewing new trade effluent applications within agreed timescales, including visiting customer sites to gather information for process understanding, volumetric assessment, pollution prevention, health & safety, and billing purposes.
• Managing trade effluent customers within a defined catchment area to support sewage treatment works compliance, pollution reduction, and leakage targets.
• Working alongside operational teams and responding to incidents involving trade effluent customers.
• Carrying out Surface Water Pollution Risk Assessments (SWPRA) to ensure residual chemical levels entering the environment after sewage treatment remain within safe limits.
• Completing reassessments of existing trade effluent dischargers in line with the Urban Wastewater Directive, ensuring discharge consents are accurate and charges are fair.

What you should bring to the role:

• A background in laboratory chemistry, the water or wastewater industry, or a strong working knowledge of wastewater treatment and industrial processes, enabling you to understand data, compliance requirements, and operational impacts.
• A naturally analytical mindset with high levels of self-motivation, allowing you to manage your own workload effectively and adapt confidently when priorities or business needs change.
• Confidence in working within a physically demanding environment, including regular site and business visits, climbing stairs, and safely handling equipment as part of day-to-day activities.
• The ability to work effectively in a customer-facing role, building positive relationships while managing compliance and risk.
• Knowledge of the Water Industry Act or wider water industry regulation would be beneficial.
• A full driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle with space to carry PPE and essential equipment across the Thames Water catchment area.

Base location: Hybrid-based role with regular customer visits and office attendance to support meetings and collaboration. The primary office location is Reading (STW).

What’s in it for you?

• This role will be paid from £31,775 up to £44,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of yourself and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world's water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.