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Leakage operative

leakage controller leakage technician leakage engineer water distribution operative
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Construction and building
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Career outlook for leakage operative

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£15,000

Experienced

£27,000

Currently employed in Scotland

1,300

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would use specialist equipment to find leaks in water pipes and then arrange repairs to save water. People would depend on you to quickly get their water running again whenever there was a problem.

You would carry out planned surveys and also respond to emergencies, making sure that the water supply is disrupted as little as possible.

Because there is often no visible sign of a leak, you would use specialist equipment to examine water flowing in and out of an area to find out where any leaks are.

You would:

  • Inspect customers' water supply
  • Monitor water system leakage
  • Attach leakage detection equipment to pipes
  • Measure water pressure and flow
  • Record data from the detection equipment and use it to narrow down your search area
  • Listen for sounds that might indicate a leak, using acoustics and noise logging equipment
  • Notify a repair team to come out and fix the leak

The conditions will often be uncomfortable, wet and dirty. You’d need to make sure you follow health and safety regulations.

Working conditions

Hours

You would usually work a shift pattern including nights (when there is less background noise and water use). You may also be on a standby rota for emergencies that happen outside normal working hours. Overtime may be available.

Environment

You would work outside in all weather conditions, sometimes underground inside water pipes. Conditions may be wet and dirty.

Travel

You would travel to each job. A driving licence may be helpful.

UK employment status

Full-time

100%

Part-time

0%

Self employed

0%

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  • Taking responsibility
  • Concentrating
  • Attention to detail
  • Understanding
  • Listening
  • Cooperating
  • Observation

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

You could do a Modern Apprenticeship in the Water Industry. Entry requirements for a Modern Apprenticeship vary but employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF level 4/5.

If you are not joining the industry through an Apprenticeship you do not always need formal qualifications.

Useful subjects

  • Maths (required by most employers) 
  • Science subjects (required by most employers) 
  • English
  • Technologies subjects such as engineering science

Helpful to have

Previous experience of a technical role in:

  • construction
  • plumbing
  • building services engineering or
  • plant maintenance

A driving licence is useful for some jobs.