Drinking Water Safety Plan Analyst

If you have a scientific, analytical mind and have an interest in the water supply system from catchment to consumer you may be suited to a career as a Drinking Water Safety Plan Analyst.

What will you be doing?

In your role as Drinking Water Safety Plan Analyst, you will be responsible for supporting the Drinking Water Safety Plan team’s day to day and regulatory activities by maintaining and developing the Safety Plans for all assets and assessing risks to water quality from catchment to consumer. The scope of the role is broad, and you will be working both in the office and out on site at catchments, abstraction points, treatment works, service reservoirs and throughout the distribution system. You will be in regular contact with staff from a wide range of teams across the business, particularly on the operational side. You will be reviewing water quality hazards, undertaking site visits and inspections, conducting audits at all the types of asset we operate, interrogating and analysing of water sample data and online monitoring data from our telemetry systems, assessing the effectiveness of controls in place to reduce the level of risk, tracking and reviewing risks within the register, and raising awareness of water quality and promoting best-practice across the business.

Day to day you’ll

• Maintain the Excel-based Drinking Water Safety Plan system for all assets and update them with details of changes made to risk scores and risk status.
• Continually improve and refine the DWSP system by identifying and implementing efficiencies and smarter ways of working and ensuring the DWSP methodology is up to date.
• Plan and undertake risk reviews for specific parameters or asset type using a risk-based approach to prioritisation and provide updates to the Water Quality Management Team.
• Plan and undertake targeted investigations and audits at sites in conjunction with subject matters experts to ascertain the level of water quality risk.
• Liaise with colleagues across the business to obtain progress updates on the controls in place to mitigate existing risks.
• Prepare reports for the monthly regulation 28 submissions to DWI and the annual submission.
• Respond to requests for information and data from inset companies (NAVs).
• Maintain, develop and refine the new QGIS mapping tool for enhanced visualisation of risk and to enable robust water quality risk assessment to be undertaken for a wider range of hazards and parameters.
• Review water quality sample data to validate risk scores and determine the appropriateness of the sampling frequency in place.
• Track the investigations being undertaken by other teams where new risks are reported or where existing threats are being managed.
• Liaise with external bodies such as councils, the environment agency, large commercial enterprises and other water companies, and build relationships to encourage the free flow of information on risk.

What we’re looking for

• Ideally, you’ll have experience in environmental and water science.
• An understanding of catchment hydrology and land use and the associated impact on water sources that can result from a wide range of activities.
• An understanding of the interconnectivity between assets in a water supply system from catchment to consumer.
• An understanding of the operation and maintenance of water treatment processes, water distribution networks, or similar industrial processes.
• An ability to understand and make decisions using scientific data and scientific literature.
• An ability to comprehend and rationalise complex relationships and systems.
• Confident and articulate verbal communication and an ability to influence.
• An ability to plan and prioritise effectively.
• An attention to detail and ensuring accuracy.
• Strong IT skills (particularly in Excel, Power BI, GIS mapping systems).
• Strong report writing skills and an ability to translate and summarise technical information into a digestible format for communication the Water Quality team and the wider business.
• An understanding of the regulatory framework associated with the water industry and water fittings regulations.
• Full Valid UK Driving Licence.

What’s in it for you? 

As well as a great opportunity to develop your career, the role offers:

• 7.5% bonus.
• 27 days holiday starting allowance, rising to 30 after time in service, plus bank holidays.
• Entry into the company pension scheme.
• Flexible benefits and access to discounts.
• Supportive friendly working environment.
• Opportunity for some home working.
• Onsite parking, when you’re in the office.