Drinking Water Compliance Manager

South Staffs Water; Walsall; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

South Staffordshire Water is seeking a Drinking Water Compliance Manager to lead a specialist team responsible for safeguarding public health and ensuring full compliance with drinking water quality standards. You’ll oversee end-to-end monitoring strategies, lead responses to water quality incidents, and drive continuous improvement to enhance customer confidence.

This high-impact leadership role combines technical expertise with strategic influence, representing the company across regulators

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. Bacteriological Sciences).
• Chartered status (or working towards) - Desirable
• Strong knowledge of water quality regulations, DWI guidance, and the Water Industry Act.
• Experience operating in a regulated utilities environment.
• Understanding of sampling, analytical methods, QA/QC, and UKAS standards.
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills—particularly in incident scenarios.
• Familiarity with systems such as SCADA, GIS, and water quality databases.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing water quality team, managing performance, development, and engagement
• Ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 and Information Direction 2020
• Develop and deliver water quality monitoring and sampling programmes
• Investigate incidents and regulatory breaches, ensuring effective resolution and learnings applied
• Provide expert advice to operational teams to maintain safe, compliant water quality standards
• Monitor performance metrics, driving continuous improvement and innovation
• Oversee audits, policies, and hygiene practices to support public health protection
• Act as the Company's lead representative with the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), external regulators and industry groups, influencing best practice and shaping strategic responses to emerging water quality challenges.
• Communicate key water quality updates and insights across the organisation

Education

Degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. Bacteriological Sciences)

Job description

Drinking Water Compliance Manager

Salary: £55,000 per annum (DOE) | Company Benefits
Location: Walsall or Cambridge | Hybrid
Contract: Full Time | Permanent | 37 hours per week

About Us:

South Staffordshire Water operates across two regions as Cambridge Water and South Staffs Water, and is a privately-owned regulated water only company.

South Staffs Water supplies a population of nearly 1.3 million. The area of supply stretches from the edge of Ashbourne in the North, to Halesowen in the South, and from Burton-on-Trent in the East, to Kinver in the West.

The Role:

As Water Quality & Regulations Manager, you will lead a specialist team responsible for safeguarding public health and ensuring full compliance with water quality standards. You’ll oversee end-to-end monitoring strategies, lead responses to water quality incidents, and drive continuous improvement to enhance customer confidence.

This is a high-impact leadership role where you’ll combine technical expertise with strategic influence representing the company across the industry while shaping the future of safe, high-quality drinking water.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a high-performing water quality team, managing performance, development, and engagement
• Ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 and Information Direction 2020
• Develop and deliver water quality monitoring and sampling programmes
• Investigate incidents and regulatory breaches, ensuring effective resolution and learnings applied
• Provide expert advice to operational teams to maintain safe, compliant water quality standards
• Monitor performance metrics, driving continuous improvement and innovation
• Oversee audits, policies, and hygiene practices to support public health protection
• Act as the Company's lead representative with the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), external regulators and industry groups, influencing best practice and shaping strategic responses to emerging water quality challenges.
• Communicate key water quality updates and insights across the organisation

What You’ll Need:

• Degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. Bacteriological Sciences)
• Chartered status (or working towards) - Desirable
• Strong knowledge of water quality regulations, DWI guidance, and the Water Industry Act
• Experience operating in a regulated utilities environment
• Understanding of sampling, analytical methods, QA/QC, and UKAS standards
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills—particularly in incident scenarios
• Familiarity with systems such as SCADA, GIS, and water quality databases
• Full UK driving licence