Senior Water Quality Process Scientist

Southern Water; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water management company in Gravesend is seeking a Senior Water Quality Process Scientist to oversee drinking water quality across the Kent area. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with regulatory standards, conduct detailed investigations into quality incidents, and collaborate with the operations team for optimal water treatment processes. This role offers competitive salary and excellent employee benefits, including a substantial pension scheme and annual leave.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays

Free annual flu jab and eye test vouchers

Pension contributions up to 11%

Employee assistance program

Network of sports and social clubs

Life assurance equal to 4x salary

Health Cash Plan

Study support for job-related qualifications

Qualifications

• Understanding of water treatment principles is vital.
• Graduate level or equivalent experience is required.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and optimize drinking water quality from source to tap.
• Ensure adherence to UK drinking water quality regulations.
• Conduct water quality risk assessments and investigations.

Skills

Water chemistry understanding

Regulatory knowledge

Data analysis in Excel

Mathematical fluency

Teamwork

Education

Degree in science or engineering

Job description

Closing Date

24 / 11 / 2025

Job Title : Senior Water Quality Process Scientist

Location : Kent - Driving licence essential due to site visit requirements

Contract Type : Permanent

Hours : 37 hours p / w

Salary : From £44,000 per annum depending on skills and experience

There has never been a better time to join our organisation as we build towards a greener future, tackling climate change, minimising our environmental impact and reducing our carbon footprint!

Job Overview

Here at Southern Water, we are looking for a Senior Water Quality Process Scientist, covering the Kent area for our Water Performance team.

As a Senior Process Scientist, you will be responsible for monitoring and optimising drinking water quality from source to tap to ensure we meet our customer promise of a constant, high-quality supply. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Ensure that all relevant UK legislations are adhered to, in particular those relating to drinking water quality
• Monitoring and analysis of telemetry and laboratory data
• Routine process audits on the Water Supply Works in your area of responsibility
• Working closely with field operations staff regarding operation and optimisation of treatment processes to ensure compliance with Regulations is maintained for best value
• Undertake water quality risk assessments to ensure risks to quality and production are mitigated, including advising on service recovery during water quality events.
• Undertake detailed investigations into the root cause of water quality compliance failures and incidents and produce reports with recommendations for remedial and preventative actions
• Provide input to planned and reactive reporting to the Drinking Water Inspectorate
• Participating in a standby roster on a minimum 1 / 12-day basis

About You

• Good understanding of water chemistry / biology and the principles of water treatment
• Knowledge of the regulatory principles and framework governing the UK water supply industry
• Graduate in science or engineering or equivalent business experience
• Confident in collecting and analysing data to investigate scientific issues and drawing out conclusions and recommendations
• Excellent IT skills including data analysis in excel
• Good mathematical fluency
• Self‑motivated, assertive, and independent thought whilst being a good team worker working within a reactive environment

As well as a great salary package, we also offer the below benefits!

• 25 days annual leave+ Bank Holidays
• Free annual flu jab and eye test vouchers
• Pension contributions up to 11% (depending on your contribution)
• An employee assistance program
• A network of sports and social clubs
• Company and performance-related bonus
• Life assurance equal to 4x salary
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
• Health Cash Plan
• Two paid volunteering days a year
• Occupational health service
• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
• Digital GP service
• Study support may be available for job‑related qualifications.
• Competitive maternity & paternity leave and flexible return to work options
• Cycle to work scheme.

Join our Water Performance team and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment.

Interested, why not apply?