Trade Effluent Investigation Technologist

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A major water utility company seeks a Trade Effluent Investigation Technologist to investigate trade effluent discharges and ensure compliance from business clients. The role requires strong communication skills, a driving license, and IT proficiency. Offering a salary of £32,000 - £44,000, flexible work arrangements, and benefits including holiday and pension plans.

Benefits

26 days holiday per year

Performance-related pay plan

Generous Pension Scheme

Health and well-being benefits

Qualifications

• Confident communicator with experience in a customer-facing role.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle.
• Good IT skills (MS Office) and strong attention to detail.
• Able to think logically, follow regulations, and keep accurate records.
• Understanding of wastewater or environmental processes.
• Regulatory background (e.g. auditing, enforcement, police).
• Knowledge of basic chemistry or lab work.
• Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM tools.

Responsibilities

• Visiting business customer sites to investigate trade effluent discharges.
• Encouraging customers to return to compliance.
• Working with operations teams on pollution incidents.
• Raising trade effluent charges for non-compliance.
• Building strong relationships with customers.
• Preparing clear records and reports.

Skills

Confident communicator

Experience in customer-facing role

Good IT skills (MS Office)

Strong attention to detail

Logical thinking

Understanding of wastewater processes

Regulatory background

Knowledge of basic chemistry

Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM tools

Job description

Job title: Trade Effluent Investigation Technologist Ref 42735

Division: Asset Operations & Capital Delivery

Location: Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB

Contract type: Permanent Full/Part-time: Full-time

Salary: This role will be paid from £32,000 to £44,000 depending on skills and experience.

Job grade: B

Closing date: 16/10/2025

You’ll build relationships, address problems on site and step in when things go wrong — whether that’s creating action plans or gathering evidence for enforcement. It’s a hands-on role where every day is different and your work really matters.

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

• Visiting business customer sites to investigate trade effluent discharges and agree on action plans (driving licence essential).
• Encouraging customers to return to compliance — and if not, gathering evidence to support enforcement or prosecution.
• Working with our operations teams on pollution incidents, such as blockages or unusual substances entering treatment works.
• Occasionally raising trade effluent charges for non-compliance.
• Building strong working relationships with customers, colleagues, and legal teams.
• Preparing clear records and reports that stand up to scrutiny.

What you should bring to the role

We know this is quite a unique role, so we don’t expect you to tick every box. If you’re motivated to learn, we would love to hear from you.

• Confident communicator with experience in a customer-facing role.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle.
• Good IT skills (MS Office) and strong attention to detail.
• Able to think logically, follow regulations, and keep accurate records.
• Understanding of wastewater or environmental processes.
• Regulatory background (e.g. auditing, enforcement, police).
• Knowledge of basic chemistry or lab work.
• Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM tools.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary £32,000 – £44,000 depending on experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays).
• Performance-related pay plan up to 10% of salary.
• 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.

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.