Wastewater Investigations Lead

South West Water Limited; Plympton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave + bank holidays

Bonus

Private Healthcare

Company car or cash for car allowance

Competitive contributory pension

Share-save scheme

Health benefits & wellbeing support

Cycle to Work scheme

Development and training opportunities

Job summary

South West Water Limited is seeking an experienced Wastewater Investigations Lead to provide technical and programme leadership across our wastewater investigations portfolio, influencing major environmental improvements and future investment decisions.

You will lead investigations, collaborate with regulators and technical specialists, and translate complex findings into actionable recommendations that shape environmental programmes and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering complex wastewater or environmental investigations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary programmes and consultant-delivered studies.
• Strong analytical capability with environmental data, reports and modelling outputs.
• Experience working with environmental regulators and external stakeholders.
• Ability to influence decision-making through credible technical evidence and recommendations.
• Essential degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geography or Hydrology and understanding of wastewater systems.
• Desirable Chartered status with a relevant professional institution.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a portfolio of wastewater and environmental investigations, delivering to regulatory commitments, budgets and timescales.
• Provide technical leadership and assurance across investigation programmes.
• Review methodologies, modelling outputs and findings for robustness.
• Manage consultants and delivery partners to achieve high-quality outcomes.
• Build relationships with regulators, industry partners and stakeholders.
• Translate findings into recommendations to influence investment and planning.
• Support development of DWMPs and future regulatory programmes.
• Champion initiatives reducing wastewater impact on the environment.

Skills

Analytical ability

Programme leadership

Regulatory experience

Stakeholder engagement

Water/wastewater knowledge

Education

Degree in Environmental Science / Environmental Engineering / Civil Engineering / Geography / Hydrology or related

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes.

We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

Help shape the future of our wastewater environment

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Wastewater Investigations Lead to provide technical and programme leadership across our wastewater investigations portfolio. This is a unique opportunity to influence major environmental improvements, shape future investment decisions, and help protect the rivers, estuaries, bathing waters and coastal environments that matter most to our communities.

Working at the forefront of environmental performance and regulatory delivery, you'll lead complex investigations, collaborate with regulators and technical specialists, and ensure robust evidence is translated into meaningful environmental and operational outcomes.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead and coordinate a portfolio of wastewater and environmental investigations, ensuring delivery to agreed regulatory commitments, budgets and timescales.
• Provide technical leadership and assurance across investigation programmes, driving consistency, quality and best practice.
• Review and challenge technical methodologies, modelling outputs and investigation findings to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose.
• Manage specialist consultants and technical delivery partners to achieve high-quality environmental outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with environmental regulators, industry partners and key stakeholders.
• Translate complex technical findings into clear recommendations that influence future investment, environmental programmes and strategic planning.
• Support the development of long-term plans, including Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs) and future regulatory programmes.
• Champion initiatives that reduce the impact of wastewater systems on the natural environment.

You’ll bring:

• Significant experience delivering complex wastewater or environmental investigations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary programmes and consultant-delivered studies.
• Strong analytical capability, with experience interpreting environmental data, technical reports and modelling outputs.
• Experience working with environmental regulators and external stakeholders.
• The ability to influence decision-making through credible technical evidence and recommendations.
• A passion for environmental improvement and sustainable outcomes., Essential Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geography, Hydrology or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of wastewater systems and environmental regulation.

Desirable

• Desirable Chartered status with a relevant professional institution.
• Knowledge of WINEP, SOAF, Environment Act investigations and wider water industry regulatory programmes.
• Experience supporting DWMP development and/or Price Review submissions.

This is an opportunity to play a leading role in improving environmental performance across the South West. You'll work on some of the industry's most significant environmental challenges, influence future investment decisions, and collaborate with experts across the business, regulatory bodies and the wider water sector.

• 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Bonus
• Private Healthcare
• Company car or cash for car allowance
• Competitive contributory pension
• Share-save scheme
• Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes
• Group discounts
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Financial support services
• Development and training opportunities
• ... and much more!

Closing Date: 5th November 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

• Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
• Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
• Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.