Water Quality Manager

ESP Utilities Group Ltd; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A water utility company in the UK is seeking a Water Quality Manager to lead the water quality team, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. The role involves managing water quality regulations, engaging with stakeholders, and overseeing water safety planning. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field and experience in water quality regulation. Excellent communication skills and team leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a scientific field related to water quality.
• Experience of leading teams and managing projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the water quality team to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Engage with regulators and stakeholders regarding water quality.
• Manage and approve the regulatory and operational sample programme.

Skills

Water quality regulation

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Degree in relevant scientific subject

Job description

Overview

Water Quality Manager

ESP are seeking to employ a Water Quality Manager. This role presents an exciting opportunity to join an established operations team responsible for the specification, adoption and operation of water and waste-water networks in England and Wales.

Role Purpose

This critical role will lead the water quality team, ensuring ESP meets all the regulatory and operation requirements associated with providing wholesome drinking water to our consumers across our sites. In doing this they will ensure that ESP maintains a favourable regulatory position and meets its statutory obligations as a NAV.

They will lead on regular engagement with regulators, stakeholders, suppliers and incumbent water companies in relation to drinking water quality and will manage the requirements of the Water Fittings Regulations 1999. They will also support the regulation team in producing and maintaining the company\'s WRMP (Water Resource Management Plan) and Drought Plan in line with regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring ESP meets the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 amended 2018.
• Responsible for ESP \'s drinking water safety planning methodology and approach.
• Ensure that all regulatory reporting to DWI is accurate, timely, professional and efficiently delivered including WQ incident management and reporting.
• Ensure all WQ consumer complaints and enquiries are handled efficiently, including any that may come from the DWI or CCW.
• Maintain and regularly review water quality policies, procedures and consumer WQ advice leaflets ensuring they meet regulatory requirements and the needs of consumers.
• Approval and management of the regulatory and operational sample programme. This will include contract management of our laboratory contractor.
• Carry out periodic quality and compliance audits on the laboratories employed and any other outsourced functions, reporting internally on findings, and ensuring these are addressed by service providers.
• Support water and asset engineers with scientific advice including acting as water company controller where required for mains commissioning approvals.
• Support Regulation team and Operations in undertaking the annual return for WRMP and carrying out supply / demand balances for our sites.
• Provide regular internal water quality reports on the status of water quality compliance.
• Ensure regular engagement and constructive relationships with Regulators, Stakeholders, Local Authorities, Health bodies and other water companies representing ESP in relation to the NAV, ensuring regulatory changes associated with water quality are implemented. This will include shaping and influencing regulatory requirements, where possible, to the advantage of ESPW
• Representative at Water UK and relevant INA (Independent Networks Association) groups.
• Management of Water Quality Team (Water Quality Scientist and Water Fittings Inspector(s))
• Management of Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, processes
• Provide internal water quality advice and training as appropriate including on Reg 31 (materials in contact) compliance.
• Adherence to health and safety procedures
• Will require some travel within the UK, with occasional overnight stays.

Key Skills

• Ideally educated to degree level in a relevant scientific subject or significant experience of working in a scientific field.
• Experience and knowledge of water quality regulation, water quality science, water quality customer service, water resource reporting and public health issues.
• Experience of leading and managing a team.
• Considerable experience of working with water industry regulators and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with experience of managing contractors.
• Ability to think and operate strategically and tactically, bringing an energetic and curious approach to problem solving.
• Commercial, business and industry sector awareness are desirable.
• Good IT skills with the ability to analyse and interpret data and to develop appropriate guidance.
• Experience of delivering water quality and water fittings training and advice.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an enthusiasm to succeed.