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. 

We are currently recruiting a Pollution Technician to join our team in Plymouth.

Joining us on a full-time permanent basis, you will receive a salary of £28,645 - £38,917 per annum plus.

Core hours are 37 per week, with a 1 in 9 standby rota requirement

As the Pollution Technician you will be embedded with the Customer Service & Network team to provide specialised support around all pollution related matters. Working alongside the Flooding and Planned Work Technicians, the Pollution Technician will become an integral part of the area Network team, acting as a main point of contact for pollutions and flooding outside of property curtilages.

The Pollution Technician will take the lead at a local area level on pollution management, primarily focussed on incident management, recording and reporting on internal systems and providing information to the asset manager for incident updates and impact evidence.

What you'll be doing:

• Monitor and keep track of all pollution incidents in the area and ensure all event information and impact evidence is captured in PIRS in line with the 28-day pollutions process. Track remedial actions to conclusion and ensure operational tasks post pollution are completed

• Responsible for ensuring incident feedback has been provided to the Asset manager to answer regulator questions, seeking assistance and information from the area team where required

• Preparation of Incident Summary Reports for submission by the Asset Manager to the Regulator covering ‘no impact’, ‘third party’ and non-event scenarios

• Track and manage external flooding incidents (outside property curtilages) through to resolution, ensuring all data is entered onto FIRS in line with the business process timescales

• Promote further work for asset failures that are outside property curtilages and track to completion. This includes reactive repairs, RIO, planned programme, CCTV investigations, reactive cleansing, hydraulic modelling, flood mitigation modelling, LYL/FOG/Misconnection investigations and S81 repairs

• Share planned work required as a result of external flooding and pollution investigations with the Planned Work Technician to set up and monitor. Work with the Planned Work Technician to ensure that MST frequencies are changed as required and MST’s are removed/added.

• Supporting operational teams with impact/third party investigations attending site if necessary and supporting the business in the event of environmental incidents

• Build and maintain constructive relationships with the environmental regulator and provide internal advice and updates on EA guidance and regulations covering pollution incidents

• Provide support to the Regional Operational Manager to ensure all RCA actions are completed in a timely manner and provide support to other areas of the business as required (Drinking Water Services)

• Take part in an OOH rota if required

What we are looking for:

• 5 GCSEs at grades A-C or equivalent including Maths, English and a Science subject; or

• ONC / City and Guilds in relevant subject or NVQ Waste Water Process or Sewerage Control Level 2 standard of competence or HNC / Water Diploma

• Technical outlook and ability to analyse and administer varied data sources to make decision and or present information for action

• IT Literate, to include use of MS systems

• Full UK Drivers Licence

• Ability to undertake out of hours standby duties

Benefits:

·       Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays

·       A discretionary Bonus

·       Competitive Contributory Pension

·       Share-save Scheme

·       Various health benefits

·       Wellbeing support programmes

·       A range of Group Discounts

·       Cycle to Work Scheme

·       Financial support services

Closing Date: 19th February 2026

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.