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.

The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Scientist to join our Water Quality team, based in Redruth. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the continued delivery of safe, wholesome drinking water while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and protecting public health across our water supply network.

Working as part of the Water Quality Management Team, you will provide scientific leadership and technical expertise to support operational performance, strategic planning and regulatory compliance. You will lead a team of Water Quality Scientists, driving continuous improvement, maintaining quality management systems and ensuring effective scientific support across the business.

This role plays a critical part in safeguarding public health, responding to incidents and emergencies, supporting operational and capital projects, and ensuring that water quality remains at the forefront of business decision-making.

What You'll Be Doing

• As a proactive member of the Water Quality Management Team, you'll offer scientific input to help formulate business plans and strategies.

• Assist with the preparation of an operating plan and budget, ensuring regulatory standards, cost and efficiency are achieved.

• Recruit, assess and motivate members of the Water Quality Scientist team, including training and guidance where required for professional development.

• Maintain public health by identifying risks and ensuring remedial measures are communicated where applicable to the relevant regulators, authorities and Health Protection Agency.

• Providing direction, support and advice in the event of emergencies and incidents.

• Review and assess Method Standards and risk assessments and maintain the quality management systems across the business.

• Review operational practices and processes, identifying opportunities for improvements in efficiency and productivity whilst minimising the Company’s exposure to risk.

• Ensure effective planning and delivery of scientific and technical support, taking into account emerging regulatory requirements.

• Ensure that Health and Safety policies and current UK and EC legislation is adhered to.

• Manage and provide out of hours Water Quality advice, reporting and liaison arrangements.

• Recommend, consider and appraise new works proposals, liaising with colleagues in other parts of the Company as appropriate, to assess if new schemes are likely to meet relevant quality standards.

• Ensure that commissioning operations for new plant allow smooth transition where changes to process are required, with no adverse effects on water quality.

• Implement and further improve the quality management systems, including the adoption of best working practices

What We're Looking For

Essential Requirements

• Degree level qualification (or higher) in a relevant scientific discipline.

• Extensive knowledge of drinking water quality, water treatment processes and water distribution operations.

• Strong understanding of UK water quality, environmental and public health legislation.

• Experience of leading, managing and developing technical or scientific teams.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to make evidence-based decisions.

• Competent IT, reporting and presentation skills.

• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience within the water industry or a comparable regulated environment.

• Knowledge of quality management systems and regulatory audit processes.

• Experience supporting operational incidents and emergency response activities.

• Chartered status or working towards professional accreditation with a recognised scientific body.

What We Offer

At South West Water, our people are the heart of everything we do. We believe in creating an environment where everyone can thrive, bring their best every day, and feel truly valued. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career and financial future.

Benefits Include

• 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing with length of service

• Holiday buy and sell scheme

• Company bonus scheme

• Competitive pension scheme with company contribution matching

• Life assurance

• Group income protection

• Enhanced family leave policies, including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave

• Share schemes, including discounted shares and share matching opportunities

• Health cash plan

• Free annual flu vaccination

• Employee Assistance Programme providing 24/7 wellbeing, financial and lifestyle support

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Car share scheme

• Give As You Earn charitable giving scheme

• Paid volunteering day

• Access to a wide range of retail discounts and employee offers

Closing Date:

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.