WISA • Y WP
Wastewater industry offers promising career opportunities A part-time MBA student at Stellenbosch University, and a full-time senior process technician at Umgeni Water, Thandeka Jwara has spent most of her career working and studying simultaneously.
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initially studied towards an NDip Chemical Engineering at Mangosutho University of Technology and was then offered a job as an in-service trainee at Umgeni Water. The nice thing about studying at a university of technology is that it encompasses a lot of on-the-job training, and this gives a student a realistic understanding of their future career. I have now completed my MEng (cum laude), a PGDip in Business Management (cum laude), as well as various other management courses,” explains Jwara. As a senior wastewater technician, Jwara provides process support to wastewater treatment; this involves the monitoring of the process, process audits, and assisting with the designing and commissioning of plants – as well as risk assessments and troubleshooting. “Wastewater is interesting because it is live and alive (what is referred to as biological treatment). If there is something wrong in the treatment process, problems will appear with the end result. A lot of diagnostics are required, and there could be endless possibilities as to why there is a problem in the wastewater treatment process,” she says.
Thandeka Jwara, senior wastewater technician at Umgeni Water, is also the vice lead at WISA YWP’s KZN Chapter
Wastewater misconceptions
Jwara adds that there are a few misconceptions about wastewater treatment. “A lot of people presume that I have to be elbow-deep in sewage to treat wastewater. Others assume that wastewater does not need to be treated – they only think about water treatment. The fact is that water treatment relies heavily on wastewater treatment, as it makes provision for indirect potable reuse and direct potable reuse in some cases.” “The introduction of smart technologies and the concept of using wastewater as a resource – with water reuse and power generation possibilities – make this industry an exciting space. As humans evolve, our needs change and whatever is produced will create waste; that waste ultimately finds its way into wastewater treatment plants. The same goes for advancements in medicine, as these chemical compounds also find their way into wastewater treatment plants. Wastewater treatment is a dynamic career; it is constantly evolving. I love this industry, as it is
impossible to claim that one knows everything or has learned enough.”
Dream job
As a senior wastewater technician at one of South Africa’s largest water boards, Jwara is involved in many interesting projects. “I am working in my dream job, but if I had to do anything else, it would still be within the water sector – driving and influencing ethical, collaborative, service-driven and transformative leadership within the sector, as the Minister of Water and Sanitation.” Jwara encourages young people to seek employment within the wastewater sector. “And once you have a job in the industry, do not become complacent: get involved with WISA’s Young Water Professionals, attend conferences, present at conferences, network, learn from other professionals within the space, write articles, and work towards registering as a professional – be it as a scientist or engineer.”
S E P /O CT 2021
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