Water Quality Response Scientist

The Role

This is a fast-paced and impactful role at the heart of protecting public health and water quality. As a Water Quality Response Scientist, you’ll play a critical part in responding to water quality enquiries and incidents—helping to assess, investigate, and manage situations to secure drinking water quality.

Using your scientific expertise, you’ll interpret water quality data, assess potential risks, and provide clear, timely advice on the actions needed to protect customers and communities. No two days are the same—this role requires quick thinking, sound judgement, and the ability to make decisions in high-pressure situations.

You’ll collaborate closely with a wide range of teams, including operational field teams, laboratories, regulators, and public health partners. Acting as a key point of coordination during events, you’ll ensure responses are well-managed, compliant, and informed by robust scientific evidence.

Beyond event response, you’ll also contribute to strengthening our future resilience—supporting preparedness planning, refining response processes, and helping us continuously improve how we manage water quality risks.

Working Pattern [Key Information]

This role follows a weekend-focused shift pattern, and applicants should carefully consider their availability before applying:

• Friday: 12:00 – 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 – 20:00
• Sunday: 08:00 – 20:00
• Monday: Up to 2 hours (typically morning handover support)

The remaining hours will be agreed on case by case basis for training, team days, to equate to an average of 37 hours per week.

⚠️ Please note: This role requires regular weekend working and out-of-hours incident response as a core part of the position.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide out-of-hours scientific and regulatory response to water quality incidents, customer, and stakeholder enquiries
• Contribute to incident response, advising on risk mitigation and control measures
• Analyse and interpret water quality monitoring data and laboratory results
• Coordinate investigations with laboratories, rapid response teams, and partner agencies
• Provide advice alongside public health professionals to minimise risk to public health
• Produce technical reports, risk assessments, and incident summaries
• Support incident planning, training, and simulation exercises
• Identify trends, emerging risks, and system vulnerabilities
• Support improvements to incident management processes and knowledge sharing

Regulatory Oversight

• Monitor compliance with water quality regulations
• Review operational performance, monitoring data, and incident reports
• Provide regulatory and technical guidance on drinking water quality
• Support inspections, audits, and regulatory assessments

Business-as-Usual Activities

• Analyse water quality datasets and monitoring programmes
• Support water safety plans, risk assessments, and regulatory submissions
• Contribute to development of guidance and policy
• Participate in national or regional water quality projects
• Maintain accurate records and technical documentation

Stakeholder Engagement

You will work collaboratively with:

• Internal teams requiring water quality or regulatory support
• Drinking Water Quality Regulator
• Public health organisations
• Local authorities

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline
• Significant relevant experience (typically around 5 years post-qualification) in a water quality, regulatory, or public health environment.
• Strong understanding of drinking water quality legislation and treatment processes
• Ability to analyse complex data and make decisions with limited information
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to non-technical audiences
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and build credibility
• Experience handling complex, non-routine enquiries in high-pressure environments

About Us

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.