Southern Water
Illegal Connections Technician
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Closing Date: 2026-08-14
Job Title: Illegal Technician Technician
Location: (Field based) - across Sussex and Kent areas
Salary: £35,000
Contract Type: Full Time
Company Vehicle & Fuel Card Provided - must hold UK Driving License
Help Protect Our Environment and Coastal Waters
Are you passionate about protecting the environment and making a real difference in local communities? Southern Water is looking for an Illegal Connections Technician to join our team and play a vital role in reducing pollution incidents and protecting our rivers, streams, and bathing waters.
This is a predominantly field-based role where you will proactively investigate pollution entering the environment via the surface water sewer network. Using a variety of investigative techniques, you will trace pollution to its source, work with customers and stakeholders to resolve issues, and support Southern Water's commitment to improving environmental performance.
What You'll Be Doing
As an Illegal Connections Technician, you will:
- Monitor the surface water sewer network and identify signs of pollution.
- Investigate and trace pollution sources using a range of field techniques and technical knowledge.
- Collect and analyse samples to support investigations.
- Engage professionally and positively with customers responsible for illegal connections or misconnections.
- Follow Water UK guidelines to issue formal notifications and letters to offending properties.
- Work collaboratively with Local Authorities, the Environment Agency, and internal stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
- Escalate cases where necessary and support enforcement activities.
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and case updates in line with GDPR requirements.
- Provide regular updates to internal stakeholders on investigation progress and key milestones.
- Support wider business projects aimed at reducing pollution and flooding incidents.
- Assist Bathing Water Management teams with investigations into high sample results and potential sources of contamination.
- Demonstrate Southern Water's values of Succeeding Together, Always Improving, Doing the Right Thing and Working with Care.
What We're Looking For
We're seeking someone who:
- Has a passion for environmental protection and water quality.
- Enjoys problem-solving and investigative work.
- Is confident working independently in a field-based environment.
- Has strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Can manage multiple investigations and prioritise workloads effectively.
- Has excellent attention to detail and record-keeping skills.
- Is comfortable engaging with customers, local authorities, and regulatory bodies.
- Demonstrates professionalism, resilience, and sound decision-making skills.
- Has good IT skills and experience producing reports and maintaining records.
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Desirable Experience
- Experience within water, wastewater, environmental, drainage, utilities, or related sectors.
- Knowledge of sewer networks, drainage systems, or pollution investigations.
- Experience collecting environmental samples and interpreting results.
- Understanding of environmental legislation, water quality issues, or enforcement processes.
What's in it for You?
- Opportunity to make a direct impact on environmental improvement and bathing water quality.
- Varied and rewarding field-based work.
- Company vehicle and fuel card provided.
- Collaboration with a range of internal and external environmental professionals.
- The chance to contribute to Southern Water's environmental commitments and long-term sustainability goals.
- Training and development opportunities to build technical expertise and environmental knowledge.
Southern Water at a Glance
Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed. You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future.
We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation.
Our Commitment to Diversity
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Additional Information
In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years. Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all preemployment checks, including security vetting. Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.
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Our Purpose
Our purpose is big. Our impact is huge. And we know that every single one of us has the power, through our actions, to positively change society and the environment for good. It’s why careers with us have real meaning. Because, if you’re driven and ambitious, we can offer you huge opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and constant innovation.
Forever evolving. Forever focused on doing the right thing, we empower and encourage everyone to play to their strengths and to help us shape a fair and positive future for all. We believe in Water for Life. If you do too, Dive Right In.
Our Customers
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve.
Joining the Southern Water Family
Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.
Flexible Working Opportunities
Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
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