Luca Ringsquandl is the first trainee to become a specialist in water supply technology for 23 years - jointly responsible for the drinking water supply for the entire city
April 19, 2024. You work with one of the most strictly controlled foods in Germany: specialists in water supply technology ensure that clean water always flows from the taps. The job is extremely versatile and the training is also tough. Manfred Prostmaier, water master at Stadtwerke Burghausen, wants to better position his team and decided to also take on a trainee. In September 2023, Luca Ringsquandl, the first trainee in 23 years, began training to become a water supply technology specialist at Burghauser Stadtwerke.
“I am active in the volunteer fire department in Raitenhaslach and have often wondered where, for example, the water from the hydrants comes from,” says Luca Ringsquandl. With this question, the 17-year-old at Stadtwerke has come to the right place. Together with his four colleagues, he is not only responsible for supplying all households and companies with water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but also ensures, for example, that the hydrants in the city work in the event of an emergency.
Training to become a specialist in water supply technology takes three years and is quite demanding. After completing training and three years of professional experience, a specialist could manage the water supply of communities with up to 5000 inhabitants alone and without a master's degree. This requires a lot of knowledge and skill. Water supply includes the extraction of water from the wells, the storage and distribution of the water in the urban area.
The Burghausen water is largely obtained from the Weilhartsforst in Austria, and water from two wells in the Burghausen urban area is also added. The three wells, the drinking water reservoirs at the castle and the Kümmernis as well as the water pipes must be regularly monitored and maintained. The employees check the elevated containers at the castle and the Kümmernis every week.
Twice a year, the 190 km long pipe network is routinely checked with a measuring van; if water consumption increases, the waterworks employees also check the pipe network. “We put a lot of energy into checking, but that's why we rarely have burst pipes in Burghausen that remain undetected for a long time,” explains Ingo Freinecker, a water supply technology specialist with whom Luca regularly travels.
If a pipe breaks, a lot of water can leak out, depending on the severity of the break. Then it gets dirty and really tiring for the employees in the pipe trench. When you then go to one of the drinking water monitoring facilities, you first have to put on clean clothes. Because there are high quality standards when dealing with drinking water. Walking into the waterworks with your clothes splashed from a burst water pipe is taboo.
Another task where a professional and tidy appearance is considered good form is replacing and checking water meters. There are 4600 house connections in the Burghausen urban area and every water meter must be replaced every six years.
A lot of technical, chemical and physical understanding is required to become a water supply technology specialist. Knowledge of electrical engineering and the ability to use computers safely are also becoming increasingly important, as many tasks are now being carried out by electronic machines.
“And you should be able to cope well with a wide range of weather conditions. It can also happen that there is a burst water pipe when it is below zero outside, the ground is frozen or there is a lot of snow,” Luca adds. But even if the work is often strenuous, Luca really enjoys it and is looking forward to the further tasks and challenges during his training.
In addition to training to become a water supply technology specialist, there are 14 other apprenticeships available at the city of Burghausen. You can find a list of all apprenticeships at www.burghausen.de/bildung.
