In what situation might a wastewater technician need to perform troubleshooting?

A wastewater technician is typically called upon to troubleshoot when equipment is underperforming or malfunctioning. This situation requires identifying the root causes of the issues affecting the machinery or system performance. Troubleshooting involves systematic investigation and diagnostic techniques to isolate the problems, which can include everything from mechanical failures to operational errors.

In contrast, routine maintenance, initial installations, or cleaning do not necessarily require troubleshooting. Routine maintenance is performed to ensure that systems continue to operate efficiently and address wear and tear before it leads to failure. Initial installations focus on setting up equipment and systems according to specifications, while cleaning is mainly about removing debris or waste to maintain operational efficiency. These activities, while essential, do not inherently involve the diagnostic process required for troubleshooting.