Lab, Sampling & Analytical

This operator education course will examine accident investigation, identify the components of a prevention program, and describe how to implement the program. Treatment plant safety reflects literally thousands of hazards. Preparation for all hazards, regardless of their chance of occurring in one’s particular circumstances, is an almost impossible task. However, implementation of an accident investigation program can effectively focus a facility on safety issues..

1. Understand why accidents should be investigated.
2. Know who should investigate accidents.
3. Understand accident investigation follow-up.
4. Be able to apply accident investigation concepts.

This operator education course explains in a step by step method how to perform the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (Carb BOD) analytical tests, including quality assurance and control measures. This method can be used to report BOD and Carb BOD results to Ohio EPA as required in wastewater treatment plant National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits. All needed equipment, chemicals, and glassware is listed. Data and sample calculations are presented to provide templates for the operator to use when performing this test.

1. Understand what BOD and Carb BOD analytical tests measure and how to perform those tests.
2. Have a clear understanding of the appropriate quality assurance checks used for this analytical test.
3. Understand how to prepare materials for these tests.

This operator education course will explain the dangers associated with bloodborne pathogens. In addition to bloodborne pathogens, other potentially infectious materials may present a risk of harm in the wastewater workplace. In this contact hour course, both blood and other infectious materials will be referred to as “PIM” (potentially infectious materials).

1. Understand the nature of bloodborne pathogens.
2. Learn about types of potentially infectious material.
3. Introduce students to wastewater infectious diseases.
4. Understand means of transmission.

This course defines hardness as it relates to drinking water and discusses some of the associated problems. The precipitation softening process for drinking water treatment is also discussed with an emphasis on the chemistry of softening.

1. Upon completion of this course, the operator should understand the cause of drinking water hardness, the impacts and the precipitation process for softening.

This operator education course will enable the operator/analyst to understand and develop a QA/QC plan for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant laboratory. Even though the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant have different functions, the importance of the laboratory data accuracy remains the same.

1. Understand how to produce legally defensible analytical records of test results.
2. Understand equipment calibration and preventative maintenance procedures.
3. Understand the process for validating methods used to analyze a sample.

This operator education course explains differences between basic types of microorganisms present in activated sludge, their metabolism and correct distribution to achieve optimum wastewater treatment. In addition, the Settling test and food to microorganism (f/m) ratio is explained and sample calculations are provided to aid the operator in optimizing treatment of the wastewater prior to discharge.

1. Understand how to use a microscope to view microorganisms present in activated sludge.
2. Understand microorganisms’ differences, metabolism and correct distribution to achieve optimum wastewater treatment.
3. Understand the importance of the microorganism groups as they relate to determining the food to microorganism (f/m) ratio and settling characteristic.

This course is designed to introduce the operator/analyst to sampling and field analysis methodology at water and wastewater treatment plants. At the heart of any effective analysis is the necessity for quality assurance and quality control. Not all water and wastewater analysis is done in the laboratory. It is often a single individual who must have the knowledge and capabilities of both an operator and an analyst. Inasmuch, he/she must be well-versed in the necessity of quality assurance and quality control in the collection and analysis of water or wastewater, not only in a laboratory setting, but also in the field.

1. Explain the importance of quality assurance and quality control in the field.
2. Discuss the duties of the operator relevant to sampling and analysis.
3. Describe proper steps for field collection of samples for water or wastewater analysis.
4. Describe field analysis methods for water and wastewater systems.

Stainless steel has become the often preferred choice for replacement of old, or fabrication of new, condenser and feedwater heater tubes. The objective of this course is to provide the student with the fundamentals on how tubes are fabricated so that the student can make an informed decision on selection of stainless steel tubing for condenser or feedwater heater applications.

1. Understand the differences between seamless and welded condenser tubing.
2. Be familiar with common stainless feedwater heater alloys.
3. Understand the pros and cons of a variety of non-destructive testing approaches.
4. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of weld bead cold working and heat treatment options.

For many years, surface water operators have recognized the ability of algae, phytoplankton, and bacterial organisms to produce tastes, odors, and clogging of sand filters. These organisms affect pH, alkalinity, corrosion, toxicity, color, turbidity in water, and the operations of water systems. This course will help the water plant operator to better understand problems associated with microorganisms in drinking water, how to identify and analyze taste and odor problems, and how to correct the problems associated with taste and odor problems in drinking water.

1. Identify the causes of taste and odor in municipal water supplies.
2. Describe the characteristics of taste and odor problems.
3. Discuss methods to control taste and odor in drinking water.

This Cross Connection Control course describes the basic fundamental techniques, instruments, and skills needed for a water distribution operator to control and prevent contamination of potable water systems due to cross connections.

1. Gain a basic understanding of how to control and prevent cross connections into potable water supplies.
2. Learn basic information on Chlorine residuals, waterborne bacteria and viruses, hydraulics, and pressure.
3. Gain knowledge of the various dangers associated with potable water corruption and how to avoid possible contamination.
4. Understand the basics of hydraulics and pressure and their impact on cross connection control.

In this course, the operator will accumulate valuable knowledge and understanding of the various types of piping and valves used in a water distribution system, their purpose, and usefulness and functions. In addition, microbiology water borne disease, origins & sources of potable water, and how distribution systems affect outbreaks will be examined. In the latter part of the course, Potable water, Compound Pipe Systems, Friction Loss, Compound Pipe Systems, Chlorine Residual for Water Distribution System, Heterotrophic Bacteria, Sampling Techniques, Microbiology and Waterborne Disease Outbreaks, Transmission and Distribution Mains will be explored.

1. Understand the various types of piping and valves used in a water distribution system.
2. Understand the nature of microbiology water borne disease and how distribution systems affect outbreaks.
3. Understand the importance of chlorine residual for water distribution systems.
4. Understand basic sampling techniques in transmission and distribution mains.

This lesion is designed to help water operators understand the instrumentation and techniques used to monitor the suspended solids entering and exiting an RO unit. The lesion will examine suspended substances such as silica, organics, colloids, bacteria, algae, and fungi.

1. When given a practice exam, be able to compare turbidity, total suspended solids, and number of particles of a sample and be able to correctly calculate "cfu/100mL" of a given sample.

This lesson is designed to help water system operators understand the types of microbiological species found in water and why they can be a problem in a water treatment system.

1. When given a practice exam, be able to correctly identify the various types of microbiological species, biofouling, bacterial growth requirements, biocides, and biostats.

This lesson is designed to help water system operators understand the characteristics of nonliving suspended particles such as colloidal silica, colloidal organics, silt, clay and sand. When these substances cause problems for an RO unit, the problems generally are fouling and additional indirect consequences of fouling.

1. When given a practice exam, be able to correctly identify the terminology associated with nonliving suspended substances (sand, silt, clay, and organics), including their chemical makeup and classification based on particle sizes and composition.

This lesion describes the manner in which atoms bond together to form molecules, how atoms gain an electrical charge, the types of atomic bonds in molecules and the shapes of different types of molecules.

1. When given an exam and a Periodic Table of Elements, be able to identify (circle correct answer or statement) the different forms of ions, covalent bonds, polarity, and chemical reactions.

This lesson describes the properties of water and how these properties affect the treatment of water. The instructor will review the molecular structure of water and the resulting polarity of the molecule. He will then discuss how these chemical characteristics make water such a good solvent and how characteristics of water can vary from different sources.

1. When given an exam, be able to correctly identify the following properties of water and their affects in water treatment: molecular structures, hydrogen bonding, surface tension, solutions, suspensions, and sources of water.

This lesson is designed to provide a basic understanding of the composition of matter, atomic theory and about the chemistry involved in water treatment.

1. When given an exam, be able to correctly identify the various components of elements and molecules, obtain certain information from a Periodic Table of Elements, and correctly measure atomic weights.

This lesion describes the practical aspects of ionization and what effects this has on the treatment of water by reverse osmosis membranes. Although there are several theories describing how RO works, one basic factor allowing this separation is the charge on the ions dissolved in the water. Ions are important for other reasons in RO water treatment. Strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid, are used in membrane cleaning. Other ions, such as those created by high or low pH, will cause damage to some membranes. Still other ions, such as hypochlorite ion, aid in the killing of bacteria.

1. When given an exam, be able to correctly calculate molarity of solutions and identify terms associated with dissolved substances (ions), including: dissociation of ions, acids and bases, pH, oxidation and reduction, and chlorination.

This lesson discusses the methods used to measure the concentration of dissolved chemical compounds in water along with the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

1. When given a practice exam, be able to correctly identify the terminology associated with the measurement of dissolved substances, such as conductivity, resistivity, organics, pH, and chlorine.

This lesson discusses the chemistry of the organic compounds that are of concern when treating water by reverse osmosis membranes. Organics are usually not present in very large concentrations in the water treated by reverse osmosis units. However, their presence is important since their removal may be necessary for the end use of the purified water and also since they may cause operational problems. Organics may cause fouling both directly and indirectly by providing a food source for bacteria. It is also important to have an understanding of organic chemistry since the RO membrane itself is an organic compound.

1. When given a practice exam, be able to correctly calculate molecular weights and identify terms associated with dissolved organic substances, such as organic compounds, functional groups, organic solubility and RO membrane rejection.