This course is generally 3 days in duration and includes classroom-style instruction and review/exam preparation. Completion of this course will prepare operators for the Level І and ІІ Water Treatment Certification Exam.

Introduction and Basics

• Importance and responsibilities of a water treatment plant operator
• Hydrologic cycle
• Surface water sources and water quality
• Groundwater sources, water quality and operational terms
• Drinking water quality legislation and regulations
• Sample collection protocol
• Reservoir Management and Intake Structures

Coagulation and Flocculation

• Purpose of coagulation and flocculation in the water treatment process
• Coagulation process details – flash mixing, types of mixers, use of coagulants, type of coagulant chemicals, etc.
• Flocculation process details – floc basin design, detention time, flocculation aids, incidental flocculation, floc quality characteristics, etc.
• Efficiency of coagulation and flocculation processes – monitoring of water quality, visual observations, use of jar tests, etc.

Sedimentation

• Purpose of sedimentation in the water treatment process
• Water quality characteristics that impact efficiency of sedimentation
• Sedimentation basin design – basin shape/configuration, inlet zone, settling zone, sludge zone, outlet zone
• Tube settlers and plate settlers
• Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) – description of process and associated advantages
• Solids Contact Process (Upflow Clarifiers) – description of process and associated advantages/disadvantages
• Sludge collection and removal – types of collection/removal systems, removal frequency

Filtration

• Purpose of filtration in the water treatment process
• Types of filtration systems – gravity, pressure, slow sand, diatomaceous earth, etc.
• Types of filter media and design configurations
• Filter operation – head loss, turbidity breakthrough, filter production, filtration rate, filter run length, etc.
• Filter backwashing – process description, surface washing, underdrain systems, etc.
• Direct filtration
• Filter operation and maintenance activities

Membrane Processes

• Pressure driven membrane processes – reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, microfiltration and ultrafiltration
• Electrical driven membrane processes

Disinfection

• Purpose and requirements for disinfection
• Impacts of water quality on disinfection efficiency
• Disinfection alternatives
• Properties of chlorine
• Chlorine dosage calculations
• CT
• Chlorine breakpoint
• Basic chlorine chemistry
• Hypo-chlorination equipment
• Gas chlorination equipment
• Chlorine safety

Corrosion Control

• Influencing factors for corrosion – physical, chemical and biological
• Types of corrosion – internal, external, bimetallic, stray current
• Corrosion prevention methods (treatment options)
• Langelier Index

Taste and Odour Control

• Common taste and odour causing compounds
• Removal of taste and odour causing compounds – optimizing coagulation and flocculation processes, aeration, and adsorption
• Destruction of taste and odour causing compounds – oxidation

Iron and Manganese Removal

• Adverse effects of elevated iron and manganese levels in drinking water
• Treatment options – greensand filters, oxidation with potassium permanganate
• Red water problems

Fluoridation

• Purpose for fluoridation of drinking water
• Adverse effects associated with elevated levels of fluoride
• Fluoridation chemicals
• Fluoridation equipment
• Fluoride safety precautions

Softening

• What is hardness?
• Benefits and limitations of softening drinking water
• Softening methods – chemical precipitation, ion exchange

Handling and Disposal of Process Wastes

• Sources of sludge in the water treatment process
• Manual sludge removal
• Sludge dewatering processes – solar drying beds, sand drying beds, belt filter press, centrifuges, filter press, vacuum filter

Cross Connections

• What is a cross connection?
• Types of cross connection prevention devices – air gap, atmospheric vacuum breaker, pressure vacuum breaker, double check valve assembly, reduced pressure zone device

Pumps and Hydraulics

• Pump applications in a water distribution system
• Types of pumps and how they work – positive displacement, centrifugal pumps, turbine pumps
• Pump components – impellers, packing, lantern rings, mechanical seals, bearings
• Operation and maintenance of pumps – pump alignment, cavitation, net positive suction head, troubleshooting

Lab Procedures

• Description of glassware, chemicals, lab equipment, and instrumentation
• Laboratory and field safety
• Quality assurance and control
• Specific tests such as hydrogen ion concentration (pH), alkalinity, total hardness, chlorine demand, chlorine residual, fluoride, iron, nitrate, coliforms, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, conductivity, temperature, colour, etc.
• Proper procedures and techniques for collecting bacteriological samples

Math and Metric for Water Treatment Operators

• Math and metric related discussions
• Practice Questions – review of typical math certification exam questions

Certification Exam Preparation

Practice Questions – typical certification exam questions related to water treatment plant operation