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