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daily Instructor: Dr. Shirley QuinnCourse Overview
Water Quality and Characterization
Physical Properties of Water
- Understanding the significance of temperature, color, taste, and odor in water quality assessment and their impact on treatment processes.
- Detailed analysis of turbidity, including causes (suspended solids, colloidal matter, phytoplankton), measurement techniques (Nephelometry, Turbidimetry), and its correlation with disinfection effectiveness.
- Examination of density, viscosity, and surface tension of water and their influence on hydraulic design and chemical reactions.
Chemical Properties of Water
- Comprehensive study of major ions (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate) – their sources, equilibrium reactions, and impact on water hardness and corrosivity.
- In-depth exploration of pH, alkalinity, acidity, and buffering capacity, including calculations and practical applications for pH adjustment.
- Detailed analysis of dissolved gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide) – their sources, effects on water quality, and methods for measurement and control.
- Understanding of oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and its role in disinfection and corrosion control.
- Detailed examination of organic matter in water, including dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total organic carbon (TOC), and their impact on disinfection byproduct formation.
Microbiological Properties of Water
- Identification and characterization of indicator organisms (E. coli, coliforms) and pathogens (viruses, bacteria, protozoa) in water.
- Detailed study of microbial growth kinetics, including factors affecting growth (temperature, pH, nutrients) and methods for enumeration (membrane filtration, MPN).
- Understanding of disinfection principles and the impact of water quality parameters on disinfection efficacy.
- Examination of biofilm formation and its implications for water systems.
Water Treatment Processes
Coagulation and Flocculation
- Detailed explanation of the theory behind coagulation and flocculation, including zeta potential, charge neutralization, and particle aggregation.
- Comprehensive study of different coagulants (alum, ferric chloride, polymers) – their mechanisms of action, dosage optimization, and impact on water quality.
- Examination of flocculation mechanisms (slow mixing, rapid mixing) and the design of flocculation basins.
- Understanding of sludge characteristics and disposal methods.
Sedimentation
- Detailed analysis of sedimentation principles, including Stokes' Law and hindered settling.
- Design and operation of different types of sedimentation basins (rectangular, circular, lamella).
- Understanding of settling velocities and their influence on basin sizing.
- Examination of sludge removal systems and their impact on basin performance.
Filtration
- Detailed study of different filtration processes: rapid sand filtration, slow sand filtration, granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration, membrane filtration (microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis).
- Understanding of filter media characteristics (particle size, porosity, specific gravity) and their influence on filtration efficiency.
- Examination of filter backwashing techniques and their impact on filter performance.
- Detailed analysis of membrane fouling mechanisms and mitigation strategies.
Disinfection
- Comprehensive study of disinfection principles and mechanisms, including oxidation, inactivation, and cell damage.
- Detailed examination of different disinfection methods: chlorination (free chlorine, combined chlorine, chloramines), ozonation, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs).
- Understanding of disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation and control strategies.
- Detailed analysis of CT values and their relationship to disinfection efficacy.
Wastewater Treatment Processes
Preliminary Treatment
- Detailed explanation of screening, grit removal, and flow equalization – their purpose and design considerations.
- Understanding of different types of screens (bar screens, mechanical screens) and their maintenance requirements.
- Examination of grit chambers and their impact on downstream processes.
Primary Treatment
- Detailed study of sedimentation in primary clarifiers and its effectiveness in removing settleable solids.
- Understanding of sludge characteristics and disposal methods.
Secondary Treatment
- Comprehensive study of biological treatment processes: activated sludge process (conventional, modified), trickling filters, rotating biological contactors (RBCs), membrane bioreactors (MBRs).
- Detailed analysis of microbial populations involved in wastewater treatment and their role in organic matter removal.
- Understanding of nutrient removal processes (nitrogen and phosphorus).
- Examination of sludge production and management in biological treatment systems.
Tertiary Treatment
- Detailed study of advanced wastewater treatment processes: filtration, disinfection, nutrient removal (biological and chemical), and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs).
- Understanding of the principles behind tertiary treatment and its role in achieving high-quality effluent.
Sludge Treatment and Disposal
Sludge Stabilization
- Detailed explanation of sludge stabilization processes: anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, lime stabilization, and composting.
- Understanding of the benefits of sludge stabilization (odor control, pathogen reduction, volume reduction).
- Examination of biogas production and utilization in anaerobic digestion.
Sludge Dewatering
- Detailed study of sludge dewatering techniques: gravity thickening, belt filter presses, centrifuges, and drying beds.
- Understanding of sludge characteristics and their influence on dewatering efficiency.
Sludge Disposal
- Comprehensive study of sludge disposal options: land application, landfilling, incineration, and beneficial reuse.
- Understanding of regulatory requirements for sludge disposal.
Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems
Water Distribution System Hydraulics
- Detailed analysis of pipe flow equations (Darcy-Weisbach, Hazen-Williams) and their application in water distribution system design.
- Understanding of pressure zones, head loss calculations, and pump selection.
- Examination of water age and its impact on water quality.
Wastewater Collection System Design
- Detailed study of gravity flow principles and their application in wastewater collection system design.
- Understanding of sewer hydraulics, manhole design, and ventilation requirements.
- Examination of inflow and infiltration (I&I) and its impact on collection system performance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For detailed information about our Water and Wastewater Treatment course, including what you’ll learn and course objectives, please visit the "About This Course" section on this page.
The course is online, but you can select Networking Events at enrollment to meet people in person. This feature may not always be available.
We don’t have a physical office because the course is fully online. However, we partner with training providers worldwide to offer in-person sessions. You can arrange this by contacting us first and selecting features like Networking Events or Expert Instructors when enrolling.
Contact us to arrange one.
This course is accredited by Govur University, and we also offer accreditation to organizations and businesses through Govur Accreditation. For more information, visit our Accreditation Page.
Dr. Shirley Quinn is the official representative for the Water and Wastewater Treatment course and is responsible for reviewing and scoring exam submissions. If you'd like guidance from a live instructor, you can select that option during enrollment.
The course doesn't have a fixed duration. It has 28 questions, and each question takes about 5 to 30 minutes to answer. You’ll receive your certificate once you’ve successfully answered most of the questions. Learn more here.
The course is always available, so you can start at any time that works for you!
We partner with various organizations to curate and select the best networking events, webinars, and instructor Q&A sessions throughout the year. You’ll receive more information about these opportunities when you enroll. This feature may not always be available.
You will receive a Certificate of Excellence when you score 75% or higher in the course, showing that you have learned about the course.
An Honorary Certificate allows you to receive a Certificate of Commitment right after enrolling, even if you haven’t finished the course. It’s ideal for busy professionals who need certification quickly but plan to complete the course later.
The price is based on your enrollment duration and selected features. Discounts increase with more days and features. You can also choose from plans for bundled options.
Choose a duration that fits your schedule. You can enroll for up to 180 days at a time.
No, you won't. Once you earn your certificate, you retain access to it and the completed exercises for life, even after your subscription expires. However, to take new exercises, you'll need to re-enroll if your subscription has run out.
To verify a certificate, visit the Verify Certificate page on our website and enter the 12-digit certificate ID. You can then confirm the authenticity of the certificate and review details such as the enrollment date, completed exercises, and their corresponding levels and scores.
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Begin the course by selecting your experience level in the course content section:
Beginner: Master the material with interactive questions and enough time.
Intermediate: Get certified faster with hints and balanced questions.
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To download and share your certificate, you must achieve a combined score of at least 75% on all questions answered.