Drinking Water Treatment Course

Lesson 1 • Water Sources and Hydrological Cycle

Covers surface water, groundwater, and atmospheric sources and their quality characteristics. Connects source variability to treatment design decisions.

Lesson 2 • Regulatory Framework and Water Quality Standards

Explains how drinking water standards are set and enforced by regulatory bodies. Grounds students in compliance obligations that drive treatment decisions.

Lesson 3 • Overview of a Water Treatment Plant

Maps the major unit processes from intake to distribution. Gives students a system-level mental model before detailed process study.

Lesson 1 • Indicator Organisms and Microbial Testing

Explains the use of coliform bacteria and other indicators to assess microbial safety. Students interpret test results to guide treatment decisions.

Lesson 2 • Natural Organic Matter and Its Implications

Describes sources and composition of natural organic matter and its role in disinfection byproduct formation. Connects NOM control to downstream treatment steps.

Lesson 3 • Oxidation-Reduction Reactions in Treatment

Explains redox chemistry as it applies to iron, manganese, and disinfectant reactions. Students use oxidation states to predict chemical behavior.

Lesson 4 • Basic Water Chemistry Principles

Covers pH, alkalinity, hardness, and ionic strength as they apply to treatment. These parameters govern chemical dosing and reaction efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Flocculation Mixing and Design

Covers rapid mix and slow mix stages, velocity gradients, and detention time. Students relate mixing energy to floc size and settleability.

Lesson 2 • Sedimentation Basin Design and Operation

Explains overflow rate, weir loading, and sludge removal in conventional settling. Students diagnose performance problems using operational data.

Lesson 3 • Coagulant Types and Chemical Dosing

Compares alum, ferric salts, and polymer coagulants and their optimal pH ranges. Students calculate and adjust doses based on jar test results.

Lesson 4 • Colloidal Stability and Destabilization

Explains why colloids remain suspended and how coagulants overcome electrostatic repulsion. Provides the theoretical basis for coagulant selection.

Lesson 1 • Filter Performance Monitoring and Optimization

Covers continuous turbidity monitoring, particle counting, and filter profiling. Students use data trends to optimize filter operation and extend run times.

Lesson 2 • Slow Sand and Biological Filtration

Describes the schmutzdecke layer and biological removal mechanisms in slow sand filters. Contrasts slow sand with rapid filtration for small system applications.

Lesson 3 • Filter Run Management and Backwashing

Explains head loss development, turbidity breakthrough, and backwash initiation criteria. Students plan backwash sequences to restore filter performance.

Lesson 4 • Membrane Filtration Technologies

Compares microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis by pore size and removal capability. Students match membrane type to treatment objectives.

Lesson 1 • Disinfection Byproduct Formation and Control

Identifies trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and other byproducts and their precursors. Students apply source control and process modifications to minimize DBP formation.

Lesson 2 • Disinfection Kinetics and CT Concept

Explains Chick-Watson kinetics and the CT framework for log inactivation credit. Students calculate required CT values for target pathogens.

Lesson 3 • Ozone and UV Disinfection Systems

Compares ozone and UV as primary disinfectants with no distribution residual. Students evaluate each technology for Cryptosporidium and Giardia inactivation.

Lesson 4 • Chlorine Chemistry and Application

Covers free chlorine, chloramines, and breakpoint chlorination chemistry. Students dose chlorine to achieve residual targets while minimizing byproduct formation.

Lesson 1 • Corrosion Chemistry in Distribution Systems

Identifies electrochemical, galvanic, and microbiologically influenced corrosion mechanisms. Links corrosion to lead and copper release at the tap.

Lesson 2 • Lime-Soda Softening Process

Covers carbonate and non-carbonate hardness removal using lime and soda ash. Students calculate chemical doses and predict softened water quality.

Lesson 3 • Ion Exchange Softening

Explains cation exchange resin operation, regeneration cycles, and brine management. Students compare ion exchange with lime softening for small systems.

Lesson 1 • PFAS Treatment Technologies

Reviews granular activated carbon, ion exchange, and high-pressure membranes for PFAS removal. Students compare removal efficiency and residual management for each technology.

Lesson 2 • Nitrate and Perchlorate Removal

Compares ion exchange, biological denitrification, and reverse osmosis for anion removal. Students evaluate each option based on source water chemistry and system size.

Lesson 3 • Activated Carbon Adsorption

Covers powdered and granular activated carbon for taste, odor, and micropollutant removal. Students design GAC contactors and predict breakthrough curves.

Lesson 4 • Taste, Odor, and Algal Toxin Control

Identifies geosmin, MIB, and cyanotoxins and their treatment options. Students integrate source water monitoring with treatment response protocols.

Lesson 1 • Process Control Instrumentation

Covers flow meters, turbidimeters, analyzers, and SCADA integration for real-time control. Students interpret instrument signals to make informed operational adjustments.

Lesson 2 • Chemical Feed Systems and Safety

Explains metering pumps, bulk storage, and secondary containment for chemical handling. Students apply safe chemical handling procedures and emergency response plans.

Lesson 3 • Operator Certification and Professional Standards

Outlines certification grade levels, continuing education requirements, and ethical obligations. Students understand career pathways and professional responsibilities in water treatment.

Lesson 4 • Operational Troubleshooting and Upset Response

Develops systematic diagnostic skills for common process upsets such as turbidity spikes and residual loss. Students apply root-cause analysis to restore normal operation quickly.