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Francisco Zaldumbide Ortiz

The course consists of 4 topics:

1) Introduction:

* Water issues and uses, important physicochemical parameters (suspended, dissolved, and colloidal solids, pH, acidity and alkalinity, dissolved oxygen).

2) Drinking Water Treatment:

* Conventional Treatment: Intake, oxidation, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration (rapid, slow), disinfection (chlorine, ozone, UV light), activated carbon.

3) Urban Wastewater Treatment:

* Characterization, sampling, pretreatment, and primary treatment.

* Aerobic Biological Processes: Activated sludge, trickling filters, biodiscs, SAF-

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The course consists of 4 topics:

1) Introduction:

* Water issues and uses, important physicochemical parameters (suspended, dissolved, and colloidal solids, pH, acidity and alkalinity, dissolved oxygen).

2) Drinking Water Treatment:

* Conventional Treatment: Intake, oxidation, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration (rapid, slow), disinfection (chlorine, ozone, UV light), activated carbon.

3) Urban Wastewater Treatment:

* Characterization, sampling, pretreatment, and primary treatment.

* Aerobic Biological Processes: Activated sludge, trickling filters, biodiscs, SAF-

* Anaerobic Biological Processes: Septic tank, Imhoff tank, anaerobic pond, anaerobic contact reactor, anaerobic filter, UASB reactor, EGSB, fluidized bed reactor, AnMBR.

* Tertiary Treatments for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal (Anaerobic and Anoxic Phases): Modified Ludzack-Ettinger, Wuhrman, Bardenpho, A/

* Excess Sludge Treatment: Thickening (thickener, DAF), stabilization (anaerobic, aerobic, chemical), dewatering (drying bed, filter press, belt press, centrifuge).

4) Industrial Wastewater Treatment:* Summary of the topics covered so far, plus: oxidation-reduction, precipitation, electrocoagulation, advanced oxidation processes (O3 + UV light; O3 + H2O2; H2O2 + UV light; O3 in alkaline medium, heterogeneous photocatalysis, Fenton).

The course is designed in an interconnected way, so it’s essential to follow the class sequence to ensure complete and proper understanding of all the topics, concepts, and processes involved throughout.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The contents outlined in the description.
  • The principles behind each technology.
  • The operational variables of the processes.
  • The best practices for implementing and optimizing each system

Syllabus

Course Content
Description of the content.
Problematic of Water, Important Physical-Chemical Parameters, Specific Contamin
Distribution of water on the planet and related issues.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores a wide range of water treatment technologies, from conventional methods to advanced oxidation processes, which is essential for environmental engineers
Covers drinking water, urban wastewater, and industrial wastewater treatment, providing a holistic view of water management applicable to various sectors
Details operational variables and best practices for implementing and optimizing water treatment systems, which is valuable for hands-on professionals
Requires learners to follow the class sequence, which may be a barrier for those seeking to learn about specific topics in isolation
Examines the Langelier Index, which is used to determine the saturation of calcium carbonate in water and is a key parameter in water treatment
Discusses outdated technologies like Imhoff tanks, which may not be relevant for modern wastewater treatment plant design and operation

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive water treatment fundamentals

According to learners, this course offers a highly comprehensive overview of potable, wastewater, and industrial water treatment processes. Many students found the instructor's explanations clear and easy to follow, appreciating the logical structure and practical relevance of the topics covered. While providing a solid foundation, some reviewers noted that certain areas might lack the depth required for advanced practice, suggesting it's best suited for beginners or those needing a broad understanding. Recent feedback indicates the instructor is actively updating the course.
May lack depth for advanced practitioners.
"While comprehensive, I felt some specific topics lacked the detailed depth needed for advanced application."
"It's a good overview, but if you need detailed engineering design specifics, you might need more."
"Great for learning the principles, but less so for optimization techniques."
"I needed to supplement with other resources for more in-depth understanding of certain processes."
Course is actively improved by instructor.
"It's great to see the instructor actively updating the course based on feedback."
"Recent additions to the material show dedication to improving the course."
"Appreciate the ongoing effort to keep the content relevant."
"Updates address some of the earlier suggestions from reviewers."
Material is well-organized and structured.
"The structure helped me connect different concepts."
"The course followed a logical sequence, making it easy to follow along."
"I liked how the topics built upon each other systematically."
"Well-organized modules that covered the material effectively."
Content is applicable to real-world work.
"The content feels directly applicable to my work in the water industry."
"I learned concepts and processes I can use professionally right away."
"Provides practical insights into how water treatment plants operate."
"Highly relevant for anyone working or studying in this field."
Excellent introduction to water treatment.
"This course provided me with a solid foundation in the principles of water treatment."
"Great for beginners looking to understand the basics."
"It lays out the fundamental concepts very well."
"I feel confident in the foundational knowledge I gained."
Instructor explains complex topics clearly.
"The instructor's explanations were very clear and easy to follow, even for complex concepts."
"I found the way the material was presented made it easy to understand."
"Clear and concise lectures that simplified the subjects."
"The teaching style helped me grasp difficult ideas quickly."
Provides a broad overview of water treatment.
"The course gives a really good overview of the entire water treatment field."
"I appreciate the breadth of topics covered, from potable to industrial."
"It touches on all the key areas of water treatment processes."
"Covers a wide range of technologies and principles."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Water Treatment Mastery: Potable, Wastewater & Industrial with these activities:
Review Key Physicochemical Parameters
Strengthen your understanding of fundamental water quality parameters. This will provide a solid foundation for understanding treatment processes.
Browse courses on pH
Show steps
  • Review definitions and units of measurement.
  • Practice calculating parameter values from given data.
  • Relate each parameter to its impact on water treatment.
Read 'Water Treatment: Principles and Design'
Gain a more in-depth understanding of water treatment principles. This book will supplement the course material and provide practical design insights.
Show steps
  • Read chapters relevant to the course syllabus.
  • Take notes on key concepts and design considerations.
  • Work through example problems to reinforce understanding.
Calculate Dosage for Disinfection
Improve your ability to calculate disinfectant dosages. This is a critical skill for ensuring effective water treatment and public health.
Show steps
  • Review the principles of disinfection and CT values.
  • Solve practice problems involving chlorine, ozone, and UV disinfection.
  • Vary the water quality parameters to observe the impact on dosage.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater'
Familiarize yourself with standard analytical methods. This will enhance your understanding of water quality monitoring and control.
View Algae on Amazon
Show steps
  • Browse the table of contents to understand the scope of the book.
  • Read the sections relevant to the parameters discussed in the course.
  • Understand the principles and procedures for each method.
Create a Presentation on a Treatment Technology
Deepen your understanding of a specific water treatment technology. This will help you consolidate your knowledge and improve your communication skills.
Show steps
  • Choose a treatment technology from the course syllabus.
  • Research the technology's principles, design, and operation.
  • Prepare a presentation summarizing your findings.
  • Present your findings to peers or colleagues.
Design a Wastewater Treatment Plant
Apply your knowledge to a real-world design scenario. This will test your understanding of the entire wastewater treatment process.
Show steps
  • Define the influent wastewater characteristics and effluent requirements.
  • Select appropriate treatment technologies for each stage.
  • Calculate the required size and capacity of each unit process.
  • Prepare a process flow diagram and a preliminary cost estimate.
Volunteer at a Local Water Treatment Plant
Gain hands-on experience in a real-world water treatment setting. This will provide valuable insights into the practical aspects of water treatment.
Show steps
  • Contact a local water treatment plant to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Assist plant operators with routine tasks and maintenance.
  • Observe the operation of various treatment processes.

Career center

Learners who complete Water Treatment Mastery: Potable, Wastewater & Industrial will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Water Treatment Plant Operator
A Water Treatment Plant Operator oversees the processes that purify water for safe consumption and manage wastewater treatment. This course helps build a foundation in understanding the physicochemical parameters of water, vital for effective treatment. The course's coverage of conventional drinking water treatment methods like coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and disinfection directly correlate with the operator's daily tasks. Furthermore, the course explores various urban wastewater treatment methods, including aerobic and anaerobic biological processes, which are crucial for operators to understand for regulatory compliance and environmental protection. Understanding sludge treatment is also useful.
Wastewater Technician
A Wastewater Technician is responsible for the operation and maintenance of equipment in wastewater treatment facilities. This course provides essential knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including characterization, sampling, and various treatment stages. The detailed exploration of aerobic and anaerobic biological processes in the course directly applies to a wastewater technician’s understanding of biological reactors and microorganism activity. The section on tertiary treatments for nitrogen and phosphorus removal is particularly relevant, as is the excess sludge treatment section. This course is valuable for technicians aiming to optimize wastewater treatment operations.
Environmental Engineer
An Environmental Engineer designs and implements solutions to environmental problems, including water and wastewater treatment. This course equips the engineer with a comprehensive understanding of water quality parameters and treatment technologies. The exploration of both drinking water and urban wastewater treatment provides a broad base of knowledge useful in designing effective systems. The course also details industrial wastewater treatment, covering oxidation-reduction, precipitation, and advanced oxidation processes, all of which are relevant to an environmental engineer designing industrial treatment plants. A strong base in water treatment is essential for any environmental engineer.
Water Quality Specialist
A Water Quality Specialist monitors and assesses water quality to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. A specialist uses knowledge of physicochemical parameters discussed in this course, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and contaminants, to evaluate water samples. The course’s coverage of specific contaminants like metals, pesticides, and PCBs helps the specialist identify pollution sources and recommend remediation strategies. This course gives a strong knowledge of drinking water and wastewater contaminants.
Process Engineer
A Process Engineer designs, implements, and optimizes industrial processes. This course is useful to understanding the principles of water and wastewater treatment processes, which are integral to many industrial operations. The course’s detailed coverage of industrial wastewater treatment, including oxidation-reduction and advanced oxidation processes, directly relates to the process engineer's role in optimizing industrial water usage and discharge. Furthermore, understanding process variables and best practices, as discussed in the course, are essential for efficient process design and operation. This is particularly helpful when designing processes to remove contaminants.
Environmental Engineering Technician
An Environmental Engineering Technician assists environmental engineers in designing and implementing environmental projects. This course helps to have a foundation in understanding water and wastewater treatment processes. The course covers a range of topics, including water quality parameters and various treatment technologies, which directly support the technician’s role in data collection and analysis. The technician may refer to the information contained in this course on a daily basis.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
A Regulatory Affairs Specialist ensures that a company complies with relevant environmental regulations through knowledge of water and wastewater treatment processes. The knowledge of drinking water and wastewater treatment processes is invaluable for navigating regulatory requirements. The specialist uses information in the course, such as the removal of specific contaminants and sludge treatment, in compiling regulatory submissions and ensuring compliance. They may also use this knowledge to determine best practices in this field.
Environmental Compliance Manager
An Environmental Compliance Manager ensures that an organization adheres to environmental regulations and standards. This course provides a foundational understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, essential for compliance with water quality regulations. The manager uses knowledge of topics discussed in the course, such as the characterization of wastewater and the removal of specific contaminants, to develop and implement compliance strategies. Discussions of removing nitrogen and phosphorus may be helpful. This course helps in learning the fundamentals of compliance regulations.
Research Scientist
A Research Scientist conducts research to advance scientific knowledge, potentially focusing on water treatment technologies. This course helps build a foundation in understanding the principles behind various water treatment technologies, which is essential for conducting research. The course’s coverage of advanced oxidation processes and membrane technologies may be helpful for scientists exploring innovative treatment methods. Furthermore, understanding the operational variables of different processes helps facilitate experimentation and data analysis. An advanced degree, such as a PhD, is typically required.
Laboratory Technician
A Laboratory Technician performs tests and experiments in a laboratory setting, often related to water quality analysis. This course may be useful in giving a general foundation in understanding the physicochemical parameters of water and wastewater. The course’s coverage of specific contaminants and their detection methods is particularly relevant to the technician’s role in analyzing water samples. This is a field in high demand.
Environmental Consultant
An Environmental Consultant advises organizations on environmental issues, including water and wastewater management. This course may be useful for establishing a foundation in understanding water treatment technologies and regulations. The course’s content on industrial wastewater treatment is valuable for consultants advising industrial clients on compliance and treatment optimization. A consultant may use their knowledge in understanding the principles of various technologies.
Sustainability Manager
A Sustainability Manager develops and implements sustainability initiatives for organizations. Understanding water treatment and conservation is crucial for promoting environmental sustainability. This course’s coverage of urban wastewater treatment, including processes for nitrogen and phosphorus removal, may be useful for managers seeking to minimize environmental impact. Understanding the physical and chemical properties of water is also useful for developing sustainable water management strategies. This may be useful for developing sustainability initiatives.
Public Health Officer
A Public Health Officer focuses on improving community health through various initiatives, including ensuring access to safe drinking water. This course may be useful in grasping the fundamentals of drinking water treatment processes, such as disinfection and filtration, which are critical for preventing waterborne diseases. The knowledge of water quality parameters, as presented in the course, enables public health officers to assess potential health risks associated with water contamination. This is valuable for a public health officer.
Civil Engineer
A Civil Engineer designs, constructs, and maintains infrastructure projects, including water and wastewater treatment plants. This course may be useful for establishing a foundation in understanding the various components and processes involved in water treatment. The knowledge of flow rates, treatment train design, and sludge management informs the civil engineer’s decisions in plant construction and maintenance. This allows the engineer to build better and more efficient water plants.
Chemical Engineer
A Chemical Engineer applies principles of chemistry to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals. This course may be useful in understanding the chemical processes involved in water and wastewater treatment. The course’s focus on oxidation-reduction, precipitation, and advanced oxidation processes directly relates to chemical engineering principles. Furthermore, the knowledge of specific contaminants and their removal methods is valuable for chemical engineers working in water treatment industries. A chemical engineer may use this knowledge to design chemical plants.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Water Treatment Mastery: Potable, Wastewater & Industrial.
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Is the definitive guide to water and wastewater analysis. It provides detailed procedures for measuring various water quality parameters. It is an essential reference for anyone working in the water treatment field. This book is commonly used by industry professionals and regulatory agencies.
Provides a comprehensive overview of water treatment processes, covering both potable and wastewater treatment. It delves into the principles behind each treatment technology, offering a deeper understanding of the concepts discussed in the course. It valuable reference for understanding the design and operation of water treatment plants. This book is commonly used as a textbook in environmental engineering programs.

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