Urban Sewage Treatment from edX

This course will focus on basic technologies for the treatment of urban sewage. Unit processes involved in the treatment chain will be described as well as the physical, chemical and biological processes involved. There will be an emphasis on water quality and the functionality of each unit process within the treatment chain. After the course one should be able to recognise the process units, describe their function and make simple design calculations on urban sewage treatment plants.

The course consists of 6 modules:

Sewage treatment plant overview. In this module you will learn what major pollutants are present in the sewage and why we need to treat sewage prior to discharge to surface waters. The functional units will be briefly discussed.
Primary treatment. In this module you learn how coarse material, sand & grit are removed from the sewage and how to design primary clarification tanks.
Biological treatment. In this module you learn the basics of the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous cycle and how biological processes are used to treat the main pollutants of concern.
Activated sludge process. In this module you learn the design principles of conventional activated sludge processes including the secondary clarifiers and aeration demand of aeration tanks.
Nitrogen and phosphorus removal. In this module you learn the principles of biological nitrogen removal as well as phosphorus removal by biological and/or chemical means.
Sludge treatment. In this module you will the design principles of sludge thickeners, digesters and dewatering facilities for the concentration and stabilisation of excess sewage sludge. Potentials for energy recovery via the produced biogas will be discussed as well as the direct anaerobic treatment of urban sewage in UASB reactors when climate conditions allow.

This course in combination with the courses "Introduction to Water and Climate" and "Introduction to Drinking Water Treatment" forms the Water XSeries, by DelftX.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Recognize the process units in urban wastewater treatment technologies
Describe the function of these process units

Describe the physical, chemical and biological processes involved
Make simple design calculations on wastewater treatment plants

Recognize the process units in urban wastewater treatment technologies
Describe the function of these process units
Describe the physical, chemical and biological processes involved
Make simple design calculations on wastewater treatment plants

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Enhances knowledge on the principles and processes involved in biological wastewater treatment commonly used in industry

Delves into conventional activated sludge processes and advanced treatment techniques like nitrogen and phosphorus removal

Builds a solid foundation for understanding the role of physical, chemical, and biological processes in wastewater treatment

Offers practical design calculations for wastewater treatment plants, making it relevant for industry professionals

Provides insights into sludge treatment methods, including anaerobic digestion and energy recovery

Reviews summary

Course on sewage treatment

According to students, enthusiastic instructors lead an engaging and informative course on urban sewage treatment. The course is well-received, and students recommend it to future students.

Students recommend this course.

"enthusiastic instructors lead an engaging and informative course"

"Hope,and I would like to share comments,to the interested persons those who might be explore their researches and do their p.hd that learning experience will keep long as much as investigation,results enthusiastic performance and better shining .thanks."

The course is informative and engaging.

"enthusiastic instructors lead an engaging and informative course"

The instructor is enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

"enthusiastic instructors lead an engaging and informative course"

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 Urban Sewage Treatment with these activities:

Review wastewater treatment technologies

Show steps

Review and brush up on fundamental wastewater treatment techniques and principles to refresh your memory and prepare for the course materials.

Show steps

Revisit basic concepts of sewage composition and pollutants
Review primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment processes
Recall the principles of activated sludge and anaerobic digestion

Explore DelftX Water Resources video lectures

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of the course topics by following online video tutorials from DelftX, providing insights and supplementary materials to complement the course content.

Browse courses on Water Resources

Show steps

Search for DelftX Water Resources video lectures
Watch videos on principles of urban sewage treatment
Take notes and summarize key concepts

Participate in a peer review session on wastewater treatment designs

Show steps

Collaborate with peers, exchange ideas, and receive constructive feedback on your wastewater treatment designs, enhancing your understanding and improving the quality of your work.

Show steps

Find a peer review session or organize one with classmates
Prepare your wastewater treatment design for presentation
Present your design to the group and receive feedback
Provide feedback to other participants and engage in discussions

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Create a concept map of urban sewage treatment processes

Show steps

Develop a visual representation of the interconnections between urban sewage treatment processes, solidifying your comprehension of the entire treatment chain.

Show steps

Gather information on the different processes involved in urban sewage treatment
Identify the relationships and connections between these processes
Use a visual tool to create a concept map that represents these relationships

Design a small-scale wastewater treatment plant

Show steps

Apply your understanding of wastewater treatment principles to a hands-on project, simulating the design process and gaining insights into the practical considerations.

Show steps

Determine the design criteria and parameters for the treatment plant
Select and configure the appropriate treatment processes
Design the layout and infrastructure of the plant
Estimate the costs and energy requirements of the plant

Contribute to open source projects in urban sewage treatment

Show steps

Engage in real-world applications by contributing to open source projects, gaining practical experience and advancing your understanding of sewage treatment technologies.

Show steps

Identify open source projects related to urban sewage treatment
Review the documentation and codebase of the project
Identify areas where you can contribute your skills
Make code contributions, fix bugs, or improve documentation

Career center

Learners who complete Urban Sewage Treatment will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design, plan, and oversee construction of projects that improve air and water quality, and protect natural resources. This course will equip you with knowledge in urban sewage treatment, its processes, and pollutants. By understanding the principles of biological treatment, activated sludge process, and nitrogen and phosphorus removal, you can help design and maintain wastewater treatment plants that protect the environment and public health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants provide expertise on environmental issues to businesses and government agencies. They may work on projects such as environmental impact assessments, pollution prevention, and water quality management. This course will provide you with the foundation in urban sewage treatment and its processes, which is essential for understanding the environmental impacts of wastewater and developing effective solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Water Treatment Plant Operators oversee the operation of water treatment plants, ensuring that clean, safe water is distributed to the public. This course will give you the knowledge to understand the processes and technologies involved in urban sewage treatment, which is essential for the effective operation of water treatment plants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Treatment Plant Operator

Process Engineer

Process Engineers design, optimize, and troubleshoot industrial processes to improve efficiency and productivity. This course covers the principles of urban sewage treatment processes, including physical, chemical, and biological processes. This knowledge can be applied to the design and optimization of wastewater treatment plants and other industrial processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Process Engineer

Sanitary Engineer

Sanitary Engineers design, construct, and maintain systems for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater and solid waste. This course will help you understand the principles of urban sewage treatment, including the design of primary and secondary treatment processes, as well as sludge treatment and disposal methods.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sanitary Engineer

Water Resources Engineer

Water Resources Engineers manage and protect water resources, including surface water, groundwater, and watersheds. This course will give you the foundation in urban sewage treatment, including the principles of water quality management and the design of wastewater treatment plants. This knowledge is essential for the effective management of water resources.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Engineer

Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design, construct, and operate chemical plants and other industrial facilities. This course will help you understand the principles of chemical and biological processes involved in urban sewage treatment. This knowledge can be applied to the design and operation of wastewater treatment plants and other chemical processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design, construct, and maintain infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and water treatment plants. This course will help you understand the principles of urban sewage treatment and the design of wastewater treatment plants. This knowledge is essential for the effective design and construction of civil infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Hazardous Waste Manager

Hazardous Waste Managers oversee the collection, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste. This course will give you the knowledge to understand the principles of urban sewage treatment and the disposal of hazardous waste. This knowledge is essential for the effective management of hazardous waste.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hazardous Waste Manager

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its interactions with human activities. This course will help you understand the principles of urban sewage treatment and the environmental impacts of wastewater. This knowledge is essential for the effective management of environmental resources.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Biotechnologist

Biotechnologists apply biological principles to develop new products and processes. This course will help you understand the principles of biological processes involved in urban sewage treatment. This knowledge can be applied to the development of new and innovative wastewater treatment technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biotechnologist

Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This course will give you the knowledge to understand the principles of biological processes involved in urban sewage treatment. This knowledge is essential for the development of new and innovative wastewater treatment technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiologist

Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technicians conduct experiments and analyze data to support scientific research and development. This course will give you the knowledge to understand the principles of urban sewage treatment and the analysis of wastewater samples. This knowledge is essential for the effective operation of wastewater treatment plants and other environmental laboratories.

See salaries and explore the career path for Laboratory Technician

Quality Control Inspector

Quality Control Inspectors ensure that products and services meet quality standards. This course will give you the knowledge to understand the principles of water quality management and the analysis of wastewater samples. This knowledge is essential for the effective implementation of quality control measures in water treatment plants and other environmental settings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Inspector

Water Resource Specialist

Water Resource Specialists manage water resources, including surface water, groundwater, and watersheds. This course will give you the knowledge to understand the principles of urban sewage treatment and the management of water resources. This knowledge is essential for the effective management of water resources in urban areas.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resource Specialist