Print this page Primer for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems
Mark P. Rossow, PhD, PE Retired
Course Outline
This two-hour online course discusses the need for wastewater treatment, the effects of wastewater on water quality, various types of pollutants, primary and secondary treatment, advanced methods of treatment, and the use or disposal of wastewater residuals and biosolids.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Clean Water Act requirements for wastewater treatment;
- Need for wastewater treatment;
- Centralized collection;
- Types of pollutants;
- Primary and secondary treatment; advanced methods;
- Disinfection through the use of chlorine, ozone, and ultraviolet radiation;
- Pretreatment;
- Use or disposal of wastewater residuals and biosolids; and
- Management of onsite/decentralized wastewater systems.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for civil, electrical, mechanical, and construction engineers who need a basic overview of municipal wastewater treatment systems.
Benefit to Attendees
A person completing this course will be sufficiently familiar with municipal wastewater treatment systems issues to be able to converse knowledgeably with specialists in the field.
Course Introduction
Wastewater treatment is needed so that we can use our rivers and streams for fishing, swimming, and drinking water. For the first half of the 20th century, pollution in the nation’s urban waterways resulted in frequent occurrences of lost dissolved oxygen, fish kills, algal blooms and bacterial contamination.
Course Content
This course is based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency document EPA 832-R-04-001, “Primer for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems,” September, 2004.
Primer for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems
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Course Summary
Characteristics of pollutants and municipal wastewater treatment facilities are discussed. Primary, secondary, and advanced methods of treatment are presented. Disposal of residuals and biosolids is outlined.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:
http://water.epa.gov/drink/index.cfmQuiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
