Basic General Wastewater Study Guide

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wastewater Operator Certification

Basic General Wastewater Study Guide

August 2015 Edition (Revised June 2016)

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Operator Certification Program

PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, audio tape. etc.) upon request. Please call (608) 266-0531 for more information.

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Basic General Wastewater Study Guide - August 2015 Edition (Revised June 2016)

Preface

The General Wastewater Study Guide is an important resource for preparing for the certification exam and is arranged by chapters and sections. Each section consists of key knowledges of important informational concepts you need to know for the certification exam. This study guide also serves as a wastewater treatment plant operations primer that can be used as a reference on the subject.

In preparing for the exams: 1. Study the material! Read every key knowledge until the concept is fully understood and committed to memory.

2. Learn with others! Take classes in this type of wastewater operations to improve your understanding and knowledge of the subject.

3. Learn even more! For an even greater understanding and knowledge of the subjects, read and review the references listed at the end of the study guide.

Knowledge of the study guide material will be tested using a multiple choice format. Every test question and answer comes directly from one of the key knowledges.

Choosing a test date: Before choosing a test date, consider the time you have to thoroughly study the guides and the training opportunities available. A listing of wastewater training opportunities and exam dates is available at by searching for the keywords "Operator Certification".

Acknowledgements

The General Wastewater Study Guide was the result of a collaborative effort of yearlong monthly meetings of wastewater operators, trainers, consultants, the Wisconsin Wastewater Operator Association (WWOA) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). This study guide was developed as the result of the knowledge and collective work of following workgroup members:

Kurt Birkett, Fort Atkinson WWTP, Fort Atkinson, WI Gary Hanson, AECom, Sheboygan, WI Greg Paul, QLF Specialty Products, Dodgeville, WI Dan Tomaro, Wastewater Training Solutions, Oregon, WI Mark Corbett, Department of Natural Resources, Oshkosh, WI Amy Garbe, Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI Danielle Luke, Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI Jack Saltes, Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI

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Basic General Wastewater Study Guide - August 2015 Edition (Revised June 2016)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Terminology Section 1.1 - Flows and Pollutants Section 1.2 - Sewer Systems Section 1.3 - Wastewater Processes Section 1.4 - Safety and Regulations

Chapter 2 - Influent Wastewater Section 2.1 - Sources Section 2.2 - Conveyance Section 2.3 - Wastewater Characterisitics Section 2.4 - Flow Monitoring Section 2.5 - Sampling

Chapter 3 - Wastewater Treatment Section 3.1 - Preliminary Treatment Section 3.2 - Primary Treatment Section 3.3 - Secondary (Biological) Treatment Section 3.4 - Final Clarification Section 3.5 - Tertiary Treatment Section 3.6 - Disinfection Section 3.7 - Ponds and Lagoons Section 3.8 - Equipment Section 3.9 - Treatment Plant and Equipment Maintenance

Chapter 4 - Biosolids/Sludge - Processing, Handling, and Land Application Section 4.1 - Thickening Section 4.2 - Treatment Section 4.3 - Dewatering Section 4.4 - Land Application Section 4.5 - Sampling and Reporting

Chapter 5 - Effluent Discharge Section 5.1 - Flow Monitoring Section 5.2 - Sampling Section 5.3 - Permitting and Reporting

Chapter 6 - Safety and Regulations Section 6.1 - Personal Safety Section 6.2 - Chemical Safety Section 6.3 - Management of Wastewater Treatment Plants

pg. 1 pg. 2 pg. 3 pg. 5

pg. 6 pg. 8 pg. 10 pg. 13 pg. 15

pg. 17 pg. 21 pg. 24 pg. 30 pg. 32 pg. 33 pg. 35 pg. 37 pg. 50

pg. 54 pg. 56 pg. 58 pg. 61 pg. 62

pg. 63 pg. 64 pg. 66

pg. 69 pg. 70 pg. 70

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Basic General Wastewater Study Guide - August 2015 Edition (Revised June 2016)

Table of Contents

Chapter 7 - Calculations Section 7.1 - Sampling Section 7.2 - Flow Conversions and Flow Rate Section 7.3 - Tank Areas and Volumes Section 7.4 - Pounds Formula Section 7.5 - Pump Rate Section 7.6 - Detention Time Section 7.7 - Percent Removal

pg. 70 pg. 71 pg. 72 pg. 73 pg. 74 pg. 76 pg. 77

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Basic General Wastewater Study Guide - August 2015 Edition (Revised June 2016)

Chapter 1 - Terminology Section 1.1 - Flows and Pollutants

1.1.1

Define biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).

BOD, expressed in mg/L, is a measurement of the organic strength of a sample by measuring the amount of oxygen consumed over a given period of time.

1.1.2

Define composite sample.

A composite sample is a sample prepared by combining a number of grab samples, typically over a 24-hour period.

1.1.3

Define dissolved oxygen (DO). DO is the measure of the amount of oxygen dissolved in water and is expressed in mg/L.

1.1.4

Define effluent. Effluent is the treated wastewater discharged from a treatment plant to the environment.

1.1.5

Define eutrophication.

Eutrophication is the excessive growth of plant and algae in receiving waters due to dissolved nutrients and their decomposition.

1.1.6

Define flume. A flume is a restriction in an open channel used to measure flow.

1.1.7

Define food to microorganism ratio (F:M or F/M).

F/M is the amount of food (BOD) provided to the microorganisms [mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) or mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS)].

1.1.8

Define gallons per day (gpd).

The term gpd is a common wastewater flow measurement expressed as the number of gallons flowing each day.

1.1.9

Define gallons per hour (gph).

The term gph is a common wastewater flow measurement expressed as the number of gallons flowing each hour.

1.1.10

Define gallons per minute (gpm).

The term gpm is a common wastewater flow measurement expressed as the number of gallons flowing each minute.

1.1.11

Define grab sample.

A grab sample is a single sample taken at a particular time and place that is representative of the current conditions.

1.1.12 Define hydraulic retention time (HRT).

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