WET 215 - Water Quality Analysis And Wet Instrumentation

Credits: 3
Instructional Contact Hours: 4

Investigates conventional water and wastewater laboratory test procedures, with particular emphasis on those analytical techniques that require an understanding and practical use of laboratory instrumentation. Water Quality Lab tests include BOD, TSS, temperature, DO, pH, conductivity, TDS, total and volatile solids, alkalinity, TRC, and others common to the daily operation of both drinking water and wastewater plants; includes discussions of basic stream ecology and applied environmental science principles. Instrumentation Lab includes the use of pH, millivolt and specific ion meters and probes and an introduction to Spectrophotometry, atomic absorption (AA), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Includes field tours of municipal water and wastewater treatment facility labs and related field study discussions.

Prerequisite(s): WET 110 and WET 112 AND either CHM 101W or CHM 111
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 30 Lab Hours: 30
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

Demonstrate a working knowledge of bacteriological water testing.
1. Conduct BOD, TSS, pH, TRC, DO, TDS, alkalinity and other test procedures.
2. Identify the equipment and apparatus used in the procedures studied.
3. Discuss the health implications of coliform exposure.
4. Explain the issues related to common pollutants discharged to surface waters and effect on potable water.
5. Discuss health and safety concerns commonly found in water and wastewater labs.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of analytical procedures for water.
1. Explain the purpose and function of phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon, chlorine and other tests.
2. Describe best practices for analytical test procedures,.
Demonstrate practical proficiency with the basic analytical instruments.
1. Explain the principles of spectrophotometry.
2. Identify the working parts of a typical spectrophotometer.
3. Prepare and arrange the instruments prior to conducting a test.
4. Prepare calibration standards and establish a standard curve.
5. Calibrate a pH meter using three buffered dilutions.
6. Use and calibrate pH or millivolt meter and specific ion probe.
7. Conduct a dissolved oxygen analysis on either an incubated or grab water sample.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of basic water - laboratory equipment.
1. Describe the process and set up requirements for a BOD incubator.
2. Describe the purpose and set up requirements for a drying oven and muffle furnace.
3. Describe the purpose and set up requirements for dessicator equipment.
4. Demonstrate a working understanding of an Atomic Absorption (AA) unit.
5. Demonstrate a working knowledge of Gas Chrome/Mass Spec (GC/MS) unit.
6. Properly set up and use typical manual and automatic titration equipment.
7. Describe the importance of quality “lab water” and the equipment used to produce it.
Prepare a written report that relates the significance of various findings from typical water and wastewater laboratories.
1. Make verbal and/or written report to interested stakeholders (City Council).
2. Evaluate the treatment process, draw conclusions and make valid recommendations based on the knowledge of water/wastewater treatment and the analytical findings.