WET 112 - Wastewater Treatment Technology

Credits: 3

Provides an introduction to the causes of water pollution, the reasons for treating polluted waters and the fundamentals of wastewater treatment. Studies the basic principles of treatment plant operation and the processes commonly used in pollution control facilities. Investigates terms, mathematics and problem solving techniques commonly used by wastewater treatment personnel. Credit may be earned in WWT 112 or WET 112, but not in both.

Prerequisite(s): READING LEVEL 2 and WRITING LEVEL 2 and MATH LEVEL 2
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 45 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

Understand terms commonly used in wastewater technology.
1. Define common “wastewater” terms.
2. Explain terms and phrases commonly used by wastewater treatment professionals and be able to appropriately use those terms and phrases in verbal and written communication.
State the major causes of water pollution and the importance (reasons for) of identifying, reducing and eliminating sources of water pollution.
1. Distinguish between “point” versus “no-point” source pollution discharges.
2. Explain the importance of and differences between “municipal” and “industrial” wastewater discharges.
3. Identify, define and explain the pollutant character, effects and impacts of oxygen demanding substances, solid materials, nutrients, organic and inorganic substances, temperature, p.H., disease causing organisms and toxic materials.
4. Discuss the water-cycle and its importance.
Discuss wastewater operations techniques, concerns, requirements and operator traits, skills, qualifications and opportunities.
1. Describe the basic monitoring and reporting functions of a “wastewater operator”.
2. Discuss typical versus non-typical wastewater treatment plant operating conditions and common response actions to problems that operators have at their disposal.
3. Safety and Health issues relative to wastewater collection and treatment will be investigated.
4. Identify the desirable traits, skills and qualifications of a wastewater treatment plant operator.
5. Explore opportunities for employment and continuing education.
Define, differentiate and discuss various wastewater treatment process options and alternatives.
1. List and describe the most common wastewater treatment plant types: attached growth, activated sludge and physical/chemical.
2. List and describe the stages of wastewater treatment.
Evaluate treatment plant operations by application of a logical problem-solving process.
1. Identify a problem, determine alternatives to solving the problem and provide a solution to the problem.
2. Manipulate waste water mathematical formulas in order to evaluate treatment pant performance.
3. Complete a sample “monthly operations report”; of form and content typically required for submittal to a regulatory agency.