Wastewater Microbiology

REGISTER

12.5 Contact Hours (water or wastewater)

August 10-11, 2010 in Marion, Ohio

Cost: $349

What Every Operator Needs to Know
This two-day workshop will present valuable microbiology information that wastewater operators can use to evaluate plant performance. Richard Weigand of the West Virginia Environmental Training Center and Steve Leach of Novozymes Biologicals will conduct this workshop. Class size is limited, so register in advance.

Who Should Attend
This course is appropriate for laboratory supervisors, mangers, analysts, and operators who deal with issues pertaining to wastewater microbiology. Those who perform process-control tests like microscopic examinations of sludge and wastewater will also benefit from this workshop.

Course Description
Wastewater Microbiology is a comprehensive, two-day workshop that will help participants evaluate wastewater and sludge samples, interpret data, and apply findings to the day-to-day operations of a treatment plant. Through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and a field trip to a nearby treatment plant this course will cover several relevant topics under the heading of wastewater microbiology. The course will stress the importance of microbiology in process control and shed light on the biological processes at work in a treatment plant. Participants will receive hands-on experience with microscopes, with an emphasis on identifying the parts of the instrument, working with different models, and using the microscope correctly. Students are encouraged to bring actual samples to evaluate using different microscopic techniques, including brightfield and darkfield microscopy, and phase contrast. Common microbes and filaments will be discussed so participants can identify them in their treatment plants. Finally, participants will learn strategies for controlling foam and filament and dealing with bulking and foaming.

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Explain the biological processes at work in a wastewater treatment plant
• Identify the parts of a microscope
• Prepare samples for microscopic analysis and use different microscopic techniques (including bright field, dark field, and phase contrast) to examine samples
• Evaluate the data obtained from the microbiological analyses
• Differentiate between types of microbes: protozoa, metazoa, worms, algae, and inorganic particles
• Identify common filaments
• Use different control strategies for bulking, foaming or other treatment plant problems
• Effectively use microbiological analyses to assess the day-to-day operations of a waste water treatment plant

Course Agenda

DAY 1
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (includes 30-minute lunch)

• Microbiology – One tool in the process-control tool box
• Understanding biological treatment processes
• Treatment plant visit
• Sampling – Techniques and Locations
• Microscope Basics – Seeing the Light
• Parts of the microscope
• Brightfield, darkfield and phase contrast
• Do’s and Don’ts – Getting the most from your instrument
• Suggested models, pricing, and vendors
• Practice using microscopes and wet mounts
• The Microbes (NOT BUGS!)
• Floc evaluation: size, structure, bulk liquid
• Sample evaluation
• Protozoa: Amoebas, ciliates, free swimmers, crawlers
• Metazoa: Rotifers, water bears
• Worms
• Others
• Algae
• Inorganic Particles
• Sample Evaluation

DAY 2
8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. (includes 30-minute lunch)

• Those Darn Filaments!
• Identification of the most common filaments
• Location
• Staining Basics
• Sample evaluation
• Bulking and foaming problems
• Foam and filament control strategies
• Putting It All Together – sample evaluation and troubleshooting
• Wrap-Up – Where do you go from here?

Food is included in the registration fee. In addition, participants will receive a complimentary copy of “Wastewater Microbiology, A Handbook for Operators” by Toni Glymph – a $90 value! Participants are encouraged to bring 25 mL samples of mixed liquid and foam (if applicable) in a 200-500 mL container. Participants can also bring their own microscope. The instructors will inspect, clean and adjust the microscope free of charge.

Your Partner in Success
Alloway is a full-service commercial environmental testing laboratory located in Lima, Marion, and Mansfield, Ohio. Alloway provides analytical and field services to municipalities, industries, consultants, and other commercial laboratories. In addition, Alloway offers software, seminars, laboratory development, and training. With more than 25 years of experience, Alloway is a total laboratory solution and your resource for defensible data.