Topics in a WT Training Manual

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Topics in a WT Training Manual

I am currently in the process of putting together a training manual for Water treatment entry-level professionals.

Existing manuals cover a lot of information that can be overwhelming and may not pertain to specific plant layout, or are too technical that can be frustrating and confusing for entry-level professionals.

My focus is to cover the basics of plant treatment operation, in a user-friendly way. This manual can also be used as a guide for studying for a certification exam or as a reference material.

I would like to know from you all which topics I should be addressing in this manual.

Some of the topics I want to cover are:

It has been about a year since I started this project and have expanded outline more in detail including some of the topics listed above.

Please see the attached file for the expanded outline.

If there is anything missing, questionable, or unclear, please let me know and I will explain the item in detail or add to my manual.

Your feedback will help me to create a training manual for Water treatment entry-level professionals.

 

Thanks for your input!

Peter

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12 Answers

  3. This is a good manual Peter

    However I am missing  a topic on Monitoring of Water quality (main sampling points, frequency of sampling , important parameters , analysis etc)

    1 Comment

    1. As I continue to put the manual together, I will cover the monitoring topic. What I am currently doing is taking each process and putting everything that pertains to that process such as the equipment, instrumentations, chemicals, regulations, its workings, and etc. together rather than into separate topics like most books. Thanks again. Feel free to come back later.

  4. One thing that is often missed is what to do with things do not work. An example I see all the time is the instructions for a pH meter. The instructions are clear if the meter is working. The instructions are silent when the procedures do not work.

    1 Comment

  5. Hi Peter,  good on you doing this - it looks like a good coverage.  I may suggest two other topics that should be covered:-  dealing with algae (and hence the option of dissolved air flotation as a clarification process) - this avoids the release of algal toxins through pre-oxidation to kill the algae so they will settle.  The second topic is water stabilisation (actually quite a big topic).  Maybe I missed it in your outline though.

  6. One thought that may help to make it more engaging for the trainees would be to use other media rather than text alone. Using video would work for a lot of procedures such as jar testing which would also help with the chemistry of coagulation and flocculation. Also sampling and analysis could benefit from this approach. 

    I would also have a bit on what is normal and what is an exception. Eg a video of a normal filter wash compared with one that is going wrong. 

    I haven't checked myself but YouTube may have some of this and also manufacturers sites, eg for analytical equipment. 

    I don't know the technical level of the operation you are going for but if you have one you will need to cover interrogating the SCADA / distributed control system and answering alarms etc. 

    Also how about modelling your works in simulation software? This can also have benefits of prompting process improvements that may not have been thought of or were too nervous to try for real.

     

    1 Comment

  7. I was also looking for your section on new technologies.  Chlorine was never supposed to be used in any water treatment system sin the 1920 system installed in NYC. Almost 100 years and the deadly mistake has yet to be corrected. Microbial bioremediation technologies have eliminated the need for chemicals. acceptable levels of ??? manuals no longer required. Pathogens = ZERO. Toxic metals = ZERO. Byproduct is potable drinking water and elemental nutrients. I believe the gentleman from Brazil is on the right track. 

    1 Comment

    1. Question:  For the microbial bioremediation technologies, what percentage effectiveness can be expected?  Isn't chlorine used in small amounts only, so as to compensate for what's not reduced through bioremediation?

      1 Comment reply

      1. Sorry for delay Anthony. If it does not pop up I never see it.   Excellent question. The effective rate is always 100%. 40 years of monthly state health department lab tests are a very good track record.  Second part of your question is where we separate the boys from the men. Those who have a background in microbiology understand there are 2 types of life forms. DNA like you, me, bacteria, fungi etc.  The other is RNA the first life anywhere in the universe. Their singular function is to reduce compounds into their elemental form. When in elemental form they are now a nutrient or new building block of life.  Sadly Bacteria and fungi do not have this genetic code function.  Currently there are many trying to create bioremediation formulas and techniques. But at the end of the day they still have to dig it up, get a license, permit for a place to dump it, and pay the fee for this. Using RNA all is done insitu, no pathogens, no toxins. soil or water has increased oxygen content.  I am sure you can see the value of this. No more water shortages, no more diseased crops, no more landfills, No more waste treatment facilities required and the list goes on.  If you wish to discuss more my skype is guy_mcgowen  

  8. What seems like a simple task will (and perhaps already) explode into a gargantuan undertaking.  I would (and have in other instances of training) start with a simple look at water chemistry, then a look at parameters important to industrial water treatment, and finally all the processes likely to be encountered.  Good luck with this project!

  9. Peter,

    Good look with your book. Here at TAM Ceramics we’re readying production and distribution of water filter media of granulated ceramics, as treated with a small amount of silver.  This will drastically reduce pathogens in contaminated water.

    We’ve been at this for five months, and will soon be ready. Unlike approaches to treatment that use chemicals and electricity, this will require gravity only, bacteria moving through a filter bed, bouncing from one silver contact to the next; rendered harmless in the process.

    https://rharvey211.wixsite.com/tamceramics

    Reid Harvey

    TAM Ceramics

  10. Congratulations Peter. It seems a very interesting WT Training Material and it covers almost everything. I did not see anything about new technologies which could be interesting to add to your project even in a preliminary way. Good luck in your project.

  11. Good morning Peter,

     Take a look at the following published by the WSBC Civil Engineers, INC

    Operator's Pocket Guide To Activated Sludge

    Part One- The Basics

    Part Two- Process Control & Trouble Shooting

  12. Have you checked Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations by Spellmann and Water and wastewater treatment, a guide for the non engineering professional by Drinan?