MCCCD Program Description

Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants

Course: WRT121

First Term: 2020 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Safe and effective operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants. Overview of treatment processes and laboratory testing used in wastewater treatment plants. Principles and processes involved in waste treatment ponds, disinfection and chlorination process.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Explain the type of work done by wastewater treatment plant operators. (I) 2. Identify various types of waste discharges. (I) 3. Describe the different types of solids in wastewater. (I) 4. Describe wastewater collection systems. (I) 5. List the major wastewater treatment processes. (II) 6. Identify various methods of effluent and solids disposal. (II) 7. Explain how waste treatment ponds work and what factors influence and control pond treatment processes. (III) 8. Explain procedures for startup, operation, maintenance, and shutdown of a waste treatment pond. (III) 9. Explain procedures for collecting samples, interpreting lab results, and making appropriate adjustments in pond operations. (III) 10. Explain factors that indicate a pond is not functioning properly, identify the source of the problem, and take corrective action. (III) 11. Develop a pond operating strategy. (III) 12. Determine pond loading. (III) 13. Identify different types of ponds. (III) 14. Explain the principles of wastewater disinfection with chlorine. (IV) 15. Explain procedures for controlling the chlorination process to obtain the desired effluent disinfection. (IV) 16. Explain procedures for startup, operation, maintenance, and shutdown of a chlorination process. (IV) 17. Explain procedures for collecting samples, interpreting lab results, and making appropriate adjustments in chlorination process. (IV) 18. Explain factors that indicate a chlorination process is not functioning properly, identify the source of the problem, and take corrective action. (IV) 19. Explain applications and limitations of uses of chlorine other than for disinfection. (IV)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Wastewater treatment facilities A. Terms B. Operators duties C. Prevention of pollution D. Types of waste discharges E. Solids in wastewater 1. Total solids 2. Dissolved solids 3. Suspended solids 4. Organic and inorganic solids 5. Floatable solids F. Natural cycles G. Permits H. Collection systems 1. Sanitary 2. Storm 3. Combined sewers II. Wastewater treatment processes A. Preliminary treatment 1. Purpose 2. Screening 3. Shredding 4. Grit chambers B. Flow measuring devices C. Primary treatment 1. Purpose 2. Detention time D. Secondary treatment 1. Purpose 2. Trickling filters 3. Rotating biological contactors 4. Activated sludge 5. Secondary clarifiers E. Solids handling and disposal 1. Purpose 2. Digestion and dewatering 3. Incineration F. Disinfection G. Effluent disposal H. Waste treatment ponds III. Waste treatment ponds A. Terms B. Use of ponds C. History D. Pond classifications and applications E. Treatment process F. Pond performance G. Starting a pond H. Daily operation and maintenance 1. Scum control 2. Odor control 3. Weed and insect control 4. Levee maintenance 5. Headworks and screening 6. Abnormal operation 7. Batch operation 8. Shutting down a pond 9. Operating strategy 10. Algae control I. Surface aerators J. Sampling and analysis K. Safety IV. Disinfection and chlorination A. Terms B. Need for disinfection C. Points of chlorine application 1. Collection system chlorination 2. Prechlorination 3. Plant chlorination 4. Chlorination before filtration 5. Postchlorination D. Chlorination process control 1. Chlorinator control 2. Chlorination control nomogram 3. Hydrochlorinator feed rate and control 4. Chlorine solution discharge lines, diffusers, and mixing 5. Measurement of chlorine residual 6. Startup of chlorinators 7. Normal and abnormal operation 8. Shutdown of a chlorinator 9. Operational strategy E. Safety program 1. Chlorine hazards 2. First aid F. Chlorination equipment and maintenance 1. Chlorinators 2. Evaporators 3. Hypochlorinators 4. Chlorine dioxide facility 5. Installation and maintenance G. Dechlorination 1. Need 2. Sulfur dioxide 3. Hazards 4. Sulfonation 5. Sulfonator controls 6. Sulfonation process

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 25, 2020

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.