Fundamentals of Drinking Water Treatment – Basic Level

COURSE TITLE:   Fundamentals of Drinking Water Treatment, Basic Level

OPERATOR GRADES:   Recommended for Grade 1, Grade 2, Entry Level

PREREQUISITE:   High School Diploma or GED

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

     This is a Basic level Fundamentals of Drinking Water Treatment course of instruction, designed for entry level, grade 1 and grade 2 treatment operators taking their first Fundamentals of Drinking Water Course. It is intended to acquaint the operator with a basic concept of drinking water treatment. Course topics will include: Basic and Grades 1-2 Water Treatment Mathematics, Water Sources and Sanitary Hazards, Pumps and Motors, Equipment Maintenance, an introduction to California Title 22 Water Quality Regulations, Record Keeping and Reporting, Basic Water Quality, Disinfection, Lab Analysis and Interpretation, Chemistry, Microbiology, Filtration, Coagulation/Flocculation/Sedimentation, Instrumentation, Pretreatment and Watershed Management, Backflow/ Cross Connection Control and Safety.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of the course, the Operator will be able to:

1. Describe the responsibilities of a Water Treatment operator.
2. Describe the two major sources of raw water and the sanitary hazards involved in the pre-treatment and treatment process of raw water.
3. Compute basic dosage, demand and residual, volumes, chemical dosage calculations, solutions and solutions percentages and industry related mathematical problems and demonstrate the mathematical application of water formulas and conversions .
4. Demonstrate a basic understanding of coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation processes.
5. Discuss the microbiological impact of bacteria, viruses and protozoa on drinking water.
6. Describe disinfection practices to provide safe drinking water.
7. Review basic water chemistry including conventional pretreatment and chemical post-treatment processes and controls.
8. Develop a basic knowledge of pumps, pumping and motors.
9. Demonstrate the importance of laboratory analysis and record keeping.
10. Review equipment maintenance and worksite safety practices
11. Analyze basic water sampling practices.
12. Appreciate basic instrumentation practice.
13. Demonstrate basic backflow / cross connection control fundamentals to the water treatment process.
14. Examine the legal aspects, moral requirements and application of California Title 22 Water Quality Laws and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:  Lectures, workbook activities and audiovisual aides.

METHODS OF EVALUATION:  A review examination is administered at the conclusion of each lecture.  A

final examination is given at the completion of the course.

COURSE CONTENT:

1. Basic Level and Grade 1 Water Treatment Math.
   • Review of basic arithmetic problem solving techniques.
   • Volumes, Dosage, Demand and Residual formulas.
   • Solutions, solution percentages, and chemical dosage.
   • Industry conversions and problem solving applications.
2. Water Sources, Quality Parameters and the SDWA.
3. Basic water chemistry, disinfection and microbiology.
4. Water Sampling procedures, lab analysis and interpretation.
5. California Regulations (Title 22), record keeping, and reporting.
6. Conventional surface water treatment, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration.
7. Pumps and motors.
8. Backflow / cross connection, instrumentation, pre-treatment and watershed management, equipment maintenance and safety.