Utiliency Services Class Descriptions

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This three-hour training class covers the settling of solids in collection systems and grit chambers, including settling velocities in sewers and grit separators, and the effects of influent characteristics on removal efficiency.  Participants will explore the general science of settling solids, focusing on specific density, velocity, and treatment and design characteristics.  The session includes diagrams and schematics of treatment plants, with side-by-side discussions of circular and rectangular clarifier components.  Firsthand practice will involve solving math problems related to volumes, detention time, and surface overflow rate. Additional topics include review of weirs, launders, sludge removal mechanisms, process variables and their control, and safety and general maintenance tips

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This three-hour training class covers the importance of maintaining wastewater collection infrastructure, including pump stations and force mains. Effective preventive maintenance programs are essential for preventing illegal wastewater releases, reducing emergency repairs, and lowering associated costs.  The course will introduce free online tools and resources to help collection system staff improve their understanding, planning, and operation activities.  Specific topics reviewed include inspection and condition assessment, inflow and infiltration reduction, public outreach programs, and various fact sheets, case studies, and ordinances demonstrating best practices in collection system operation and maintenance.

This three-hour training classcovers the basic biological processes for municipal wastewater secondary treatment, focusing on both activated sludge and fixed-film.  It includes discussions on activated sludge composition, bacterial metabolism, and growth rates, along with the configuration and operation of various secondary treatment systems.  Participants will practice process calculations and learn secondary treatment terminologies, bacterial processes, process control tests, math problems, and the use of microscopic examination for monitoring and adjustment.

This three-hour training class covers the purpose of disinfection for the reduction of waterborne diseases and explores the three most-prevalent wastewater disinfection processes – chlorination, ultraviolet radiation, and ozonation.  The need and mechanisms for de-chlorination will also be reviewed.  Participants will also gain insights into regulatory compliance and best practices for maintaining an effective disinfection system.  The course will provide first-hand opportunities to solve typical disinfection-related math problems.  This comprehensive training aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and skills required to ensure public health and environmental protection through effective wastewater disinfection practices.

This three-hour training class will help attendees refresh or develop their basic math skills utilizing problem-solving demonstrations and group participation.  Solving practice questions will be demonstrated and practiced, followed by guided solution development.  Topics covered include fractions and percentages, unit conversions, circumference and perimeters, areas, volumes, introduction to the ABC formula sheet, how to rearrange formulas, and exam math problem strategies for success. 

This three-hour training class will help attendees refresh or develop their collection system math skills utilizing problem-solving demonstrations and group participation.  Practice questions will be demonstrated and practiced, followed by guided solution development.  Topics covered include slopes, loading/population equivalents, detention times, flow rates, velocity, and pump station run-time calibrations. 

This three-hour training class will help attendees refresh or develop their wastewater treatment-related basic math skills utilizing problem-solving demonstrations and group participation.  Practice questions will be demonstrated and practiced, followed by guided solution development.  Topics covered include a review of basic math concepts, detention times, percent removal, pounds/loading, pumping rates, weir overflow rates, and surface settling rates.

This three-hour training class will help attendees refresh or develop their activated sludge-related math skills utilizing problem-solving demonstrations and group participation.  Practice questions will be demonstrated and practiced, followed by guided solution development.  Topics covered include a review of basic math concepts, aeration basin organic loading, F/M ratios, solids retention times, wasting rates, trickling filter organic/hydraulic loading, and RBC organic/hydraulic loading.

This three-hour training class aims to help attendees enhance or develop their solids processing-related math skills through problem-solving demonstrations and group participation.  The course includes practice questions followed by guided solutions and covers basic math concepts, suspended and percent solids determination and loading, dewatering calculations, gravity thickener and centrifuge solids loading, digester gas production problems, volatile acids-to-alkalinity ratios, and composting percent moisture calculations.

This three-hour class covers the basics of recycling treated municipal wastewater for uses such as agriculture, irrigation, groundwater replenishment, industrial processes, environmental restoration, and even drinking water.  The class highlights the differences between potable (drinkable) and non-potable reuse, and reviews federal and state regulations. Attendees will learn about the benefits of wastewater reuse for resource efficiency, environmental and public health, and water management.  The class will also discuss the treatment technologies necessary to protect health and the environment.

This three-hour training class covers the basic logic of troubleshooting and process control strategies for the activated sludge process, as presented in classical wastewater operator instruction manuals.  New wastewater operators and those seeking to become new operators will benefit.  Several troubleshooting and process control scenarios will be presented, along with initial corrective actions.  Specific topics include what different aeration basin foam colors indicate, using microscopic examination to determine aeration basin conditions, discussing operational strategies for implementing process changes, and using visual tools to help make operational decisions.

This three-hour training class introduces the concept of wastewater effluent nutrient reduction by reviewing the consequences of excess nutrient discharge, water-quality based effluent discharge limits, the sources of nutrients in municipal wastewater, and various control and reduction strategies.  The course introduces the concepts of enhanced biological treatment systems – highlighting typical removal performances, ideal operating conditions, and wastewater characteristics.  Topics include the role and usefulness of enhanced biological treatment systems, the nitrogen and phosphorus cycle within these systems, and ideal operating conditions and limitations within enhanced biological systems.

This three-hour training class covers the utilization of pH and suspended solids information for making operational decisions at a wastewater treatment plant, emphasizing critical steps for ensuring proper sample collection, analyses, and documentation of results. One hour will focus on pH, covering the introduction to pH measurements, differences between acidic and basic conditions, sample representativeness, composite vs. grab sampling, proper sample containers, hold times, and meter calibration techniques.  Another hour will address suspended solids analysis, discussing total suspended solids (TSS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS), their role in process control decisions, preparation for analyses, and utilization of a drying oven, furnace, and analytical balance.  The remaining time will involve demonstrating process control math word problems, based on actual suspended solids analytical results.

This three-hour training class covers the negative aspects of excess fats, oil, and grease in collection systems and wastewater treatment plants.  The course will demonstrate preliminary steps that wastewater staff have successfully employed when working with food-service and food-preparation establishments to decrease grease discharges.  Topics covered include the relationship between grease discharges and sanitary sewer blockages and overflows, relative anticipated grease contributions from diverse types of food service establishments, typical components of internal and external grease separators, Sewer Use Ordinance enhancements for grease controls, food service establishment BMPs, and public outreach materials.

 Extended heat waves and powerful storms with heavy rain, snow, ice, and wind have the potential to bring blackouts and emergency power conditions every year.  Having a plan in place to protect your facility and collection system infrastructure in case of the unexpected is an operational necessity. 

This three-hour training class aims to introduce concepts, tools, and resources to help utility managers and staff prepare for future power interruptions, preventing sewer overflows and discharge permit violations. Topics include elements of a power outage contingency plan, determining backup power needs and generator sizing, and reviewing resources regarding power outage contingencies.

Utilizing information from Sacramento’s Manage for Success, this three-hour training class will assist attendees in recognizing problems, identifying opportunities for change, and taking steps to solve issues before they escalate.  Techniques in communication, information gathering, and analysis will be highlighted to support decision-making when faced with multiple potential alternatives.  Topics include the eight steps in the problem-solving process, analysis techniques to gather comprehensive information about the problem and its causes, using measurable criteria to evaluate solution effectiveness, identifying four decision levels (strategic, management, operational, and transactional) with utility-specific examples, and building support for decisions while overcoming resistance. 

This three-hour training course introduces the concept of heavy metals treatment utilizing hydroxide precipitation.  This includes adjusting the pH (hydroxide ion concentration) of the wastewater so that metals will form insoluble precipitates.  Once these metals form solids, they can be removed through chemically-enhanced settling and filtration. Topics covered include general guidelines for removing dissolved metals from industrial wastewater, a discussion of the metals removal unit processes, and a review of online subject-matter resources.  Cyanide destruction through alkaline chlorination and chromium reduction will also be introduced.

This three-hour training class covers pump components, their functions, and utilization for moving liquids and solids in a wastewater system. Exam-related pump math skills will also be explained and reviewed. Topics covered include the theory of pumping fluids, centrifugal vs. positive displacement pumps, wet well and dry well configurations, basic pump hydraulics, pump curves, horsepower concepts, typical centrifugal pump components (sleeves, seals, impellors), and pumping rate calculations for both centrifugal and positive displacement pumps.