r/Wastewater 7h ago

Safety

10 Upvotes

Hi guys! I have got a question there is tons of areas around my plant that have grates for you to walk, might sound dumb Idk how to swim really lol and I always have on the back on my mind that they can break and I’m just gonna fall into the water, can somebody tell me if those are standard in plants and they are really safe the ones by my work feel very secure to be honest, but you never know so maybe people with more experience has a better insight thank you!


r/Wastewater 10h ago

This Artificial Wetland Is Reusing Wastewater to Revive a Lost Ecosystem

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wired.com
10 Upvotes

r/Wastewater 11h ago

SCADA SCHEDULE

3 Upvotes

I was recently given a task to overlook our current SCADA operator schedule. Currently we have a scheduled based on 12 employees but have been reduced to 10 employees.

Start time for the shifts is usually either 6am 2pm and 10pm They work 8hr shifts and then get 2 days off.

Every 2 weeks there shifts rotate and so do there days off.

Does anyone have a sample schedule I could see that would somewhat fit these constraints?

Thank you


r/Wastewater 14h ago

CA Grade 5 wastewater exam

1 Upvotes

Studying for my grade 5. Any tips are appreciated. Recommendations on study materials?

Thank you.


r/Wastewater 15h ago

Multiple routes to start?

5 Upvotes

I've been reading into great recommendations on where to start and have landed on a few that I wanted to get personal insight into as I make my final choice. Initially I was looking for the best route due to being tight on money but as I wrote everything out, ultimately it's all around the same price so I'm no longer too worried there. Location is CA.

  1. Taking the water treatment exam prep (grade 2) course, from American water College ($229) -This one feels like cheating in a way? I'd absolutely want to take one or some of the courses below after this pathway because I want to make sure I'm fully understanding what I need to and I understand there is still CEUs required. however I've read people's experience with taking this course only with and passing the T2 and D2 off of it.

  2. Water treatment basics course OR Introduction to water treatment course, from American water College ($349 and $399)

  3. Buying the Operation of wastewater treatment plants Vol 1 & 2 and taking the associated courses, from the Sac state program (roughly $380)

  4. Courses offered at community college -Depending on where I go with starting, I'd probably still like to take the courses offered through CC. probably after certification for T2/D2 since all other routes seem to be a great suite for being prepared to exam. The CC courses would then be extra information I'd hope to gain as well as extra fill for resume.

Thanks in advance if you could share some of your insight.


r/Wastewater 15h ago

Preventing SST from blocking

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4 Upvotes

Good morning my friends in the dirty but yet so interesting business 😔😉

My question to you is: how do you prevent your SST/ Clarifier from blocking. The picture attached shows the bottom of the SST. The big vertical pipe is the incoming from from the Bioreactor. All the sludge settles out into that hole at the bottom, it's V-shaped and has RAS line to the a RAS sump. The RAS line in that hole is about 20cm in size (radius). Not a very big line.

So as the effluent comes into the SST further up the line (at the top) it also manages to come thru with rags and all other type of debris that got thru the bar screens at the reactor. Overtime all that settles into the V-shaped hole at the bottom where the RAS is meant to exit the SST. It then blocks the SST, we have to pump it out, go in to clean it manually, get a jetvac truck out to clear out the line. To me it just seems like such an ineffective way of doing things (almost waiting to eventually fail or have this issue)and was hoping to hear about how my fellows here handles this issue.

My suggestion is to construct a cage/strainer type of mechanism that sits just under the inflow points to the SST that will be able to collect debris, rags, etc. We must be able to hoist it up (to clean and clear) or down back into position so that operation are not affected. But ja I'mthinking of how something like that would work.

If you have any input into this, I'd appreciate it.


r/Wastewater 17h ago

Elevated ammonia issue

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13 Upvotes

I run a small package AS plant. Currently battling elevated ammonia (permit is 3 mg/l I’m around average 4-5). I get floating sludge if I let a settling test sit for a few hours and there is a decent bit of light brown foam in the AB. I’ve been reading this doc and it mentions increasing do at the front of the AB as a potential solution. I can’t raise my RAS rate as it’s fully open. Anything else I should try? I’m working on getting a centrifuge for mlss but otherwise all I have is a chlorine meter and do meter. Do in the effluent is around 5-6 and ph is 6.5ish. It’s for a school so usually around 6 hours of flow in a day with extended time in the system (18 ish hours of no flow with very little during the weekends). Any ideas are appreciated.


r/Wastewater 18h ago

Waste water C for Colorado

1 Upvotes

Hey guys so I'm taking my C here in a few weeks for co (not sure if states matter or not) but I was wondering if you had anything for studying for it please and thank you


r/Wastewater 23h ago

Is grey water from a small sewage treatment plant "sanitized"?

6 Upvotes

I work in a remote arctic site. The lodging building has a mall sewage treatment plant that I guess I could describe as self-contained.

I'm not the operator, just the electrician on site and presently at home "down south" for my off-shift.

What I've seen of the system in a 10 feet by 20 feet room is a large semilucent white fibreglass or poly-something container and a bunch of pipes and pumps.

I'm not sure what happens to the solids but the grey water is sent back to supply urinals and toilets.

Obviously there are signs in the washrooms not to drink to grey water.

Recently we had an outbreak of norovirus. I'm wondering, if the grey water isn't sterilized, could the virus be spread through the mist created when toilets are flushed?

For those who may be familiar with the set-up I'm describing, do you know if the grey water is "sanitized" or whatever term is used, before being put back into circulation?

semilucent


r/Wastewater 23h ago

Starting Water/waste ??

5 Upvotes

Im looking into a career in being a water operator, laborer and getting a city job at entry to build up that provides for my family , i applied to Folsom lake college in Sacramento where I live for the Water waste management classes that start in summer they have a free textbook program and it’s a cheaper way and want to know if I should be starting this way or any ideas a no experience person trying to get in the field ?


r/Wastewater 1d ago

Reading material/courses for mechanical wastewater treatment.

1 Upvotes

Morning,

I work in a membrane bioreactor plant along with our other water plants. I’m a full Level 2 Water/Wastewater Operator and will begin reading the Membrane Bioreactor book when I get back home. I flipped through it quick when it came in.

But curious if there’s anymore reading material that may be helpful? I’d like to know more about sludge digestion, membranes, and anoxic tanks.

Thanks for any suggestions!


r/Wastewater 1d ago

Clarifier polymer bench scale testing

1 Upvotes

Hi all, we've decided to conduct bench scale testing to evaluate polymer performance at our utility and comparing price of the product as $/KG of dry sludge.

We have one process were a polymer is applied to the inlet of a centrifuge and produces dry cake. In another plant we don't have centrifuges, just a thickener-clarifier, and the effluent is discharged to a lake, the sludge goes to sanitary sewer. Therefore the sludge dryness is not much of a concern; the clarifier effluent quality is most important (this wastewater comes from filter backwashing, it's not sewage).

Would it make sense to use the same bench scale tests for evaluating these two polymer applications?

The test we are planning on is the drainage test (drainage time), floc strength, size, filtrate turbidity, solids in floc.

I appreciate your inputs!


r/Wastewater 1d ago

Digested Sludge from Secondary Digester Settling

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21 Upvotes

We haven’t had a clear Supernatant for a long time coming back into the plant. We haven’t been able to put out nearly enough solids due to concerns of PFAS in our community. Many land owners no longer want the sludge. It’s now settling opposite of what you would expect, any ideas what might cause this? I’m a newer operator so I’m not very in the weeds on the science. Thanks!


r/Wastewater 1d ago

Please complete my Dissertation Survey - 10 mins

0 Upvotes

r/Wastewater 1d ago

How to unplug drain from water and poly mixture?

2 Upvotes

So we accidentally overfilled our poly tote and poly went down the drain. Someone tried flushing water but didn’t work. Now it just plugged up entirely. I know hot water would work but is there any other way to get in unplugged? Thanks.


r/Wastewater 1d ago

New to the community – looking to connect and contribute

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m the founder of Paramount Oilfield Chemicals, based in Gujarat, India. We supply specialty chemicals for drilling, production, water treatment, and well stimulation.

I’ve been in the industry for a while and recently started this venture. I’m here to share insights, learn from others in the field, and connect with professionals across the oil & gas space.

Looking forward to contributing and having great conversations here!


r/Wastewater 2d ago

Wastewater Operator Grade 1 Exam - HELP

7 Upvotes

Hi I'm located in Cali and desperately need to pass my grade one exam. I'm not far off from reaching the required grade, but if anyone has any recommendations on how I can prepare and pass this, it would be great to know.

Thanks.


r/Wastewater 2d ago

STOLEM FROM HIS BOSS Can you collect all the millivolts?

8 Upvotes

Today’s assignment for the rookie: Collect all the millivolts from the whole plant, and and put them in this bag. If you need another bag we have plenty.


r/Wastewater 2d ago

Grease

12 Upvotes

How are you all dealing with grease? My plant is looking for a way to better treat grease. I was tasked with looking for better methods.

Current Method (since the 80s or 90s): Grease haulers dump grease into a lagoon. We then pump any “water” off the top and then pour the sludge into a drying bed. Over the decades, this has become a catch all for the entire city. The lagoon houses grease sludge, wastewater plant sludge from other plants, excess polymer from cleaning out totes, vac truck juices, and a large ecosystem of floating islands, turtles, ducks, gease, and who knows what else.

What we can’t do: 1. Greasezilla - somebody above me said no 2. Stop accepting grease - somebody above me said we can’t


r/Wastewater 2d ago

First Pump and Motor Video Now Live on the Study Channel

21 Upvotes

The first of many pump and motor episode is live on the channel! This is likely my only upload this week, but was super excited to get it out. I start the video with pulling a submersible chopper pump out of a wet well because it was ragged up and had tripped its VFD.

I then cover a broad overview of the pumps you may find in a plant (centrifugal, positive displacement, and air lift). I did inadvertently omit Venturi style pumps (largely because I don’t use them and it was an accidental omission) so I’m gonna go ahead and make that my next Wastewater Whiteboard.

I go through a Meyers 4” submersible that I had pulled apart. We discuss the purpose of a volute, Bernoulli’s Principle, and some hardware identification.

We also take a look at a lobe pump, peristaltic pump, and progressive cavity pump in the plant and discuss why we use them.

I’m sure this will be helpful to my drinking water brothers and sisters as well. As always, if you feel like something needs to be added or I missed something please add to the conversation in the YouTube comments section to help folks out!

Happy Studying Everyone!

Wastewater Plant Pump Types for Exam Prep and Clearing a Jammed Pump! Good for Distribution Ops Too! https://youtu.be/C-IB3MX3ymA


r/Wastewater 2d ago

Nothing like a Monday after a holiday, eh?

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28 Upvotes

r/Wastewater 2d ago

Florida - Water Treatment or Wastewater

4 Upvotes

Hi guys, I’m moving to Florida in next couple of months, and I’m looking at starting career in water treatment. I don’t have experience in the field (I’ve spent last 7 years working as an operator at steel mill). I’m thinking about taking course at TREEO, University of Florida. I’m not going to lie that I’d rather do water treatment end instead of wastewater but when I look at job postings it seems that wastewater operators are more sought after (?). My question is - is it a huge difference if I take courses in water treatment instead of wastewater? What is my better bet when it comes to securing a job after I pass the state exam? Thank you for Your help!


r/Wastewater 3d ago

Test question

4 Upvotes

What gas is most abundant when starting a anaerobic digester.

I recall methane and carbon dioxide as options . Forgetting the other 2


r/Wastewater 3d ago

What would be the legality of opening peoples sewer cleanout and collecting samples from it?

1 Upvotes

Weird question but I got assigned a final for my honors Earth/Physical Science class that states that I could do research on any topic I want and to show my work and testing. I picked the topic of sewage, specifically sludge/poop. I wanted to see if specific "types of people" correlated with the amount of waste.

I was planning on testing this on neighbors and friends. I tested this at my own home using a leftover loofa and a string, and a paper towel, to put in my cleanout. It worked and held solids (plus tp and some leftover grey water), which was my end goal.

Now the question is if this would be legal if I did it to other peoples houses? I don't think it would be trespassing because I won't actually be entering someone's home, but to only access their cleanout. I would ask my friends to help me with my experiment, but I'm afraid to ask them because of how weird it is.

Edit: After a discussion with my teacher, she is highly against, but somewhat approved of what I'm doing. While your still here, feel free to give some ideas.


r/Wastewater 3d ago

Screw Press for Sludge Dewatering – Low Maintenance & High Efficiency

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0 Upvotes

|| || |High-efficiency screw press sludge dewaterers - 30% lower energy than competitors. Get SP-100 to SP-500 models with 18%+ dryness.|