Workshop/Seminar Summaries

Presented nationwide by Mike Harrington

Updated April 2007

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Comparing Alternative Disinfection Systems for Water/Wastewater Operations:

The pros and cons of chlorine (gas, powder, liquid) compared and contrasted against alternatives like Chloramines, Chlorine Dioxide, Ozone, UV, Mixed Oxidants, Ultra-filtration and other disinfectants and how they may help in meeting requirements for the Disinfection By-products, and up coming Groundwater Rules. An Interactive program combining superb computer generated visuals, discussion, and demonstrations.

Time Line: Minimum 2 hours to maximum of 6 hours, (full day).

Chlorination Disinfection Science; Comparing Various Chlorination based Processes:

Let’s first review the dosing technology for the three basic forms of chlorine disinfection. Then, look at the pros and cons of each type of system. Learn why switching from a gas based chlorination process may not be advantages or cost effective, when one looks at the “real” costs. Discover why most current Hypochlorite users don’t routinely measure product strength. Examine Hypochlorite strength and residual testing methods. Find out why on-site generation systems may be appropriate and cost effective. Look at simple ways to minimize disinfection By-products. Is a tablet based chlorine disinfection system appropriate? Through the use of superb computer visuals, expert commentary, demonstrations, and case histories, the operator will leave with answers to these questions and more.

Time Line: Minimum 2 hours to maximum of 6 hours, (full day).

Verifying the Water/Wastewater Treatment Processes:

Before operations personnel select any water quality test procedure to monitor or process manage, one most choose the right method. This combination interactive lecture, and test method demonstration covers the 6 basic test methods available in water & wastewater operators, (Gravimetric, Colorimetric, Titrimetric, Turbimetric, Electrometric, and Nephelometric) then explores the test method selection process. Answers, the questions, how do I choose the best method? What criteria are used to select the best testing procedures for results reporting and process control? Computer visuals combined with live test examples, and verbal presentation.

Time Line: Minimum 2 hours to maximum of 6 hours, (full day).

Safety/Security Screening of Wastewater for Toxicity:

This program defines through a series of interactive computer visuals and verbal text, the basics for operators of small wastewater systems, to quickly set up a screening program. Through interactive lecture and visuals, the operator will learn that a simple three step protocol may be needed, combining surveillance, operational testing, and quick screening tests to guard against that surprise system upset by an unknown in the waste stream. Explores how simple DO uptake studies, quick, (45 minute) COD test, and on-site ORP studies provide real-time info for decision making.

Time line: Minimum 1 hour to maximum of 3 hours, (one-half day).

Corrosion Management in Potable Waters; It’s Not Just Water Chemistry:

This workshop combines superb visuals and interactive lecture with live demonstrations, first defining potable water corrosion, the benefits of determining corrosion indexes, examining water quality issues like pH, Temperature, TDS, Hardness, Alkalinity. The operator will learn that effective corrosion control in potable water requires more than water chemistry studies. Disinfection, (type/residual), distribution piping, flushing schedules, treatment process, coupon studies, electrical grounding all play a major role in total system corrosion. Typical corrosion control practices are reviewed, compared and contrasted.

Time Line: Minimum 2 hours to maximum of 6 hours, (full day).

Determining Proper Chemical Dose, Simulating your Treatment Process:

Isn’t Jar Testing a complex test to run? It doesn’t have to be! Through superb visuals, example demonstrations, and suggested models, learn how to simplify the common jar test protocol, and pay attention to the details of performing this test. It’s not just for surface waters anymore! Learn to simplify your chemical dose calculations for coagulants, corrosion control chemicals, polymers, disinfection demand, Permanganate demand, and others. Learn why paying attention to jar shape, flash mix “G&rdquop; curve, point of addition, verification sampling, easy to convert calculations, can provide solid, verifiable chemical dosage information.

Time Line: Minimum 1 hour to maximum of 3 hours, (one-half day).

True Confessions of a Water/Wastewater Operator:

OK, how did you set that initial chemical dose last year? Through superb interactive graphics and vibrant animated presentation, the operator will explore the most common chemical dosing mistakes, like “All treatment chemical strengths never change”, “dosage adjustments are only needed when flow and demand change”, “Delivered chemical product is always exactly as specified”. Chemical feed pump outputs never vary, simply… “Set-it & forget it”, or “I need to monitor what in my water”? Let’s lift the veil related to chemical feed and see why chemical strength, pump calibration, product verification, and residual measurements are so important to conserve resources.

Time line: Minimum 1 hour to 2.5 hour presentation.

Three Stooges of Water/Wastewater Testing:

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the three most common tests run in water/wastewater systems today. This workshop via superb computer visuals, verbal text and live demonstrations gives the operator an opportunity to get the most out their testing skills. Employing pH, Chlorine, and DO testing apparatus is a five-step process of selection, use, care, verification, and maintenance. Learn numerous helpful hints to achieve solid verifiable, accurate, viable test results for operations and reporting purposes.

Time Line: Minimum 2 hour to maximum of 6 hours, (full - day).

Simplified Nutrient Monitoring in Small Wastewater Systems:

This workshop combines superb computer visuals, verbal text and simplified test procedure demonstrations to show the operator of a lagoon or small wastewater system the benefits of Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) profiling, monitoring nutrient levels (Ammonia, Nitrate/Nitrite, Phosphate) and Alkalinity with common “test kits” methodology. Operators can monitor the “Nitrogen Cycle”, determine nitrification/de-nitrification performance, and monitor sludge digestion processes. Test results in this program are not intended for compliance.

Time Line: Minimum 1.5 hours to a maximum of 3 hours, (one-half day).

Ten Best Kept Water & Wastewater Process Management Secrets:

This program explores ten (11) unique little known “tools” one can use now to achieve a better process operations in treatment, distribution, or collection. Through superb computer slides and graphics, along with an interactive verbal presentation, learn why simple hypochlorite strength measurements are important, why portable ORP monitoring can yield big wastewater monitoring dividends, how refining lab tests for disinfection residuals, Alkalinity, solids core-taking, and jar-testing can avoid violations. See what two key inexpensive tools are missing from most treatment plant tool-box. Learn why corrosion control isn’t just water chemistry, and explore simplified testing methods for process control.

Time line: Minimum 3.0 hours to maximum of 6 hours, (full - day).

Simplifying Your Water/Wastewater Process Monitoring:

This workshop takes an in-depth look at Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) and routine Alkalinity testing as monitoring tools in the water/wastewater treatment process. Through vivid computer visuals and graphics, the operator explores how these two simple test measurements may offer significant time savings, reduce monitoring and disposal costs, afford real-time, “right now” process data to make on-the-spot operations decisions. First, an elementary definition is investigated for both, then a look at the necessary steps to select, care, use, maintain and verify the appropriate hardware, plus simple demonstrations show how these two measurements can be used to monitor disinfection residuals, Nitrification/Denitrification, collection system screening, sludge digestion, potable water corrosion, and others in the water/wastewater system.

Time Line: Minimum 3.0 hours to a maximum of 6 hours (full - day).

Simple Microscope Applications for Wastewater Operators:

This one-of-a-kind workshop was written to help wastewater operators obtain better process control through microscopic examination of mixed liquors and other waste streams. Let’s start with the basics…microscope features and benefits, define the microscope selection process…compare and contrast…better features usually translates to better results; not all the time. Explore cost factors. Let’s talk sampling, slide preparation, maintenance, staining techniques, and actual sample examination. Finally, organism class identification and how does the presence, absence, mobility, number of various classes of organisms translates to wastewater process control. Through superb computer slides and graphics, visual demonstrations, hands-on, plus a lively interactive verbal presentation, even the most advanced operator will find this program skill enhancing. Note: This program is not a bug identification class.

Time Line: Minimum 1.5 hours to a maximum of 3 hours (one-half day).

Ultraviolet - Common Sense Disinfection Technology for the 21^st Century:

This workshop investigates the latest UV disinfection techniques and applications for both potable and wastewater’s. Through the use of superb interactive text and graphics, plus hand-on exercises, operations personnel explore the advantages of UV systems compared to typical chemical disinfection systems like Chlorine or Ozone. Learn why the latest research suggest low-dose UV may be very effective at controlling Giardia and Cryptosporidium in potable waters, define and examine what UV is, how does it differs versus other typical disinfection systems, understand the disadvantages. Review appropriate applications, in community and non-community potable waters and wastewater’s. If there is an alternative to chlorine, learn why UV may be the low cost choice for installation, operation, and maintenance.

Time Line: Minimum 1.5 hours to maximum of 3 hours (one-half day).

Simple Low-Cost Small-System Distribution Monitoring:

This workshop explores low-cost alternatives to monitor the “Weakest Link” in potable waters. Through easy to understand graphics, terrific verbal presentation, and timely demonstrations, learn how to survey key areas of your distribution for safety/security venerability, examine case-histories, view low-cost ideas and applications to monitor strategic areas of your distribution as an early-warning tool to prevent disinfection residual violations or assess your system for intrusions. Learn about monitoring system components, applications & integration from hardware to data acquisitions and transmission.

Time Line: Minimum 1.5 hours to maximum of 3 hours (one-half day).

Common-Sense 21st Century Fluoridation Practices:

Current Fluoridations practices are under close scrutiny by the general public, academic and through the media. Through superb, simplified graphics this workshop explores the history of Fluoridation, common misconceptions, and responses. Look at ways to minimize the Fluoride dose and maximize the residual Fluoride in water. Learn the best practices to maintain a consistent dose. View current dosing systems and find the appropriate chemical dosing structure. Explore residual measurements and learn some key tools for reliable, repeatable, and accurate residual results. Learn why something as simple as Fluoride-Free distilled/deionized water is so important; and why glassware can “make-or-break” your Fluoride test. This program features a two-hour hands-on segment with colorimetric and probe based residual Fluoride test protocol.

Time lines: Minimum 2.0 hours to maximum of 4.0 hours (with hands-on segment, half-day)

Chasing the Thermal “Demons” from the Process:

Take what you know about how temperature affects your water/wastewater process, then be prepared to take a 21st century viewpoint. First, let’s review the various water/wastewater processes, and discuss the net effect temperature has on just about every facet of the plant. Next, we’ll take a look at the six most common apparatus used to measure temperature. Compare and contrast this apparatus to find the right measurement tool. Least we forget, that all temperature measurement apparatus must be routinely and regularly calibrated, we review common calibration protocol demonstrating the typical 0° C DI ice and 100° C DI boiling water calibration process. See how important the NIST traceable reference is to accurate temperature measurements. Find out why proper documentation is the key to meeting most regulatory requirements. After taking this class, you will have a whole different perspective on the role temperature plays in the process.

Time lines: Minimum 3.5 hours to maximum of 6 hours, full-day

The programs listed above are written and presented in a very simplified format. Timely subject matter, superb animated interactive verbal presentations, visual demonstrations, and even hands-on work stations where appropriate, all encourage the attendee to be an active player in the learning process. While these programs are designed, written, and presented for the water/wastewater operator with limited work experience and skill, even the most advanced operators find these programs entertaining, informative, and skill enhancing.

Mike Harrington holds certifications in water, wastewater and industrial wastewater treatment, is a Certified Environmental Instructor (CET) and has operational as well as manufacturer work experience. He gives numerous workshops across the U.S. annually. He currently writes and presents these programs on behalf of state-regulatory, industry, and training agencies nationwide.

Contact us for details.