| Workshop/Seminar Summaries |
| Presented nationwide by Don Van Veldhuizen |
| Updated April 2008 |
| Contact us for details. |
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| Comprehensive water audits-accounting for every drop (water) |
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| Learn the 5 step process so that your system can conduct its own comprehensive water audit. This will enable you to know where your water is going and where to focus your attentions. We will discuss leaks, stolen water, meter accuracy, flushing, city uses, fire suppression, and distribution maintenance. |
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| Length: 1 - 4 hours. |
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| Chemical feed basics (water/wastewater) |
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| Whether your preference is diaphragm or peristaltic, learn about operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of these work horses of water treatment. You will also be able to determine which pump/s will work best in your application and which pump/s to avoid. Also, we will discuss calculating doses and setting the controls of the equipment. |
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| Length: 1 - 3 hours. |
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| Pumping technologies (water/wastewater) |
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| This overview of pumps will discuss application, operation and maintenance, and basic troubleshooting for centrifugal and positive displacement pumps. From water to sludge learn the ability and limitations for each type of pump and the checks to determine if the pump is operating correctly. |
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| Length: 1 - 6 hours. |
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| Solids balance basics (wastewater) |
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| No matter what type or size of activated sludge system you are operating, take home some helpful and time saving techniques to optimize plant performance. Advantages and disadvantages will be discussed concerning Food/Microbe ratios (F/Ms), Sludge Retention Times (SRTs), and Mean Cell Residence Times (MCRTs). Learn which method is best for your situation and how to minimize the operations lab time. |
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| Length: 1 - 6 hours. |
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| Setting water/wastewater rates (water/wastewater) |
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| Is your system operating in Red or Black? Learn how to determine and set fair and equitable water/wastewater rates. Also discussed will be how to sell the need for a rate increase to the board, council, and public. |
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| Length: 1 - 3 hours. |
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| Filament control action plan (wastewater) |
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| Filaments are beneficial up to a point. When they become a detriment, learn what are the causes of most filament issues and the different methods of control. From nocardia to microthrix parvicella, what are the best options on where to proceed before a violation occurs? Short term and long term options will be discussed. |
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| Length: 1 - 2 hours. |
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| Line locating (water/wastewater) |
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| Locates are done in every system. Learn the science behind the locator and how to use that science to your benefit. This two part class will first discuss the locator and some tricks of the trade that may assist you in those difficult locates. The second part will be a hands on demonstration locating pipes in the system. |
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| Length: 1 - 2 hours. |
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| Main line flushing (water) |
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| Flushing is a necessary yet often overlooked part of distribution maintenance. Determine the frequency and duration for the flushing of your system and the results when flushing is completed. Learn how to set up and execute a flushing plan. What equipment and chemicals (if de-chlorinating) are necessary and how to use them. |
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| Length: 1 - 2 hours. |
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| Capacity Development (water/wastewater) |
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| Financial |
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| A round table discussion involved around problems and benefits of three areas of finances and the ability to properly maintain the resources’ of the system; assets, budgeting and resources, and determining employee payroll. |
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| Length: 1 - 3 hours. |
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| Managerial |
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| A round table discussion involved around issues system managers encounter such as state and federal requirements, employee hiring and training, grievances and firing, and time management. |
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| Length: 1 - 3 hours. |
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| Physical |
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| A round table discussion involved around meeting tightening requirements with the equipment and resources’ available, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety, and time management. |
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| Length: 1 - 3 hours. |
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| Chlorination (water/wastewater) |
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| What makes chlorine such a good disinfectant, and why it is used so extensively. The discussion will involve the advantages and disadvantages with chlorine gas, liquid, and solid. Also, determining the best form for your system will be discussed. You will learn feed techniques, preservation, and safety associated with chlorine. |
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| Length: 1 - 3 hours. |
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| De-chlorination (water/wastewater) |
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| This class is an overview of different chemicals and/or means used to de-chlorinate water and wastewater. It includes when and where you should use which type of chemical and the safety and environmental issues that need to be addressed. We will also discuss the need and methods to monitor the efficiency of the de-chlorination. |
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| Length: 1 - 2 hours. |
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| Alternate disinfection (water/wastewater) |
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| With the increasing concern about safety and environmental issues, chlorine alternatives are becoming more popular. Learn about each alternative available today and the best application for your system. Ultra-violet(UV), ozone, and other methods and/or chemicals will be addressed. |
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| Length: 1 - 2 hours. |
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| Wastewater treatment (wastewater) |
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| Lagoons |
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| Learn the basics for operation and maintenance for lagoon systems. We will discuss the warning signs of changes in treatment and overcoming the difficulties in dealing with the limited control. |
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| Length: 1 - 2 hours. |
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| Activated sludge |
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| What is activated sludge and why is it used so extensively? Learn about the process and why it is such an effective way to quickly treat large quantities of raw wastes. We will also discuss means of control both physical and biological. |
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| Length: 1 - 4 hours. |
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| Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs) |
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| This all-in-one tank activated sludge system covers much of the information discussed in the Activated Sludge class. We will also be discussing the addition control available and the special difficulties that may be encountered when dealing with low and high loadings in the influent. |
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| Length: 1 - 4 hours. |
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| Tertiary treatment |
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| So your permit has become more restrictive. This will be a breakdown covering what to add to your system to remove ammonia, nitrogen, phosphorous, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and the new temperature limitations being required in several parts of the country. |
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| Length: 1 - 2 hours. |
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| Water treatment (water) |
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| Slow sand filtration |
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| This discussion will involve the oldest form of water treatment. Its history, process overview, effectiveness, and regulations addressing is the focus of the class. Advantages and disadvantages as well as limitations that may be encountered will also be addressed. |
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| Length: 1 - 2 hours. |
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| Ion exchange |
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| Iron and Manganese removal are just a few applications that can be addressed by this means of treatment. We will discuss why ion exchange works and what are the advantages and disadvantages to this treatment as opposed to the oxidation/filtration method. |
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| Length: 1 - 2 hours. |
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| Coagulation/Filtration and/or Oxidation/Filtration |
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| Whether it be to join particles together (coagulation) or changing their atomic form (oxidation), much of the equipment and processes are the same. We will discuss the chemicals, equipment, and process for either and the steps involved with getting the best removal possible. |
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| Length: 1 - 3 hours. |
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| Membrane technology |
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| This class is an overview of the technology available involving ultra-filtration, nano-filtration, and reverse osmosis. With the increasing requirements placed on systems, many systems are changing over to this means of treatment. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages to membranes and adjustments needed for the water before being introduced into the distribution system. |
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| Length: 1 - 2 hours. |
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| Dewatering and thickening (wastewater) |
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| Excess water is money. Reduce cost associated with transportation and disposal of your solids by eliminating water. This class will provide an overview of gravity thickeners, Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) systems, gravity belts, presses, and centrifuges and the advantages and disadvantages of each. |
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| Length: 1 - 3 hours. |
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| Math for water operators (water) |
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| Math is one of most important tools to ensure proper operation of any water system. This class will brush up on the skills necessary to properly maintain a water treatment/distribution system. We will cover a basic math review with a focus on what will be needed to address dosing of chemicals, flushing rates, filter run times, and maintenance. |
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| Length: 2 - 4 hours. |
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| Math for wastewater operators (wastewater) |
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| Math is a requirement for the proper operation of any wastewater treatment plant. This class will brush up and enhance the skills needed for the proper operation of your treatment system. We will cover a basic math review with a focus on what is needed to determine loadings, detention times, chemical addition, and process control. |
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| Length: 2 - 4 hours. |
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| About The Programs & Presenter: |
| 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 attendees 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. |
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| Contact us for details.
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