Description: Warmer temperatures are often viewed as beneficial for wastewater lagoon performance, but extreme heat conditions can create a complex set of challenges that affect biological treatment and regulatory compliance. This one-hour webinar will explore how seasonal temperature changes influence biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal, dissolved oxygen availability, nitrification, algae growth, and overall lagoon treatment efficiency.

Participants will gain a practical understanding of how microbial populations respond to warming lagoon temperatures and why some lagoon systems continue to experience elevated BOD levels despite favorable summer conditions. The webinar will also examine dissolved oxygen limitations, hydraulic retention time, short-circuiting, aeration strategies, and operational approaches to improving lagoon performance.

Designed specifically for wastewater operators and managers, this session will provide practical examples and troubleshooting techniques to identify treatment bottlenecks and improve lagoon operations during the warmest months of the year.

Learning Objectives:

Following this webinar, attendees will be able to:

• Explain how temperature affects BOD removal, dissolved oxygen levels, and overall lagoon treatment performance
• Describe the role of heterotrophic and nitrifying bacteria in wastewater lagoon treatment
• Identify common causes of elevated BOD and ammonia concentrations during summer operations
• Evaluate lagoon hydraulic retention time and recognize signs of short-circuiting
• Assess the impacts of dissolved oxygen limitations on biological treatment processes
• Implement operational strategies to improve treatment efficiency through aeration, flow management, and baffling
• Recognize the relationship between algae blooms, TSS, and BOD compliance challenges
• Apply practical troubleshooting approaches to improve lagoon performance and protect permit compliance

Presenter: Dr. Jason R. Barrett, Extension Professor and Director of the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute at Mississippi State University

Certificate: This webinar has NOT been submitted for approval of continuing education credit. We can provide a certificate of attendance to eligible attendees, but cannot guarantee it will meet your PDH or CEU requirements.

Who Should Attend: 

• Licensed wastewater operators responsible for lagoon systems
• Operators of small, rural, and decentralized wastewater systems
• Utility managers and supervisors overseeing lagoon-based treatment facilities
• Municipal and public works personnel responsible for wastewater operations
• Technical assistance providers and wastewater consultants
• Operators experiencing BOD, TSS, dissolved oxygen, algae, or ammonia treatment challenges
• New and experienced lagoon operators seeking a deeper understanding of biological treatment processes

Partner: