NC Online Training | Basic Wastewater Math and Understanding Permit Parameters
Description: This training will provide wastewater operators with a practical review of the basic mathematics used in the operation, monitoring, and reporting of wastewater treatment systems. Participants will review common units of measurement, conversions, formulas, and calculation methods used to evaluate flow, treatment performance, pollutant loading, and permit compliance.
The session will connect these calculations to common wastewater system parameters, including flow, pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, fecal coliform, and chlorine residual. Examples and practice problems will demonstrate how operators can use monitoring data to calculate averages, determine treatment efficiency, interpret laboratory results, and identify potential operational or compliance concerns. The training will also provide an overview of the purpose of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit and the importance of accurate calculations, monitoring, and reporting in protecting receiving waters.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this training, participants should be able to:
- Identify common mathematical terms, formulas, units, and conversions used in wastewater treatment.
- Complete basic calculations involving wastewater flow, concentration, loading, and treatment efficiency.
- Calculate and interpret daily, weekly, and monthly averages.
- Explain the purpose and importance of common wastewater permit parameters.
- Use monitoring and laboratory data to evaluate treatment system performance.
- Recognize how calculation or reporting errors may affect permit compliance and receiving-water quality.
Trainer: Dr. Jason Barrett, Director and Extension Professor, Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute, Mississippi State University
Continuing Education Credits: This training is currently pending approval of continuing education credits, although we cannot guarantee it. Regardless, we will provide each attendee with a Certificate of Attendance for their personal record.
Who Should Attend:
- Managers, owners, and operators of wastewater systems with an average daily flow of less than 1 million gallons
- Decision-makers for wastewater utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
- Consultants and technical assistance providers serving wastewater systems
Partner:
Organizer
Program Associate at the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center