Description: The term “activated sludge” means nothing more than biological wastewater treatment provided by microorganisms suspended in wastewater by mixing and aeration systems. How the mixing and aeration take place along with tank configuration and influent wastewater feed can be very different. Sometimes people get lost in the various configurations and forget that at its core, treatment boils down to aerated microorganisms suspended in wastewater. The presentation will take an historic look at some of the common activated sludge treatment schemes – from early treatment to modern granular sludge treatment – always remembering the key component involves aerating and mixing microorganisms.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basics of activated sludge
• Understand how various activated sludge treatment schemes are similar and how they are different
• Understand how and why activated sludge processes have evolved from the 1920s to the present
• Gain a general understanding of how activated sludge processes are used to reduce biochemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, and phosphorus

Presenter: Mike Tate, PE; Project Associate; Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center

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:

• 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

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