Wastewater Biology Course Series

[Posting]

Penn State Wastewater Biology Courses
1996 Schedule
Los Angeles, California	February 26­27
Harrisonburg, Virginia	March 11­13
Ottawa, Ontario	March 25­26
Toronto, Ontario	April 8­9
State College, Pennsylvania	April 29­May 1
Steven¹s Point, Wisconsin	May 6­7
Buffalo, New York	May 20­21
Chicago, Illinois	June 3­4
Denver, Colorado	June 27­28

Proven methods to:
‹learn biological troubleshooting techniques,
‹improve process monitoring and process control techniques, and
‹earn contact hours and Penn State continuing education credits (CEUs) 
for operator training and certification. 

a continuing and distance education service of the College of 
Engineering

Penn State Excellence Nationwide
Penn State¹s Wastewater Biology Series for 1996 is in its third 
successful year of national delivery. In addition to the 
engineering/chemical approach examined in the traditional operator 
training courses, this series presents a biological approach to 
wastewater operation. It emphasizes the use of microbiological and 
microscopic techniques to correlate operational and environmental 
conditions with plant performance or upset conditions. The courses have 
the potential to save time and money by assisting operator training and 
certification testing. And, you will receive a comprehensive text that 
can be used as an operational reference manual.

For whom
The courses are designed for operators, technicians, and engineers 
involved in the daily operation, process control, and troubleshooting of 
wastewater treatment processes, especially the activated sludge process. 

Note: A formal background in biology, chemistry, or engineering is not 
required and the courses do not require a prerequisite. You may register 
for any combination of the courses, as the sessions are not  sequential.

Courses in the Series
ACTIVATED SLUDGE (7 hours)	$195
This course addresses several critical components of the treatment 
process. Floc formation reviews the types of floc particles and the 
changes that affect floc formation. It addresses the role of nitrogen 
and phosphorus in the treatment process. Toxicity by heavy metals 
includes a case study of the impact of toxicity upon protozoa and floc 
particles. Nitrification and denitrification review the causes and 
control of these biological  processes. An introduction to 
bioaugmentation reviews the concepts and costs associated with the 
addition of bacteria to the treatment process.

The Microlife (7 hours)	$195
The Microlife reviews the significant organisms that inhabit the 
activated sludge process, and their positive and negative roles 
performed in the stabilization of wastewaters and sludges. It also 
presents the environmental or operational factors that promote or 
control the growth of these organisms. Organisms reviewed include: 
actino-mycetes (Nocardia spp. and related genera), protozoa, rotifers, 
free-living nematodes, water bears, flatworms, and filamentous organisms 
(introduction, control, and identification).

Microscopy Workshop (Laboratory Session) (7 hours)	$195
The Microscopy Workshop is a hands-on laboratory session designed to 
acquaint operators, technicians, and engineers with bright-field and 
phase-contrast microscopic techniques used to evaluate operational and 
plant-upset conditions. Laboratory exercises include the use and care of 
the microscope, sampling techniques, and slide preparation and staining 
techniques. The workshop reviews the identification and enumeration 
measures for filamentous organisms, protozoa, free-living nematodes, and 
rotifers. In addition, floc particles and dispersed growth are examined 
and evaluated. Activated sludge and foam samples are provided and used 
in the workshop. Participants are encouraged to bring their own samples.

Nitrification: Activated Sludge Biological Process Control (3 hours)	$85
This course is a comprehensive review of the nitrification process. 
Included in the review is a presentation of the nitrifying bacteria and 
environmental and operational factors affecting their growth and the 
rate of nitrification. Also reviewed are complete and partial 
nitrification and loss of nitrification. Preventative and corrective 
measures to maintain nitrification during cold wastewater temperatures 
are presented, as well as cost-effective and process- control measures.

Parasites & Pathogens (4 hours)	$110
This course reviews the significant disease agents found in wastewaters, 
sludges, and treatment processes which present actual of potential 
health risks to wastewater personnel. Disease agents reviewed include 
viruses, parasitic protozoa and worms, and pathogenic bacteria and 
fungi, including HIV (viral), Hepatitis A (viral), Leptospira spp. 
(bacterial), Aspergillus spp. (fungal), and Giardia lamblia (protozoan). 
Also covered in this course are the transmission of diseases, hygiene 
measures, immunizations, and the control of rodents in conveyance 
systems.

Settleability & Loss of Solids: Activated Sludge Biological Process 
Control (4 hours)	$110
A review of the causes, prevention, and control of those operational 
conditions contributing to the loss of solids and solids compaction in 
the activated sludge process. Conditions reviewed include filamentous 
organism bulking, nutrient deficiency, denitrification, foaming, hydrous 
or colloidal floc, shearing action, low dissolved oxygen, increase in 
MLVSS, temperature, and many others.

Sludge Dewatering (4 hours)	$110
This course examines the use of polymers and coagulants for sludge 
dewatering by belt filter presses, centrifuges, and plate-and 
frame-presses. Operational troubleshooting and process control measures 
for sludge dewatering are reviewed. Those measures affecting polymer 
chemistry and sludge dewatering performance that are examined include 
equipment, troubleshooting, polymerstock solutions, polymer testing, 
potassium permanganate, septicity, and types of sludges and changes in 
sludge characteristics.

About the Instructor
Michael H. Gerardi, M.S. biology, James Madison University, and 
currently a research project associate at Penn State, is responsible for 
the development and presentation of wastewater biology courses. 
Previous to this appointment, he served as technical coordinator and 
manager for the Williamsport (Pennsylvania) Sanitary Authority, where he 
was responsible for the operational and administrative functions of two 
activated sludge plants.

In addition to his responsibilities with Penn State, Mr. Gerardi is an 
instructor for the Pennsylvania College of Technology and is currently 
chairing the Water Environment Federation Task Force developing four 
special publications‹Wastewater Biology: The Microlife, Wastewater 
Biology: The Life Processes, Wastewater Biology: The Habitats, and 
Wastewater Biology: Monitoring the Microlife. He has authored over 
seventy technical publications and has provided wastewater microscopy 
and consulting services for numerous municipal and industrial wastewater 
treatment plants.

For More Information
About course content
MICHAEL H. GERARDI, Office of Program Planning
The Pennsylvania State University
2766 West College Avenue
University Park  PA 16801-2647
phone (814) 865-7679

About registration
Nancy McCord, Conference Planner
The Pennsylvania State University
Edward Building
University Park  PA  16801-2765
phone (814) 863-1738
fax (814) 865-3749
e-mail nam5 at cde.psu.edu

Visit our WWW site: http://www.cde.psu.edu/C&I/Wastewater_Biology.html