Water Treatment Process and Water Operations: Complete 5-Day Professional Training

Course Overview

The Water Treatment Process and Water Operations training course is a comprehensive 5-day program that bridges theoretical knowledge with practical operational excellence in drinking water treatment facilities. This intermediate-level course integrates process engineering principles with day-to-day operational management, equipment maintenance, and performance optimization strategies. Designed for operators, supervisors, and technical staff, this training delivers actionable knowledge to improve plant efficiency, water quality, regulatory compliance, and operational reliability across municipal and industrial water treatment systems.

Target Audience for Water Treatment Operations Training

• Water treatment plant operators (all certification levels)

• Operations supervisors and plant managers

• Process engineers and technical consultants

• Maintenance technicians and mechanics

• Water utility operations staff

• Industrial water treatment specialists

• Quality control and laboratory personnel

• Municipal water department supervisors

• Facilities managers overseeing water systems

• Environmental compliance coordinators

Day 1: Raw Water Management & Pre-Treatment Operations

Morning Session: Source Water Assessment & Intake Operations

Foundation for Treatment Success:
Effective water treatment begins with understanding raw water characteristics and proper intake management to ensure consistent, quality source water delivery.

Essential Topics:

• Surface water vs. groundwater source characteristics

• Seasonal water quality variations and treatment implications

• Raw water monitoring programs and sampling strategies

• Intake structure types: submerged, floating, infiltration galleries

• Screen systems: traveling screens, bar screens, fine screens

• Intake maintenance and biofouling control strategies

• Zebra mussel and invasive species management

• Intake velocity optimization to prevent fish impingement

• Emergency source water switching procedures

Afternoon Session: Pre-Treatment & Chemical Storage

Process Preparation:

• Pre-oxidation applications: chlorine, potassium permanganate

• Pre-sedimentation basin operations for high-turbidity events

• Algae and taste/odor management with oxidants

• Chemical storage facility design and safety requirements

• Bulk chemical delivery procedures and inventory management

• Secondary containment and spill prevention measures

• Chemical feed system types: gas, liquid, dry feeders

• Calibration procedures for accurate chemical dosing

• Material compatibility and corrosion considerations

Practical Exercise: Chemical feed system calibration calculations and dosage adjustments based on water quality variations

Day 2: Coagulation, Flocculation & Sedimentation Operations

Morning Session: Optimizing Coagulation Processes

Chemical Treatment Excellence:

• Understanding colloid chemistry and particle destabilization

• Coagulant selection: alum, ferric chloride, polyaluminum chloride

• Jar testing methodology and interpreting results

• Optimum pH determination for effective coagulation

• Polymer selection and application as coagulant aids

• Rapid mix design: detention time and mixing intensity

• Flash mixing troubleshooting and optimization

• Seasonal coagulant dose adjustments

• Alkalinity management and pH control strategies

• Chemical cost optimization without compromising performance

Afternoon Session: Flocculation & Clarification Excellence

Particle Aggregation and Removal:

• Flocculation theory: collision frequency and particle growth

• Tapered flocculation and energy dissipation

• Mechanical flocculators: paddles, turbines, hydraulic

• Variable frequency drives (VFD) for process control

• Sedimentation basin configurations and hydraulics

• Rectangular clarifiers: sludge scraper operations

• Circular clarifiers: center-feed vs. peripheral-feed designs

• Solids-contact clarifiers and sludge blanket management

• Plate settlers and lamella clarifier advantages

• Clarifier performance monitoring and optimization

• Sludge withdrawal strategies and disposal options

Case Study Analysis: Troubleshooting poor settling, carryover, and short-circuiting problems with real-world operational solutions

Day 3: Filtration Systems & Media Management

Morning Session: Rapid Gravity Filtration Operations

Critical Barrier Performance:

• Filtration mechanisms: physical straining and biological activity

• Filter media specifications: effective size, uniformity coefficient

• Single, dual, and multimedia filter configurations

• Filtration rate selection and hydraulic loading

• Filter operation modes: declining rate, constant rate, variable declining rate

• Head loss development and mudball formation

• Turbidity monitoring and filter performance assessment

• Filter ripening phase and filter-to-waste operations

• Terminal head loss and filter run optimization

• Individual filter performance vs. battery performance

Afternoon Session: Backwashing & Media Maintenance

Maintaining Filter Effectiveness:

• Backwash hydraulics: fluidization velocity and bed expansion

• Backwash rate, duration, and sequence optimization

• Surface wash and air scour systems

• Backwash water quality and recycling considerations

• Filter media inspection procedures and frequency

• Media sampling and sieve analysis testing

• Mudballs, media loss, and cracking problems

• Media replacement: removal, cleaning, and installation

• Underdrain system types and maintenance requirements

• Backwash pump operations and valve sequencing

• Energy efficiency in filter operations

Hands-On Workshop: Filter performance data analysis, calculating unit filter run volume (UFRV), and developing backwash optimization strategies

Day 4: Disinfection, Storage & Distribution Integration

Morning Session: Multi-Barrier Disinfection Approach

Public Health Protection:

• Primary disinfection: chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite, on-site generation

• CT (concentration × time) calculations and compliance

• Chlorine contact basin design and baffling effectiveness

• Tracer studies for evaluating hydraulic efficiency

• Disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation and minimization

• Secondary disinfection for distribution system residual

• Chloramination: formation, benefits, and operational challenges

• Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems and validation

• UV intensity monitoring and lamp replacement scheduling

• Ozone disinfection and advanced oxidation applications

• Residual monitoring locations and frequency

Afternoon Session: Clearwell Storage & Distribution Operations

System-Wide Water Quality:

• Finished water storage: ground-level tanks, elevated tanks, standpipes

• Storage volume calculations: operational, fire flow, emergency

• Storage tank mixing and stratification prevention

• Water age management and turnover requirements

• Pressure zone design and booster pump station operations

• Distribution system hydraulic modeling applications

• Cross-connection control and backflow prevention programs

• Unidirectional flushing programs and procedures

• Dead-end elimination and system looping strategies

• Distribution system water quality monitoring programs

• Handling customer complaints: discolored water, taste/odor

Field Discussion: Distribution system operation strategies, valve exercising programs, and hydrant maintenance scheduling

Day 5: Advanced Operations, Automation & Performance Management

Morning Session: Process Control & SCADA Systems

Modern Operational Technology:

• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) fundamentals

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) in water treatment

• Process instrumentation: flow meters, pressure transmitters, analyzers

• Turbidity analyzers: maintenance and calibration

• Online chlorine residual analyzers and verification

• pH and ORP sensors: installation and calibration

• Automated process control loops and setpoints

• Alarm management and response procedures

• Data logging, trending, and performance analytics

• Remote monitoring and mobile applications

• Cybersecurity considerations for water systems

Afternoon Session: Laboratory Operations & Quality Assurance

Analytical Support for Operations:

• On-site laboratory testing requirements and capabilities

• Standard Methods and approved analytical procedures

• Turbidimeter calibration and verification

• Chlorine residual testing: DPD, amperometric titration

• Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) and coliform sampling

• Chain of custody and sample preservation requirements

• Quality control: blanks, duplicates, spikes, standards

• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

• Proficiency testing (PT) programs and performance evaluation

• Correlating laboratory data with process performance

Advanced Topics: Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

Performance Optimization:

• Key performance indicators (KPIs) for water treatment

• Energy management and power cost reduction strategies

• Chemical usage optimization and cost control

• Preventive maintenance programs for critical equipment

• Asset management principles and lifecycle costing

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) development

• Operator training programs and competency assessment

• Safety culture development and incident prevention

• Emergency preparedness and business continuity planning

• Regulatory inspections: preparation and response

• Benchmarking performance against industry standards

Management Workshop: Developing operational dashboards, setting performance targets, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives

Comprehensive Course Materials & Learning Resources

Complete Training Package:

• Water Treatment Process Operations manual (400+ pages)

• Process flow diagrams and equipment schematics

• Operational calculation worksheets and examples

• Troubleshooting guides for common operational problems

• Equipment maintenance checklists and schedules

• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) templates

• Regulatory compliance reference guide

• Water quality parameter quick reference cards

• Chemical properties and safety data compilation

Hands-On Learning Components:

• Process calculations and optimization exercises

• Equipment demonstrations and operational simulations

• Water quality testing and instrumentation calibration

• SCADA system interface navigation

• Troubleshooting scenario problem-solving

• Group discussions on operational challenges

• Best practice sharing among participants

Key Learning Outcomes:
Participants will successfully:

• Operate all major water treatment unit processes effectively

• Optimize chemical dosing for cost and performance

• Troubleshoot operational problems systematically

• Interpret water quality data and adjust processes accordingly

• Maintain critical equipment according to best practices

• Utilize SCADA systems for process monitoring and control

• Implement energy efficiency and cost reduction strategies

• Ensure regulatory compliance and documentation

• Apply safety protocols and emergency response procedures

• Develop standard operating procedures for consistency

Professional Development Value:

• Continuing education units (CEUs) for operator certification renewal

• Applicable toward operator advancement and career progression

• Networking opportunities with water industry professionals

• Access to instructor expertise for post-course consultation

• Certificate of completion for professional portfolio

Instructional Methodology:
Interactive learning combining classroom instruction, hands-on exercises, facility tours (when available), equipment demonstrations, case study analysis, group problem-solving, video presentations, and knowledge assessment activities.

Enroll in Water Treatment Process and Water Operations training and elevate your operational capabilities to deliver consistently high-quality drinking water while optimizing efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring regulatory compliance. This comprehensive course transforms good operators into exceptional water treatment professionals.