Higher Level Wastewater Treatment Technology

Learning targets

If you work in wastewater treatment, you know that the techniques in this field are constantly evolving. This is due to increasingly stringent effluent requirements and the goal of achieving the lowest possible operating costs with the highest possible treatment efficiency. How do you go from a wastewater challenge to an optimally functioning treatment plant, taking into account operational values and future developments?

In the Higher Level Wastewater Treatment Technology course, you will gain insights into new developments and what they mean for precise design and management. We challenge you to analyze and assess complex problems that may arise in both existing and new installations.

Which solutions do you choose for which problem? And how do you apply them? After completing the Higher Wastewater Treatment Technology course, these questions will no longer be an issue for you, and you will be equipped to effectively address practical challenges.

The following topics will be covered: 

• treatment process and treatment techniques
• program of requirements for new construction or expansion
• system selection
• sizing designs
• project approach and cost overview
• starting up and testing a treatment plant
• process control
• asset management
• bottlenecks
• troubleshooting for water and sludge

Upon completing this course, you will have the following knowledge & skills: 

• analyzing and assessing complex problems
• weighing different solutions, selecting the best one, and implementing it
• submitting a proposal to improve your treatment plant
• formulating expert advice for your client

Program

Module 1: The Treatment Process

You will learn the overarching concept of the treatment system: what does an optimal treatment plant look like, and which processes are involved?

Topics: 

• structure of a treatment plant
• process diagrams, treatment principles, and key figures
• the water line
• the sludge line
• post-treatment

Module 2: Design, Management, and Troubleshooting

What steps should you follow to improve existing and new installations?

Topics: 

• project approach
• program of requirements
• costs
• system selection
• sizing and design
• technical aspects (electrical, civil, automation)
• energy
• starting up and testing
• process control
• asset management
• bottlenecks in biological wastewater treatment plants (AWZI)
• troubleshooting for water and sludge

Module 3: Presentation and Group Assignment

It doesn’t get more practical than this: you will bring a problem from your own work situation and work on it as a group—from question to implementation. You will create a project plan, discuss progress with your mentor, present the results, and write a reflection report focusing on your learning moments.

At World Water Academy, everything revolves around both knowledge and putting that knowledge into practice. Therefore, we expect each participant to bring their own work experience to the course. What challenges are you facing? And what experiences can you share so that others can learn from them?

Target group

The Higher Wastewater Treatment Technology course is intended for professionals working as wastewater and process technologists, as well as advisors and staff involved in the renovation, design, and construction of new treatment plants. Are you dealing with modifications or upgrades to your treatment plant? Or do you want to work as an expert advisor? Then this is the course for you!

Entry Level

You should have a background in higher vocational education, university of applied sciences degree (HBO) or university (WO). Additionally, we expect that you have completed the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technology course with a final grade of 7.5 or higher. You should also have at least 5 years of work experience in (waste)water treatment. If you do not fully meet these requirements, the coordinator will contact you after registration to discuss what is needed for you to successfully complete the course.