Wastewater Treatment Operations

Certificate

Course Details

Course Code	SG_SWAST_E06
Level	6
Duration	2 years
Credits	60
Method of Delivery	Online
Campus Locations	Sligo
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

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Course Overview

This course will prepare participants with the knowledge, skills and competencies required for success in operation of water treatment plants. It will also provide formal certification to operatives in this area.

In Stage 1, the focus is on developing a greater understanding of the Water Industry in Ireland.

In Stage 2, the focus is on Wastewater sector specific specialist topics.

Course Details

Year 1

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	ICT and Transferable Skills The module aims to provide students with fundamental skills for effective and professional communication (written and verbal) in the workplace. It also deals with the effective us of Information Technology in the implementation of these skills. It will cover the use of software packages for word processing, spreadsheet creation and the production of presentations. The students will be also be given an introduction to Computer Systems. The meaning of plagiarism and peer reviewed information will be explained to students. The importance of teamwork, leadership and conflict management will be discussed. Learning Outcomes 1. Identify the main component parts and peripheral devices of a standard computer system 2. Create documentation using Word processing software incorporating a range of data management and editing techniques including a business letter, email and a short technical report. 3. Compile and edit data sets using Spreadsheet software including the use of functions and formulae, chart construction and object linking. 4. Participate as part of a team to create and deliver a professional oral presentation using relevant software. 5. Explain the meaning of peer reviewed information, plagiarism and the Harvard Referencing System.	05	Mandatory
1	Water and Wastewater Science Module This module deals with selected aspects of Water and Wastewater Science that are relevant to Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants. This module will introduce the importance of water, it sources, its uses, the quality of water, the sources and types of water pollution, how it is measured and how these measurements are interpreted. It forms the foundation module for all modules in 2nd, 3rd and 4th semester modules. Learning Outcomes 1. Name, explain and apply the various basic concepts of Water and Wastewater . 2. Distinguish sources, uses and quality of Water and Wastewater. 3. Identify sources and types of pollution. 4. Interpret scientific measurements and results.	05	Mandatory
1	Health and Safety for Treatment Plant Operators This module will give treatment plant operator students a foundation in occupational safety and health, including an introduction to: health and safety legislation; hazard identification and risk assessment; common workplace and job specific hazards & control measures; safe systems of work; site safety inductions; accident and incident reporting; emergency planning; training; and personal protective equipment. Learning Outcomes 1. Identify the main pieces of Irish health & safety legislation and describe important components within (e.g. Employers Duties and Employees Duties). 2. Conduct a hazard identification & risk assessment of a specific workplace activity. 3. Identify a variety of common workplace hazards (e.g. fire; electricity; machinery; chemicals; biological agents; manual handling; work at heights; noise; occupational health hazards; psychosocial hazards; etc) and job specific hazards (e.g. lone working; drowning; confined space entry; explosive atmospheres;aerosols; flocculants; chlorine; asbestos;pressurevessels;road works;livestock; Weils disease; Hepatitis A; etc) and the appropriate workplace control measures to be applied. 4. Outline Safe Systems of Work (e.g. Method Statements; Permit to Work Systems, Lock Out/Tag Out, Traffic Management Plans, etc) to be applied within the workplace. 5. Identify specific workplace requirements for Site Safety Inductions; Accident & Incident reporting; Emergency Planning; Training; and Personal Protective Equipment.	05	Mandatory
2	Energy Management This module will familiarise students with the fundamentals of thermal, electrical, chemical and mechanical energy systems and how energy transitions between these systems. The module will then explore the various ways of metering and recording these energy transfers and their associated metric, US and imperial units. As motors & pumping systems are particularly relevant – the operation and management of these will be explored in detail along the principles of power factor and power factor correction. The principles of energy management and energy management systems will be examined, particularly in the context of Irish Water. Learning Outcomes 1. Quantify different energy types in appropriate units 2. Describe the various forms of energy (mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical etc) and common conversion processes between them (kinetic to electric, etc). 3. Describe the operation of an AC induction motor and a simple pumping system and perform calculations based on the Affinity laws of pumping systems. 4. Discuss the hierarchical principles of energy management. 5. Conduct a brief energy survey highlighting potential for improved energy management in a practical scenario. 6. Write report in relation to this survey suggesting improved future practice based on the principles of energy management.	05	Mandatory
2	Law and Compliance This introduction to law and legislative approaches provides the basic framework in which participants can understand the application of environmental law within Ireland. The role of the European Union and the Irish legislature in the formation of national environmental legislation is examined, as is the role and responsibilities of environmental enforcement agencies. The aim is to provide a sense of how the overall regulatory system operates and might affect an organisation, and how it can be used to protect the environment. The importance of environmental compliance is also explored. A contextual overview of existing Irish environmental legislation is provided with more detailed attention to more salient instruments. Learning Outcomes 1. Give an overview the Irish and EU legislative system, sources of legislation and list and explain key terms and definitions associated with environmental regulation 2. Outline the environmental legal and regulatory framework and functions of the key bodies and identify the role(s) that the public can have 3. List the main pertinent Irish environmental statutes and outline the main provisions of each 4. Explain the practical implications of Irish environmental legislation on operations in an organisation 5. Communicate information regarding environmental regulation and compliance in a manner appropriate to an audience of peers	05	Mandatory
2	Networks Flow Measurement and Control This module introduces flow concepts used for the design of water supply and drainage systems. The module will also examine issues relating to the maintenance and management of waste water drainage systems and water distribution networks. Learning Outcomes 1. Define and manipulate the theoretical concepts which underline basic fluid properties. 2. Identify and understand the components of water supply systems and foul water drainage networks. 3. Understand the conceptsand techniques associated withwater supply system maintenance and management. 4. Understand the concepts and techniques associated with foul and mixed sewer drainage systems maintenance and management. 5. Complete a case study project on improving a waste water drainage network or water supply network in your care.	05	Mandatory

Year 2

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Wastewater Treatment This module introduces the learner to the key principles, concepts and systems that relate to municipal wastewater treatment processes, and provides an overview of wastewater characteristics, quantities, flow variation and treatment options for various population equivalents. It also includes an introduction to wastewater sampling and testing, and plant operation and monitoring. The module also highlights the potential contribution of wastewater discharges to the pollution of receiving water bodies. In addition, this module informs the learner of the function and design criteria of secondary biological wastewater treatment. The module describes the micro-organisms that mediate the transformation of typical water pollutants and how they may be used in different plant configurations to reduce the pollutant load associated with municipal wastewater. This module will also explore the factors that influence the growth and behaviour of these micro-organisms together with the importance of monitoring key parameters within the system to minimise operational problems and optimise treatment efficiency. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate current knowledge of the characteristics, concentrations and varying quantities of wastewater influent from various population equivalents to municipal wastewater treatment plants. 2. Report effectively on the typical systems, processes, stages and options suitable for the treatment of wastewater collected from municipal sources for various population equivalents, including the ability to explain the function and design criteria of biological secondary treatment processes. 3. Describe and perform sampling, testing, and monitoring protocols relating to the efficient and sustainable operation of a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Identify and differentiate between the different micro-organisms responsible for biological wastewater treatmentand understand the factors that influence their growth and behaviour. 4. Be familiar with and differentiate between key terms and abbreviations used in secondary wastewater treatment. 5. Perform calculations necessary for efficient plant operation and differentiate between different measurement units. Interpret results from the monitoring of a waste water treatment plant and recommend corrective action to remedy operational problems 6. Appreciate the potential impact of wastewater discharges on receiving water quality and to meet compliance requirements, and understand thelicencing and certification and authorisation process for public and private wastewater treatment plants. 7. Determine methods of optimising and enhancing treatment plant performance to meet effluent discharge limits and achieve sustainable operation.	10	Mandatory
1	Preliminary and Primary Wastewater Treatment Preliminary and Primary Wastewater Treatment. Learning Outcomes 1. Define and interpret the scientific and engineering concepts as they relate to sewer systems and preliminary and primary wastewater treatment systems. 2. Select and evaluate a range of laboratory experimental tests and design techniques, critically report on the findings 3. Analyse and Design various methods of dealing with storm overflow strategies 4. Understand and categorise sewage, storm water and industrial effluents 5. Appraise techniques in the removal of Fats, Oils and Grease from effluent	05	Mandatory
2	Wastewater Sludge Treatment This module explains the nature, sources, characteristics and nuisance issues associated with wastewater sludges and biosolids; the importance of the reduction of moisture content and volatile solids content; the various processes used to treat and dewater sludge, and the legal and technical requirements to convert wastewater sludge to biosolids and to recycle biosolids to land. The module also explains the practical issues arising in relation to the operation, maintenance and monitoring of sludge thickening, treatment and dewatering facilities. Learning Outcomes 1. List and describe the critical characteristics of biosolids and wastewater sludges from various sources. 2. Estimate the mass and volumes of sludge generated by various wastewater treatment processes 3. Explain why chemicals are used to assist in the thickening and dewatering of sludges and how these processes should be operated and monitored 4. Discuss the critical features of a range of sludge dewatering and sludge treatment technologies 5. Demonstrate how sludge facilities should be operated, monitored, trouble-shooted and managed to achieve legal, environmental and economic objectives.	05	Mandatory
2	Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance This module will provide the learner with the essential practical skills and knowledge relating to wastewater treatment plant process operation, maintenance schedules, and pumping, motor and electrical aspects of plant systems. The module shall also address chemical storage, dosing and overall safety issues for wastewater treatment plant processes. Learning Outcomes 1. Identify and describe the key wastewater treatment plant maintenance and operational processes. 2. Compile and apply maintenance schedules appropriate to municipal wastewater treatment plant processes and efficient plant operation. 3. Apply knowledge of motor, drive and pump operation and potential electrical, mechanical and pumping issues to prevent and solve operational problems with wastewater treatment plant process equipment and develop good maintenance practices. 4. Outline and explain the key characteristics and application of key safety systems relating towastewater treatment plant processes, maintenance, chemical dosing and other operational practices. 5. Have knowledge of current asset management approaches to wastewater services maintenance and investment plans and be able to appreciate the use of technology readiness level fornew and emerging technologies for plant equipment upgrades or replacement.	05	Mandatory
2	Advanced Wastewater Treatment This module explains the fundamental characteristics and operational processes for a range of advanced wastewater treatment processes for the additional removal of organic material, suspended solids and nutrients compared to conventional systems. Topics covered include replacement/upgrading of existing systems to address more stringent effluent requirements and/or drive greater efficiencies, the use of chemicals to remove phosphorus, enhanced biological removal of phosphorus and/or nitrogen, moving bed biofilm reactors, filtration, membrane, adsorption and advanced oxidation technologies. Learning Outcomes 1. Describe the range of advanced wastewater treatment processes and explain where and when they can be used effectively and efficiently 2. Illustrate how various enhanced biological systems for the reduction/removal of phosphorus and/or nitrogen can be integrated with conventional wastewater treatment systems 3. Outline how inorganic coagulants are used to remove phosphorus from wastewater, compute appropriate doses and explain how the system should be operated and monitored 4. Illustrate how tertiary filtration systems operate and explain how the system should be operated and monitored 5. Discuss how advanced wastewater treatment systems should be operated, monitored, trouble-shooted and managed to achieve legal, environmental and economic objectives.	05	Mandatory

Recommended Study Hours per week

Students can expect 3-4 hours of lectures and 6-7 hours self-directed learning per week.

Examination and Assessment

The modules on this programme are assessed through a mix of continuous assessment and final exams.
Note: Where assessment on the programme involves examinations, these are held on campus or at another exam venue in the Republic of Ireland. There are typically two exam periods: January and May. Times scheduled for examinations (face to face / online exams ) are in GMT.
Students who are resident overseas and those with extenuating circumstances may apply to take examinations online with an external online invigilation service (online proctored exams), where this is available. Places are limited for this service.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

2 full day workshops per semester at the Sligo Campus.
Note: Check programme Examination and Assessment requirements, as they may involve examinations to be taken on campus.

Progression

Students who wish to continue their studies following completion of this programme can complete a further 60 credits by way of (a) a 30 Credit Work Based Project Module and (b) 30 credits of modules not already undertaken from the Certificate in Drinking Water Treatment Operations. On completion of these additional 60 Credits (120 Credits in total will then be held) students will be entitled to the award of a Higher Certificate in Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations and can apply to progress to our Level 7 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management. Please contact admissions.sligo@atu.ie for details on application process.

Download a prospectus

Undergraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

A Level 5 qualification (e.g. leaving certificate) or equivalent is required for entry to this programme.

Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligos Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions/credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal.

Fees

Total Fees EU: €4800

Further information on fees

Careers

Graduates will be qualified to work in Wastewater Treatment Plants as operators to the expected industry standard. This qualification may become the standard that the major operators in the Water Industry in Ireland will come to expect from their operators.The treatment of Waste Water occurs in a variety of sectors. Treatment plants not only exist for the processing of public waste water but are located in industries such as Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture and Food processing forming an integral part of their manufacturing systems.

Further Information

Who Should Apply?

This programme is suitable for existing water and wastewater plant operators and managers in local authorities, Irish Water/Uisce Éireann and private sector water organisations as well as those looking to work in this area in the future.