Wastewater Treatment Microbiology

Saturday, October 18, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
1 day, 0.6 CEUs

Due to the level of hands-on activities in this workshop, space is limited to 30 participants and registrations are accepted on a first-come basis. Note that this workshop is repeated on Sunday, October 19 - See W208.

Understanding microorganisms and microbiological principles are key to understanding basic wastewater treatment.  This workshop involves a combination of lecture and hands-on activities to move participants toward that understanding. 

The objective of the workshop is to understand different types of microorganisms, how to identify those organisms, how they grow, and how they relate to actual wastewater treatment processes.  The morning discussion centers on the types of microorganisms and things that affect their growth.  It will also focus on use of equipment and techniques used to determine types of microorganisms.  The afternoon session involves use of filament identification software, bacterial staining techniques and use of the microscope to identify and count protozoa and metazoa, identify filaments and analyze bacterial flocs to estimate settling and clarification characteristics of the sludge.

Samples with known organisms will be used, but attendees are encouraged to bring a sample of mixed liquor to see what is in their sludge.  The sample should be about 10% mixed liquor or foam or scrapings and 90% air to maintain aerobic conditions.  Icing is not recommended since excessive cold seems to reduce the number of protozoa present.

Chair
Ronald Schuyler, Rothberg, Tamburini & Winsor

Co-Chair
Rich Weigand, West Virginia Environmental Training Center

Speakers
Enos Stover, Stover Group
Steve Leach, Novozymes Biologicals
Sharon Schuyler, Rothberg, Tamburini & Winsor