This course is part of ASCE's NEW Water Treatment Certificate Program.

INSTRUCTOR: Lee H. Odell, P.E., M.ASCE                   

This course provides a thorough understanding of the major unit processes used in water treatment, including chemical, physical, and biological processes. Chemical processes include a discussion on water quality parameters and classifications of water. Students will learn about chemical reactions in water, the kinetics of the reactions, and how to balance reactions. Topics such as oxidation and reduction chemistry, acids and bases, and major chemical systems like the carbonate system are also described. The course also reviews water treatment applications like coagulation, oxidation, disinfection, and corrosion control.

The physical processes discussion covers particle separation techniques such as mixing, settling, media filtration, and membranes. The discussion on biological treatment processes will describe how to reduced organic matter, disinfection byproducts, iron, manganese, nitrate and ammonia, sulfide, chlorate, perchlorate and selenium. You will discover how water utilities are incorporating biological processes into their water treatment plants.  The course also describes chemical, physical, and biological processes that occur in the water distribution system.

Several case studies throughout the course will illustrate how water utilities are incorporating multiple chemical, physical, and biological treatment processes into their water treatment plants. The course models the performance of the unit processes. At the conclusion of the course, students will have a thorough understanding of the theory of the processes, as well as the real world application of each unit process. 

This course is one of ASCE's new Guided Online Courses that are highly interactive, instructor-led programs in which learners move through a 12-week learning experience with their peers.  The content includes video lectures, interactive exercises, case studies, and weekly discussion topics to help master the course material. Unlimited 24/7 accessibility to weekly modules. 

View the course outline and learn more about how these courses work.