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Introduction to Wastewater Treatment

Overview

This 3-day course introduces the essential principles of wastewater treatment, beginning with the characterization of wastewater and its sources. Participants will gain insight into treatment objectives, regulatory requirements, and the key process units of municipal treatment systems. The course also highlights the role of decentralized treatment technologies and guides learners through the steps of compiling a Wastewater Risk Abatement Plan (W2RAP). Practical application is emphasized through operational guidance, troubleshooting techniques, and case study discussions.

Why Should an Individual Attend?

  • Understand the nature and complexity of wastewater, including its sources, constituents, and how they influence treatment design.
  • Navigate key regulations confidently, from national legislation to Green Drop Certification requirements.
  • Gain practical knowledge of treatment units, including both conventional and advanced processes used in municipal systems.
  • Explore decentralized solutions, and how small-scale systems contribute to sanitation access and environmental protection.
  • Learn to compile and apply a Wastewater Risk Abatement Plan (W2RAP) to manage risks and improve system performance.
  • Translate theory into practice, through case studies, troubleshooting exercises, and hands-on operational insights.

Outcomes

At the end of this course, delegates will be able to:

  • Understanding wastewater characteristics and the influence it has on wastewater treatment processes.
  • Understanding the importance and objectives of wastewater treatment and the regulations governing it.
  • Have a basic knowledge of the different process units of a municipal wastewater treatment works and the function of each.
  • Have a basic knowledge of smaller, decentralised wastewater treatment systems and the role they play in delivering sanitation services to various stakeholders.
  • Being able to apply theory in practice.
  • How to compile a W2RAP as the most important tool of managing a wastewater treatment system.

Program Outline

Day 1

Session 1: Wastewater Constituents

  • Sources of Wastewater
  • Wastewater Constituents
  • Wastewater Analysis
  • Organics: COD, BOD, TOC &FOG
  • Solids: TS, TSS, VSS & TDS
  • Nutrients: NH3, TKN, N-N &TP
  • Physical Properties: pH, Temp,Alk

Session 2: Wastewater Characteristics

  • PE &PL
  • Pollutant Load & Dilution
  • Soluble vs Suspended Matter
  • Degradability vs Inert
  • Toxicity
  • Hydro-chemical Parameters
  • Xenobiotics
  • Microorganisms
  • Plant size vs Internal Recycles & External Inputs
  • Decentralised & On-Site Systems Landfill Leachate
  • Internal Plant Recycle
  • Ratios
  • Variations over time
  • Sampling Techniques
  • Household Sewage

Session 3: Wastewater Regulation

  • SDGs 2030
  • Water Services Act
  • National Water Act
  • R. 813 • Municipal Bylaws
  • Water Use Licenses & Gas
  • NEMA
  • Industrial Monitoring
  • Green Drop Certification

Session 4: Compliance Calculations

  • Classification of WWTPs
  • Determining Process Controller Requirements
  • Green Drop Calculations

Day 2

Session 1: Wastewater Treatment Process Units

  • Screening & Grit Removal
  • Flow Measurement
  • Primary Treatment
  • Activated Sludge Plants
  • Trickling Filters
  • Secondary Clarifiers
  • Disinfection
  • MBRs

Session 2: Biological Nutrient Removal

  • Denitrification
  • Biological Phosphorous Removal Anoxic, Anaerobic, Aerobic
  • BNR Configurations

Session 3: Sludge Handling

  • Sludge Thickening
  • Anaerobic Digestion
  • Sludge Management & Disposal

Session 4 :Case Studies

  • Applying theory in practice - Designing a Wastewater Treatment System

Day 3

Session 1: Decentralized Wastewater

  • Urbanization and its Effects
  • Shit-Flow Diagrams
  • DEWATS
  • NSSS
  • Small WWTP
  • Sewage to Potable Water

Session 2: Wastewater Risk Abatement Planning (W2RAP)

  • Introduction to W2RAP
  • Using the Web-enabled Tool
  • Step 1: Record of Completion
  • Step 2: Assemble the W2RAP Team
  • Step 3: Document and Describe the Wastewater System
  • Step 4: Develop a Basic Flow Diagram of the Wastewater System

Session 3 W2RAP (continued)

  • Steps 5 -15
  • Evaluation & Assessment of Sewer Collection System, Wastewater Treatment, Sludge Management,
  • Non-Reticulated Systems, Receiving Environments & End Users, Management & Administration
  • Step 16: Control Measures & Corrective Actions
  • Step 17: Summary: RA, Fre- quency Analysis & Graphs
  • Management Commitment & Sign-off

Session 4: Operations & Troubleshooting

  • Laboratory and on-site analysis, interpretation, and application
  • Management, logbooks, manuals, safety, and housekeeping

Who Should Attend?

  • Municipal Water Services Managers & Employees
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisors & Process Controllers
  • Water and Wastewater Utility Company Managers and Employees
  • Wastewater Infrastructure Civil, Mechanical & Electrical Contractors
  • Pollution Control Officers
  • Health Inspectors
  • Water Infrastructure Project Managers
  • Architects and Town Planners
  • Environmental Consultants
Dates and Times:
  • Wed 29 October 2025  08:30 to 16:30
  • Fri 31 October 2025  08:30 to 16:30
Type: Online
Venue: Online,
Fee: R 7 500.00 excl. VAT
R 8 625.00 incl. VAT
Validation Number/s: CESA-2369-09/2028
CPD Points: 3
Coordinator: