Water Otter Courses

1002 – Yippee! More Math

Basic math calculations scaled to an introductory level including flow & conversion charts and an Index of Formulas organized by math problem subject.

1. Conversion Skills: Part One
• This course will enhance your math skills by introducing flow charts and formulas that you will use every day in your operations. Through lecture, slides, and skill building, you will sharpen and increase your math ability.
2. Conversion Skills, Part Two
• A continuation of the learning process that builds on the preceding course, to enhance the math skills you will use every day in your plant. You will apply the knowledge you learn in skill-building exercises and problem-solving questions.
3. Calculating Area and Volume
• Applying the conversion skills you just learned to practical problem solving.
4. Review
• A fun way to practice your skills interspersed with fun facts about water.

1003 – I Just Can’t Get Enough Math!

Basic math calculations scaled to an introductory level including flow & conversion charts and an Index of Formulas organized by math problem subject.

1. Calculating Gallons and Pounds
• The student will learn how to convert units of measure to use in formula calculations.
2. Calculating Concentration and Dose
• Making the viewer aware of proper calculation of concentration formulas and accurate dosing measures.
3. Detention Time
• Learn how to determine detention time and apply that to real-world applications.
4. Review
• A thorough review of the math presented in Course Pack 1003.

1004 – That Wasn’t So Bad, Let’s Review

Basic math calculations scaled to an introductory level including flow & conversion charts and an Index of Formulas organized by math problem subject.

1. Calculating Flow and Velocity
• Formulas and flow charts to help the learner master math calculations for everyday usage.
2. Course Pack Review One (with Fun Facts)
• An overview of math from all of the Math in course packs 1001, 1002, 1003, and 1004 with problem-solving exercises and fun facts thrown in to make it more entertaining.
3. More Review (with More Fun Stuff)
• Practice, practice, and practice some more. As they say, practice makes perfect. If it weren’t good for you, we wouldn’t keep on with it.
4. There, That Wasn’t So Bad, Was It?
• We will wrap up the math course series with a final review and more fun facts you can use to impress the kids or your friends. Wow them with your skills at calculating flow and then show them the formula for calculating how much of the earth’s surface is water.

1006, 1007, 1008 – Preventing Catastrophe Three 1-Hour Courses

1. Preventing Catastrophe
• Welcome to the Water Otter course “Preventing Catastrophe: Keeping your water and wastewater systems safe”. In this 4 part course you will learn about ways to prevent catastrophic water contamination by identifying specific sources and examples of past contaminations.
2. Preventing Catastrophe
• Welcome to Part 2 of the Water Otter course “Preventing Catastrophe: Keeping your water and wastewater systems safe”. In this section we’ll start off by talking about the hazards and causes of Biofilm.
3. Preventing Catastrophe
• Welcome to Part 3 of the Water Otter course “Preventing Catastrophe: Keeping your water and wastewater systems safe”. In this section we’ll start off by talking about Disinfection with Stronger Oxidizers. Then discuss potential hazards when using oxidizers. This is the final section of the course pack and we’ll start off by discussing Sodium Hypochlorite.

1018 – Simple Microscope Applications

Compare and Contrast Chlorine against alternative agents, and how they may help in meeting requirements for the Disinfection By-products.

1. Microscope Features and Benefits
• This one of a kind workshop was written to help wastewater operators obtain better process control through microscopic examination of mixed liquors and other waste streams. We start with the basics by defining the selection process and features and benefits.
2. Better Features = Better Results
• Compare and contrast. Better features make for better results most of the time, but not always. Find out why. Compare cost factors to see if what you pay for is worth it.
3. Let’s Talk Sampling
• See why slide preparation, maintenance, staining techniques, and actual same examination are very important. This program is not bug identification class.
4. Organism Class ID
• You will see how organism class identification and the presence, absence, mobility, and number of various classes translates to better process control. Even the most advanced operator will find this program skill enhancing.

1020 – True Confessions of an Operator

Addresses problems that operators face in relation to chemical feed and why chemical strength, pump calibration, product verification, and residual measurements are so important to conserve resources.

1. Lifting the Veil
• We will lift the veil related to chemical feed and see why chemical strength, pump calibration, product verification, and residual measurements are so important to conserve resources.
2. Chemical Strength Never Changes
• Explore common dosing mistakes and how to avoid them. Dosage adjustments are only needed when flow and demand change… oh, really?
3. Delivered Chemicals Are As Specified
• Get Real. As Ronald Reagan said, “trust buy verify”. How about, chemical feed pumps never vary, simply set it and forget it. No way Jack!!! Let’s take a look.
4. Do It Right
• Attention to detail is very important and should become routine practice for you.

1026 – The Three Stooges

Explores the three most common tests run in water and wastewater systems today with useful information to achieve solid verifiable, accurate, viable test results for operations and reporting purposes.

1. pH and Meters
• This course explores the three most common tests run in water and wastewater systems today, and how not to be fooled by their simplicity. The first course tells the operator how to get the most out of their testing skills.
2. Employing Testing Apparatus
• This is part two of the course pack and discusses the various apparatuses used for testing of pH, chlorine, and DO with helpful hints of how to get the maximum out of the equipment.
3. DO Testing Apparatus
• Learn how employing pH, Chlorine, and DO testing equipment is a five step process of selection, use, care, verification, and maintenance.
4. Ops and Reporting
• Learn numerous helpful hints to achieve solid, verifiable, accurate, viable test results for operations and reporting purposes.

1028 – Ten Secrets of Process Management

Explores unique little known “tools” one can use to achieve a better process operations in treatment, distribution, or collection.

1. Ten (Maybe 11) Secrets
• This program explores eleven unique little known “tools” one can use now to achieve a better process operation in treatment, distribution, or collection.
2. Is Temperature Most Important?
• Through slides, graphs, and lively discussion, you will learn why temperature is the most important measurement. Find out why hypochlorite strength measurements are important and why portable ORP & Alkalinity testing can yield big dividends.
3. Avoiding Violations
• Find out how refining process tests for disinfection residuals, solids core-taking, and jar testing can help to avoid violation. Explore simplified nutrient monitoring methods for process control.
4. Is Your Tool Box Complete?
• See what two key inexpensive tools may be missing from most treatment plant tool boxes.

2011 – Common Sense Disinfection Techniques

Examines UV and investigates latest disinfection techniques and applications for both potable and wastewater.

1. UV Disinfection Techniques
• This course investigates the latest UV disinfection techniques and applications for both potable and wastewater operations. Through lecture and graphics, you will explore the world of UV.
2. Lo-dose UV
• Learn why the latest research data suggests lo-dose UV may be very effective in controlling Giardia and Crytosporidium in potable water. Will this technology work for you?
3. UV, How Does It Differ?
• Define and examine what UV is and how it differs from other typical disinfection systems, and understand the advantages and disadvantages.
4. Is There An Alternative To Chlorine?
• Review appropriate applications in community and non-community potable water and wastewater. Is there an alternative to chlorine? Learn why UV may be the low cost choice for installation, operation, and maintenance.

2013 – Small Groundwater System Operations

Designed specifically for the small groundwater system with virtually no treatment except perhaps UV disinfection. Covers the basics, from well design, common water treatment techniques, distribution, residuals measurement, and even general regulatory rule compliance like Coliform, Groundwater, Lead/Copper, and Nitrates are all reviewed.

1. Let’s Talk Basics
• All systems operators will find this course useful and skill enhancing. Through graphs and slides, lecture attendees will find this program entertaining and informative. This program was made for small ground systems with virtually no treatment except perhaps UV disinfection.
2. From Design to Distribution
• We will cover everything from well design to common water treatment techniques, disinfection, residual measurements, and distribution.
3. General Rules and Regulations
• An in-depth discussion of general regulatory rule compliance like Coliform, Ground Water, Lead/Copper, and Nitrates will be reviewed and make the viewer a better, more well-rounded operator.
4. Reporting
• Finally, we will explore how to handle and report violations. There is something for all operators to learn and find interest in.

2014 – Comparing Alternative Disinfection

Pros and cons of chlorine (gas, powder, liquid) compared and contrasted against alternatives like Chloramines, Chlorine Dioxide, Ozone, UV, Mixed Oxidants, Ultra-filtration, and other disinfectants and how they may help in meeting requirements for the Disinfection By-products, and up coming Groundwater Rules.

1. Pros and Cons of Chlorine
• The viewer will be able to compare and contrast the pros and cons of chlorine (gas, liquid, and powder) against alternatives like Chloramines, Chlorine Dioxide, Ozone, UV, Mixed Oxidants, and other disinfectants.
2. Disinfection Systems of All Stripes
• See how many disinfection systems there are and how they may help in meeting requirements for state and local water and wastewater operations.
3. What Works Best
• In-depth discussions of all the various disinfection chemicals and methods available to operators and how they may apply to you and your operations.
4. Disinfection and Groundwater Rules
• We will tie together all the materials from the first two courses in this pack with lively discussion and superb visuals. Operators will be able to make well-informed decisions about disinfecting chemicals and application. See what lies ahead for Groundwater Rules and Disinfection By-products.

2016 – Hypochlorite Disinfection

Explores common mistakes water/wastewater systems make using Hypochlorite and liquid based De-chlorinating agents. Looks at various methodologies, measurements and chemical tests and how pump dose calculations can be simplified to minimize/maximize residuals as well as the importance of verifying pump settings via routine calibration.

1. Oops! Common Mistakes
• This program looks at the most common mistakes water and wastewater systems make using Hypochlorite and liquid based De-chlorinating agents.
2. High vs. Low Strength Hypochlorite
• Compare and contrast on-site generation, high strength versus low strength hypochlorite. We’ll look at various sulfite de-chlorination, vitamin C, hydrogen peroxide, and other de-chlorinating methodologies.
3. Measuring Delivery Doses
• Learn why it is so important to measure delivered hypochlorite/de-chlorinating agent strength and rates of deterioration. Become an expert at measuring hypo and de-chlorinating agents via hydrometers, refractors, weight measurements and simple chemical tests.
4. Dose Calculations and Safety
• Learn how valuable a simple pump dose can minimize and maximize residuals. We also look into safety!

2018 – Chloramination

Explores aspects of chloramination including free chlorine versus chloramination, ratio, advantages and residual-based measurement. Course pack also addresses disinfection and customer concerns.

1. Primary Disinfection
• Compare and contrast common free chlorine versus chloramination, we will discuss the issues associated with chloramination as a primary disinfectant in our potable water supply.
2. Making Chloramination Work
• We will explain what it takes to make chloramination work for a typical public water supply. An in depth discussion of. How to establish appropriate ratios of chlorine to ammonia and view the advantages of this primary disinfection.
3. Residual Based Measurements
• We will discuss residual measurements, then we will shift gears and explore some of the problems a water system should address when using chlorine-ammonia compounds, like increased corrosion issues, nitrification, and increased in non-pathogenic bacteria.
4. Customer Concerns & Addressing Problems
• Finally we will address your customers concerns about this type of disinfection, like taste and odor and health issues.

2019 – More Alternative Disinfections

1. Pros and Cons
• We will be looking at chloramines in regards to colorimetric testing, typical reactions, and advantages and disadvantages. We will also be digging into the Ozone and Pros and Cons of this.
2. On the Outside: Ozone and the UV
• We will be traveling deeper into the ozone system, looking at different components and chambers. We will also cover UV to a full extent, and the effects on lamp efficiencies.
3. UV and its Core
• We continue looking at UV, mainly about controls necessary to keep everything in check. We will compare UV to Oxidizers, and how we can apply UV in all of our systems.
4. Finale: Ultrafiltration and Review
• Finally we will address mixed oxidants and Ultrafiltration, before taking a quick review of the course pack.