Welcome to OCTWQA online classes. In order to enroll in one or more classes currently offered online by OCT Water Quality Academy please call our administrative offices at 866-266-0028 to complete your registration. Each class is $20 dollars.

Once you have your registration completed, please select from the following list by clicking on the class you have purchased. This will take you to another page to access your class. Click on the link in the next page to begin your online lesson.

Thank you for purchasing your online class from OCT Water Quality Academy. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at: info@octinc.com.

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Available courses

  • Chlorination of drinking water has been a key factor in the dramatic reduction of waterborne disease in the United States. Secondary disinfection in the form of maintaining a chlorine residual within the distribution system is very important. The chlorine residual can take several forms with have different disinfection (oxidation) potentials, decay rates and byproduct formation. Chlorine residuals vary from point to point within the distribution system as a result of chlorine decay. This occurs for a number of reasons and water system operators must monitor their system and take a proactive approach to maintaining an adequate residual without over-chlorinating, or over-flushing.

    This class will identify and anaylize the following:

    • The effectiveness of free chlorine residuals
    • Explanation of the four reaction zones,
    • Formation and types of combined chlorine residuals
    • Nomenclature for Chlorine Residual
    • Formation of chloramines and the three stages of reaction
    • Beyond breakpoint, the causes of chlorine residual decay. 
    • Distribution flushing requirements
    Guest access: OL 103 - Introduction to Disinfection Practices
  • General

     Volume calculations are the most basic and frequently encountered type of math problems associated with the operation of a water or wastewater plant.

     Two volume formulas are basic to more than 50% of all math problems encountered, and they are, as follows:

     ●          The right cylinder formula for cylindrical geometrical objects and,

     ●          The rectangular basin formula for rectangular geometrical objects.

    Two lessons will cover the basics of geometry in relationship with cylinders and rectangular basin for applied mathematics for both water and wastewater operators, grades 1-2.

    Guest access: OL - 85 Introduction to Volumes for Water / Wastewater OperatorsSelf enrollment: OL - 85 Introduction to Volumes for Water / Wastewater Operators
  • This class is designed to lay the groundwork for basic mathematical skills used by Water or Wastewater Plant Operators. The topics covered in this class will help treatment plant operators to solve basic conversion problems and prepare for state examinations.

    Topics covered:

    • Elementary math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
    • Rounding numbers
    • Decimals
    • Basic geometry (area, perimeter)
    • Simple equations
    • Complex equations
    Self enrollment: OL-86  Introduction to Basic Water/Wastewater Mathematics
  • General

                All chemical dose in water plant operations are computed by weight.  The pound is the common unit of weight used in U.S. water and wastewater plants.

     The Pounds Formula

     The Pounds Formula is written mathematically, as follows:

    Dose, Lbs = (Volume, MG) (Concentration, mg/L) (8.34 lbs/gallon)

     It is often necessary to convert gallons to million gallons per day in order to utilize the Pounds Formula.  This is accomplished by dividing any quantity of "gallons" by 1,000,000 gallons.  If the quantity being converted is less than 1.0 million gallons, the answer will be in the form of a decimal fraction, like, 0.750 MG for 750,000 gallons.  For quantities which exceed 1.0 million gallons, the answer will take on the form of a whole number, plus a decimal fraction, such as, 1.75 MG for 1,750,000 gallons.

     The Davidson Pie Chart

                 There are four parts to the Pounds Formula.  Given any three of the knowns, the fourth unknown can be calculated.  The Davidson Pie Chart shown on the following page can help operators keep terms in their proper place and quickly solve for the fourth unknown.

    Guest access: OL - 74 Small Water System Mathematics - Chemical DosesSelf enrollment: OL - 74 Small Water System Mathematics - Chemical Doses
  • Representative math questions for Wastewater Treatment Operators, grade 1 and 2. These questions covering the following topics

    Ponds and Lagoons

    Evaporation Loss

    Percolation Loss

    Step by step answers are also provided for each question.

    Guest access: OL - 150 -  WW Math Ponds & Lagoons for Grade 1-2 Operator
  • OBJECTIVES

    Upon completion of Section Five: Sampling Procedures for the Chemical Regulations, the learner should be able to:

    1. Classify each chemical contaminant identified by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) as an inorganic, organic, or volatile organic compound and determine whether or not it is regulated.

    2.  Develop a sampling plan for the collection of the initial and follow-up chemical samples required by Phase I, II, and V of the chemical regulations.

    3.  Collect the chemical samples for laboratory analysis as required by Phase I, II, and V of the chemical regulations.

    4.  Read and comprehend laboratory results of the various chemical analyses.

    Guest access: OL - 51 - Sampling Procedures for the Chemical RegulationsSelf enrollment: OL - 51 - Sampling Procedures for the Chemical Regulations
  • OBJECTIVES

    Upon completion of Section Four: Sampling Procedures for the Surface Water Treatment Rule, the learner should be able to:

     

    1.         Identify whether or not a system needs to perform filtration.

    2.         Determine the frequency of samples required of non-filtering systems for source water coliform monitoring.

    3.         Collect appropriate samples for source water coliform analysis.

    4.         Determine frequency of turbidity samples required for the turbidity monitoring as required by the SWTR.

    5.         Determine the frequency of disinfection residual monitoring sampling as required by the SWTR.

    6.         Collect appropriate samples for turbidity and disinfectant residual analysis.

    7.         Determine turbidity and disinfectant residual using a continuous monitoring device with recorder.

    Guest access: OL - 51.1 - Sampling Procedures for the Surface Water Treatment RuleSelf enrollment: OL - 51.1 - Sampling Procedures for the Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of Section Three: Sampling Procedures for the Lead   

    and Copper Rule, the learner should be able to:

     1.   Determine the number of tap water samples required to be taken and locations that best fit the guidelines specified by the Lead and Copper Rule.

     2.   Teach proper sampling procedures to the resident or home owner.

     3.   Transport the samples, using defined transportation and storage procedures, to the laboratory for analysis.

     4.   Read and comprehend laboratory reports and follow up with required additional      sampling requirements.

     5.   Locate and collect the source water and water quality parameter monitoring samples      that are required by the Lead and Copper Rule.

    Guest access: OL - 51.2 - Sampling Procedures for the Lead-Copper RuleSelf enrollment: OL - 51.2 - Sampling Procedures for the Lead-Copper Rule
  • Complying with the Safe Drinking Water Act is a series of concise training aids. One set in the series is designated for state regulatory personnel and local health officials responsible for Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) compliance and enforcement. The other set is designed with the public water system (PWS) operator in mind.

    The operator series is designed to coincide with the actual duties of a water treatment plant operator as they relate to compliance with the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Each Operator Training Guide is designed with information mapping, and section reviews to aid the operator in attaining competency in carrying out the provisions of the SDWA. These guides were designed to be used:

    • For independent self-study
    • As technical support for classroom training and
    • As a read reference.

    Sampling procedures are, by nature, very technical, comprehensive, and interrelated with every regulation. The reader should begin by grasping the broad intent of the procedures, then focusing on the details. Note that the sampling procedures apply to all water system, regardless of size or type. As you study, remember that accurate test results are dependent on the collection of an appropriate, uncontaminated sample.

    Guest access: OL - 106 - Complying with the Safe Drinking Water Act
  • The Regulation - GWR

     The Groundwater Rule (GWR) applies to more than 147,000 public water systems in the U.S. that use groundwater as of 2003.  The rule also applies to any system that mixes surface and groundwater if the groundwater is added directly to the distribution system, and provided to consumers without treatment equivalent to surface water treatment.  These types of systems provide water to an estimated 100 million consumers.

    Public Health Benefits

     The Groundwater Rule is designed to reduce the public health risk from contaminated groundwater drinking water sources, especially in high-risk or high-priority systems. The GWR is estimated to reduce the average number of waterborne viral (rotavirus and echovirus) illnesses by nearly 42,000 each year from the current database estimate of approximately 185,000; i.e., a 23% reduction in total illnesses.  Additionally, non-quantified benefits from the rule resulting in illness reduction from other viruses and bacteria are expected to be significant.

     The Final Requirements

     1.         Periodic Sanitary Surveys of groundwater systems that require the evaluation of eight (8) critical elements, and the identification of significant  deficiencies; i.e., a well located near a leaking septic system.

     

                The eight (8) critical elements:

               ●          Source Water monitoring

                ●          Treatment

                ●          Distribution System

                ●          Finished water storage

                ●          Pumps, pump facilities and controls

                ●          Monitoring, reporting and data verification

                ●          System operations and maintenance

                ●          Operator Certification and compliance

    2.  Source Water Monitoring to test for the presence of E. Coli

    3.  Enterococci, or coliphage in the sample. 

    Guest access: OL - 102 - The Groundwater Rule Self enrollment: OL - 102 - The Groundwater Rule
  • Total Coliform Rule

     Drinking water regulations require that potable waters for human consumption be free from human-disease-causing bacteria and specific indicator bacteria that are indicative of the presence of these pathogens.  This does not mean that drinking water should be sterile.  Keep in mind that very few species of bacteria are harmful to humans.

    Guest access: OL - 109.1 - Basic Microbiology Total Coliform RuleSelf enrollment: OL - 109.1 - Basic Microbiology Total Coliform Rule
  • Coliform

     Coliform bacteria are a collection of relatively harmless microorganisms that live in large numbers in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded mammals, including man.  They aid in the digestion of food.

    Coliform bacteria can also be found in the soil, other animals, insects, etc.   The total coliform group is relatively easy to culture in the lab, and therefore, has been selected as the primary indicator bacteria for the presence of disease causing organisms.

     Coliform bacteria are not pathogenic (disease causing) organism, and are only mildly infectious.  If large numbers of coliforms are found in water, there is a high probability that other pathogenic organisms may be present.  The procedures for isolating pathogenic bacteria are complex and expensive; thus indicator organisms are used to indicate the probable presence of pathogens

    Guest access: OL - 109.2 - Basic Microbiology Coliform BacteriaSelf enrollment: OL - 109.2 - Basic Microbiology Coliform Bacteria
  • Introduction to Microbiology

    The science of microbiology is the study of microorganisms and their activities.  It is concerned with their:

    • Form
    • Structure
    • Reproduction
    • Physiology
    • Metabolism
    • Identification

     For the most part, microbiology deals with unicellular microscopic organisms.  In unicellular organisms, all of the life processes are performed in a single cell.  The cell is the basic unit of life.

    Guest access: OL - 109.3 - Introduction to MicroorganismsSelf enrollment: OL - 109.3 - Introduction to Microorganisms
  • Commonly used sample collection techniques

     1.    Grab Sample

    • Used to describe the collection from a sample tap.

     2.    Subsurface sample

    • Used to describe the collection from a treatment basin

     3.    Composite sample

    • Samples that are collected and poured into a common container over a specified period of time.
    • This type of sample collection is not acceptable for bacteriological analysis.  You cannot determine the extent or time of a single contamination event during the collection period.

     

    Guest access: OL-109.4  - Sampling Procedures for Basic MicrobiologySelf enrollment: OL-109.4  - Sampling Procedures for Basic Microbiology
  • The EPA has indicated that there is no safe level for Coliform Bacteria. Therefore:

     

    The MCL for COLIFORM BACTERIA IS: ZERO (0) under the Presence-Absence Rule.

     

    • Multiple Tube Fermentation (MTF) Technique utilizing 5 tubes of 20 ml. Sample each or 10 tubes of 10 ml. sample each.

     

    • Presence-Absence (P-A) Coliform Test utilizing a single 100 ml. sample volume

     

    • Membrane Filter (MF) Technique utilizing a 100 ml. filter volume.

     

    • Minimal Media ONPG-MUG or Autoanalysis Colilert System).
    Guest access: OL- 109.5 - Laboratory Procedures for MicrobiologySelf enrollment: OL- 109.5 - Laboratory Procedures for Microbiology
  • Nuisance Organisms

    • Actinomycetes are a collection of nine different groups of bacteria. 
    • Taste & odor compounds
    • Iron Bacteria associated with Biofouling & Control Strategies
    • Sulfur Bacteria & Control Strategies
    • Nitrifying Bacteria & Control Strategies
    Guest access: OL-109.6 Nuisance Organisms for MicrobiologySelf enrollment: OL-109.6 Nuisance Organisms for Microbiology
  • Pathogenic Organisms

     In theory, any organism that can invade the human body and produce a toxic reaction in tissues or organs is a pathogen.

     In practice, outbreaks of waterborne pathogens must occur in two or more individuals.

     Routes of waterborne infection

    • Ingestion
    • Inhalation
    • Body contact
    • Penetration
    Guest access: OL 109.7 - Pathogenic Organisms for MicorbiolgoySelf enrollment: OL 109.7 - Pathogenic Organisms for Micorbiolgoy
  • Halogens

     

    Elements of Group VII in the Periodic Table are called the halogens.  The name “halogen” is derived from Greek words that mean “salt former.” At room temperature, the halogens exist in physical phases that vary from gas to solid.

     

    The halogens combine directly with hydrogen, forming hydrogen halides, all of which are colorless gases

     

    Because of their oxidizing power, halogens make superb disinfectants for water treatment.

     

    Disinfection is the treatment process used to destroy or inactuate disease-causing (pathogenic) organisms.

     

    Disinfection should not be confused with sterilization.  Sterilization is the destruction of all living microorganisms.

    Guest access: OL 109.8 - The Halogens and Disinfections for MicrobiologySelf enrollment: OL 109.8 - The Halogens and Disinfections for Microbiology
  • Introduction

     Chemistry is the study of stuff!  You take some stuff, add some stuff and you get a whole NEW type of stuff.

     Matter

    In the chemistry business, stuff is called matter.  Matter is anything that has mass (weight) and occupies space.

    Element

    Matter consists of particles of elements or a combination of elements, (see periodic table, section A).  There are 109 known elements; 91 have been found in nature, the rest are manmade.

    Atom

    If you could take a sample of an element and divide it into smaller and smaller pieces, you would eventually come down to a tiny particle that, if subdivided any more, would no longer show the characteristics of the original element.  The smallest particle that still retains the characteristics of an element is called the atom.

    Guest access: OL 110.1 Structure of MatterSelf enrollment: OL 110.1 Structure of Matter
  • The pH is a measurement of a solution’s acidity or basicity.  The pH tells us the concentration of [H+] in solution. This lesson will cover:

    • pH Scale
    • Log
    •  Logarithms are exponents. 
    • pH & Water Treatment
    • Acids & Bases
    • Alkalinity

    Self enrollment: OL-110.2 pH and Alkalinity
  • Coagulation Chemistry

    and

    Polymers

     In the coagulation and floculation process, nonsettleable solids are converted into larger and heavier settleable solids.  The settleable solids can then be removed by the sedimentation and filtration process.

    This lesson will cover:

    • Natural Forces
    • Polar Molecules
    • Coagulants
    • Iron Salts
    • Polymers

     

    Guest access: OL 110.3 Coagulation Chemistry and PolymersSelf enrollment: OL 110.3 Coagulation Chemistry and Polymers
  • Halogens

     Elements of Group VII in the Periodic Table are called the halogens.  The name “halogen” is derived from Greek words that mean “salt former.” At room temperature, the halogens exist in physical phases that vary from gas to solid.

     The halogens combine directly with hydrogen, forming hydrogen halides, all of which are colorless gases

     Because of their oxidizing power, halogens make superb disinfectants for water treatment.

     Disinfection is the treatment process used to destroy or inactuate disease-causing (pathogenic) organisms.

     Disinfection should not be confused with sterilization.  Sterilization is the destruction of all living microorganisms.

    This lesson will also cover:

    • Properties of chlorine
    • Sources of Ammonia
    • Reactions
    • THM
    • Breakpoint Chlorination

    Guest access: OL - 110.4 Halogens and DisinfectionsSelf enrollment: OL - 110.4 Halogens and Disinfections
  • Hard Water Chemistry

     Hard water is caused by soluble, divalent, metallic cations.  The principle chemicals are calcium (Ca+2) and Magnesium (Mg+2)

    This lesson will cover the following:

    • Lime and Soda Ash Softening
    • Hardness Removal
    • Regeneration
    • Scaling
    • Corrosion Control
    • Langelier Saturation Index

    Self enrollment: OL 110.5 Hard Water Chemistry

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