Pollution Control Technician Terms

biochemical oxygen demand

A measure of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter by measuring the amount of oxygen consumed over a given period.

mg/L

grab sample

single container of wastewater that is taken at one specific time. indicate the condition at that specific time and may not represent the normal conditions. required for pH, DO, and bacteriological analyses

composite sample

a mixture of multiple samples collected over time or from various locations to provide an average representation of the wastewater collected in a standardized manner

influent

untreated wastewater entering a treatment process

total suspended solids

a measure of the particles suspended in water, including organic and inorganic materials.

mg/L

combined sewer

pipe conveyance systems that carry both wastewater and storm water in a single pipe to a wastewater treatment facility for processing

lift (pump) station

underground chamber equipped with pumps and a wet well, designed to elevate wastewater to a higher elevation when gravity flow is not feasible. these stations are crucial components within a collection system, ensuring the continuous conveyance of wastewater to a treatment facility by overcoming topographical challenges and maintaining gravity flow downstream.

sanitary sewer or collection system

underground pipe system used to convey water to a treatment facility

sanitary sewer overflow

release of wastewater from a sewage collection system or an interceptor sewer directly into a water or to the land surface during heavy rainfall or system failures

storm sewer

underground pipe system that collects rainwater from streets and conveys it to a place other than the wastewater treatment plant

wet well

tank where wastewater is collected. the wastewater is then pumped out. commonly found in lift stations and at the headworks of the wastewater treatment plant

aerobic

free and dissolved oxygen is available

anoxic/anaerobic

oxygen is only available in combined form such as nitrate, nitrite, or sulfate

biosolids

nutrient-rich organic matter resulting from the treatment of sewage, used as fertilizer in agriculture.

microorganism

living organism too small to be seen with the naked eye. bacteria, fungus, virus, protozoa

sidestreams

flows generated within the wastewater treatment plant, usually from solids processing that has been recycled back through the plant

pathogens

infectious microorganisms in wastewater that pose human health risks

mainline sewer

pipes that collect sewage from buildings and flow by gravity to the treatment plant

force mains

sewer pipes where wastewater is pumped under pressure to a specific location. used when sewage cannot flow by gravity

wet well lift station

a single chamber that collects wastewater. commonly called a submersible lift station due to the pump and motor being completely submerged. the submersible centrifugal pump in watertight and normally controlled by float switches. they are made to be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance using a rail system

conductivity

ability of an aqueous solution to transmit or conduct electricity.

μS/cm or mS/cm

dissolved oxygen

oxygen gas dissolved in water

mg/L or ppm

sonde with probe

used for measuring DO, pH, conductivity, temperature, and turbidity

turbidity

physical clarity of the water measured by how far light can travel through it.

NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit)

6 ways to reduce back injury

1. loads over 25lbs may require assistance

2. lifting objects over shoulder is risky

3. position yourself so load is close to body

4. lift with legs

5. keep one foot slightly in front of the other

6. complete the lift before turning or twisting your torso with the load

what to do before entering manhole

check for oxygen deficiency, hydrogen sulfide, explosive gases, and other atmospheric hazards

prevalent diseases that can be contracted through wastewater exposure

1. gastroenteritis (stomach flu)

2. dysentery

3. hep b and c

4. giardiasis

5. upper respiratory illnesses

potential toxic gases at wastewater sampling sites

1. hydrogen sulfide

2. methane

3. carbon monoxide

4. chlorine

common pathogens in contaminated water

1. norovirus

2. shigella

3. vibrio cholera

4. campylobacter

5. giardia

6. infectious hepatitis

inoculation

an injection that stimulated a resistance to a disease within a person’s body

acidification

common preservation method to help prevent changes in samples where a small amount of acid is added immediately after collection or is already present in the sample container

flow-proportional sampling

most representative method of collecting wastewater coming in and out of the treatment plant. volume of each sample is collected based on flow. it is more representative to take a small sample more often than a large sample less often

auto composite sampling log information

1. sample identification

2. date started

3. time started

4. date collected

5. time collected

6. sample temperature

7. operator initials

8. comments/observations

field collection record information

1. date and time

2. detailed sample location

3. preservation used

4. analysis requested

5. name and signatures of collector

6. pertinent field data

7. serial numbers of transport cases, sample log numbers

8. comments

critical maintenance tasks for pumps

1. lubrication

2. amperage checks

3. packing if leaking

4. flushing water seals

5. check for clogging

critical maintenance tasks for motors

1. grease

2. check the temperature

3. check amperage

4. inspect for noise and vibration