Wastewater Treatment Operator Class I study plan

Diagram the activated sludge flow path from aeration basin through secondary clarifier and back, labeling RAS, WAS, and internal recycle streams.

Calculate F/M ratio, MCRT (SRT), SVI, and return sludge rate for three different operating scenarios.

Interpret paired MLSS, DO, and 30-minute settleometer readings to decide whether to raise or lower the wasting rate.

List five indicators of filamentous bulking and state one corrective action for each.

Compare trickling filters, RBCs, and stabilization ponds on organic loading, recirculation, and expected effluent quality.

Calculate hydraulic loading rate, organic loading rate, and recirculation ratio for a trickling filter.

Compute pond detention time and areal loading, and state when a pond should be drawn down or taken out of service.

Convert among mg/L, pounds per day, and MGD using the 8.34 factor across ten practice problems.

Sequence the solids train from sludge withdrawal through thickening, digestion, dewatering, and final disposal, naming the unit process at each step.

Calculate solids loading to a thickener, volatile solids destruction in a digester, and dry solids produced per day.

Describe digester monitoring parameters (pH, alkalinity, VFA, temperature) and state the corrective action when the digester sours.

Identify belt press and centrifuge operating adjustments and the performance measures used to judge dewatering (cake solids, capture rate).

State the regulatory constraints that apply to biosolids land application and to landfill disposal.

Calculate surface overflow rate, detention time, and weir loading for a primary clarifier at three different flows.

Diagnose short-circuiting, solids carryover, and scum accumulation from sludge blanket and flow data, and prescribe a corrective action.

Identify confined space, hydrogen sulfide, methane, chlorine, and oxygen-deficiency hazards and the entry procedures that control each.

Write out the lockout/tagout sequence for a pump or blower, including verification of zero energy.

Perform and interpret BOD, TSS, pH, chlorine residual, and ammonia tests, stating holding times and preservation for each.

Calculate percent removal, chlorine dose and demand, and solids concentration from gravimetric data.

Build a preventive maintenance schedule for pumps, blowers, and valves with frequencies and assigned tasks.

Troubleshoot a centrifugal pump for cavitation, air binding, and impeller wear using pressure and vibration symptoms.

Trace wastewater from the collection system to the headworks, identifying inflow/infiltration, grease, and root intrusion sources.

Calculate wet-well detention time and pump cycling rate, and set pump run times to match influent flow.

Verify screen openings and calculate screenings removal rate, then evaluate grit removal and classifier performance.

Compute flow through a Parshall flume and confirm a magnetic flow meter reading against a secondary check.

Match NPDES permit limits, monitoring frequencies, and reporting deadlines to the daily operating tasks that control them.

Identify the reporting chain and required notifications for effluent limit exceedances, bypasses, and sanitary sewer overflows.

Calculate chlorine dose, CT, and dechlorination demand, and interpret coliform and disinfection-byproduct results.

Explain recordkeeping, chain-of-custody, and operator certification requirements that apply to permit compliance.

Retake the quizzes for the three weakest domains and score at least 85% on each.

Complete a 100-question timed practice exam under exam conditions.

Review every missed item and write a one-line corrective note explaining the right answer.

Rebuild the process-control and calculation sheets from memory as a final recall check.