Learner will see a variety of microbes present in wastewater treatment plants.  Some approaches to optimizing wastewater treatment at pretreatment plants will be presented.

Photomicrographs of organisms from wastewater treatment plants will be shown (a photographic trip to the microbial zoo).  

Soluble organic carbon/nutrients to microbial biomass, Predator/prey relationships, concept of trophic feeding levels, 

Natural selection at wastewater plants

Public wastewater and pretreatment plants--structural comparisons

Carbon:nitrogen:phosphorous ratios

Hydraulic retention time and sludge retention time

Food:microbe ratio, Sludge age, Mean cell retention time

Amanda Meitz

Boilers and cooling systems support production at food and beverage plants, chemical plants and other manufacturers.  These processes produce wastewater that may go to on-site pretreatment facilities that process the waste prior to discharge to, frequently, the local sewer and subsequently the receiving water.  Opportunities may exist for water treatment personnel to apply their knowledge of water chemistry, enhanced with some biological principles, and apply the information to the facts that their clients face at their pretreatment plants.

An abundant microbial population is crucial to the performance of biological wastewater treatment plants.  Photographs of microbes in action will be provided to display diversity.  Biological concepts of natural selection and trophic feeding levels are the basis for some methods to optiimize performance of wastewater pretreatment facilities.

Amanda Meitz is the owner of Biosolutions, LLC, a water and water deposit testing laboratory.  She worked with coooling water microbiocides at Mogul, Dexter, Diversey Water Technoogies, and Nalco Diversified Technologies.  She holds a Bachelors degree in biology from Adrian College and a Master of Science degree in microbiology from Michigan State University.  Biosolutions provides consultative and analytical support including analysis of metals in water, general chemistry and microbes in water.