Understanding Your NPDES Permit - Online

Course Description

This session provides a comprehensive overview of laboratory testing requirements commonly performed at wastewater treatment plants. Participants will review approved methods for key analyses, including pH, ammonia, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, total suspended solids, total solids, volatile solids, E. coli, CBOD, and CBOD seeding. The course emphasizes proper laboratory safety practices, sampling techniques, sample handling, storage, and preservation to ensure accurate and defensible results.

Additional topics include laboratory documentation, troubleshooting common testing issues, and performing essential laboratory calculations. Participants will also receive a detailed review of DMRQA testing requirements, including required equipment, sample preparation techniques, strategies for testing samples of unknown strength, CBOD testing strategies, common sources of error, and proper reporting procedures. This session is designed to strengthen laboratory confidence, improve data quality, and support regulatory compliance.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify required laboratory tests commonly conducted at wastewater treatment facilities
• Explain proper sampling procedures, preservation methods, and storage requirements for wastewater analyses
• Apply appropriate laboratory safety practices during sample collection and testing
• Perform and interpret tests for pH, nutrients, solids, bacteria, and CBOD
• Complete essential laboratory calculations used in wastewater analysis
• Prepare, document, and troubleshoot laboratory tests to ensure accurate and reliable results
• Describe DMRQA testing requirements and the equipment needed for proper sample preparation
• Identify common sources of laboratory testing errors and apply strategies to prevent them
• Accurately document and report laboratory results in support of compliance and operational decision-making

Instructor: Pete Crowl, AIRW