A Guide to Wastewater Treatment in

Ontario

Wastewater Treatment Common Skills

Commonly Requested Skills

Sample Job Titles: Intermediate Civil Engineer, Jr. Inspector, Intermediate Water Technologist, Solid Waste Engineer/Technologist, Application Engineer, Water Treatment Engineer, Wastewater Systems Design Technologist, Project Engineer Intern, Water Resources Technologist, Civil Engineering Technologist, Municipal Projects Engineer, Industrial Treatment Specialist

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Functional and detailed design of: municipal roads, water and wastewater distribution and collection systems, stormwater management facilities and land development. Prepare cost estimates, specs and tender documents. Experience with Environmental Assessments Maintain field/project notes Able to prepare, receive and manage payment certificates Experience and knowledge of process, electrical, instrumentation and controls, and structural engineering design and drawing preparation Design and prepare contract drawing for upgrades, expansion and construction of water and wastewater pumping stations and treatment facilities Assist or be the lead coordinator for drafting work with staff from other departments or offices, as required when working on multi-discipline projects Prepare construction specifications and assist with preparation of contract document Prepare contract quantities and cost estimates Ability to conduct survey and field inspections Excellent working knowledge of OPSS and AWWA standards Financial and technical control of small and large water treatment and sewage facilities Good understanding of the key phases in water/wastewater systems design and development Prepare technical specifications, regulatory approval applications and design reports Review and evaluate applications, engineering designs, specification and other submissions for applications and projects Prepare correspondence, briefing notes, Minsters's letters and other documents Functional and detailed design of integrated municipal infrastructure including roads, sewers, water mains and drainage works Advanced working knowledge of AutoCAD, Microstation, LDD, or Softdesk Develop resolutiom strategies and action plans Feasibility studies, field studies, and engineering design for wastewater projects Develop and implement environmental management plans, mitigation and restoration plans

SOFT SKILLS

Working in a fast-paced environment Strong computer skills Excellent report writing skills Superior oral and written communication Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams Awareness of other areas of environmental engineering Self-motivated Organized, able to manage and prioritize several assignments Able to meet deadlines Maintaining and enhancing quality control within the group

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Valid Ontario Driver's License, with access to vehicle Business-related travel Knowledge of relevant legislation

EDUCATION

Intermediate Civil Engineer: Bachelor's in Civil Engineering Jr. Inspector: Diploma in civil, municipal or construction Intermediate water/wastewater technologist: Post-secondary Diploma in a related field Solid Waste Engineer/Technologist: Bachelor or Masters in Civil/Environmental Engineering or engineering technology, Application Engineer: BSc in Chemical, Electrical or Mechanical engineering Water Treatment Engineer: Bachelor in Civil Engineering Water/Wastewater Systems Design Technologist: Engineering Technology related to civil, engineering, manufacturing or construction Water Resources Technologist: Diploma in Civil/Environmental Engineering Technology with a focus on water resources Civil Engineering Technologist: Diploma in Civil engineering technology Municipal Projects Engineer: Bachelors in Engineering Industrial Treatment Specialist: Bachelors in Chemical/Environmental Engineering or Science

EXPERIENCE / MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATION

Intermediate Civil Engineer: Eligible for PEO, 5 years experience in land development and municipal infrastructure Jr. Inspector: 1-2 years construction experience is required Intermediate water/wastewater technologist: Eligible for OAACETT's Certified Engineering Technologist , 5 years of relevant industry experience Solid Waste Engineer/Technologist: EIT registration, 2+ years engineering experience is required Application Engineer: 5 years experience in industrial water treatment Water Treatment Engineer: Professional status with PEO or APEGGA, 5 years of project management experience related to water industry Water/Wastewater Systems Design Technologist: CET or Ctech eligibility, 0-3 years work experience Water Resources Technologist: CET or Ctech eligibility, 5 years of work experience Civil Engineering Technologist: CET or Ctech eligibility, 1-2 years experience in engineering for municipalities or land development Municipal Projects Engineer: eligible for P.Eng, 4 years of experience in consulting/ land development/municipal design projects Industrial Treatment Specialist: 5 years relevant experience

Wastewater Treatment Employer List

Wastewater Treatment Employers

A.M. Candaras AECOM AMEC Aquafor Beech Aquatech Dewatering Aquaterre Baird and Associates B.M Ross and Associates Ltd. C. C. Tatham Chisholm Fleming City of Mississauga City of Toronto CLOCA Condeland Engineering Condrain Group Conservation Halton CVC David Schaeffer Engineering Ltd. Dearden and Stanton Ltd. DCS/SENES Consultants Dillion Consulting exp Services Inc. Gamsby and Mannerow GEMS GRCA Greenland Hamilton Conservation Hatch Mott MacDonald Imbrium J.L. Richards & Associates Ltd. K. Smart Associated Ltd. KGS Group Consulting Klohn Crippen Berger LSRCA McCornmick/ EcoPLans Meritech Engineering

MMM Group Morrison Hershfield M.R Wright & Associates Co. O'Connor Associates

Rand Engineering

Region of Durham

Region of Peel Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc.

Regional Municipality of York Robinson Consultants R.J. Burnside& Associates Ltd. R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd. Schaeffers Consulting Eng. Sernas Associates Skelton Brumwell SLR Consultant SNC Lavalin Stantec TMIG Town of Ajax Town of Brampton Triton Engineering Services Ltd. Tulloch Engineering Urbantech XCG Consultants

Wastewater Treatment Profession Overview

WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

What is Wastewater? Wastewater is a term typically used to describe liquid wastes from two types of sources. The first source, sanitary sewage, is generated from homes, businesses, institutions and industries. The second source, stormwater, is generated from rain or melting snow that drains off rooftops, lawns, parking lots, roads and other urban surfaces. Wastewater is collected by sewer systems and in most cases is treated before being released to the environment. Source: http://www.ec.gc.ca/eu-ww/default.asp?lang=en&n=0FB32EFD-1 What is Wastewater Treatment? Sewage, or wastewater treatment, evolved to remove organic matter from the waste stream prior to discharge so that healthy oxygen levels could be maintained. Two waste streams discharge from a wastewater treatment plant: the liquid stream that we call effluent, and the semi-solid slurry that we call sludge. Before discharge, the wastewater passes through a variety of steps to separate, filter, disinfect and "digest" both organic and inorganic components in the waste stream. Source: http://www.wastewatermadeclear.ca/what/ What is a Wastewater Plant Engineer? Water and wastewater plant engineers plan, design, and oversee construction and operation of all processes and structures involved in the treatment, distribution, and collection of water and wastewater. These engineers work on a variety of scales, designing small package plants as well as large municipal and industrial treatment facilities, pumping stations, reservoirs, distribution systems, and sewers. Water and wastewater plant engineers can also be employed by municipal and industrial systems and plants to oversee day-to-day operation and maintenance. Source: http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/water-and-wastewater-plant-engineer/90/ What is a Wastewater Collection and Treatment Officer? Wastewater collection and treatment operators work on systems that collect and treat municipal wastewater. Depending on the size of the system and the municipality, this can be two different jobs: in smaller systems, one person often does both treatment and collection, but in larger centres, a different operator handles each function. Wastewater collection operators work on storage and storm sewer systems, specifically piping, pumping, and lift stations, whereas wastewater treatment operators work in treatment plants, treating and disposing municipal wastewater. These operators also take samples for lab analysis, work with chemicals and equipment used to disinfect wastewater, and maintain equipment, making minor repairs to piping, pumps, and valves. Source: http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/wastewater-collection-and-treatment-operator/121/

Wastewater Plant Engineer Responsibilities

Assess client needs and prepare conceptual design studies, including flowsheet development, equipment sizing, layout requirements, and capital and operating cost projections.

Design treatment facilities, pumping stations, reservoirs, and distribution and collection systems, and confirm designs using modelling techniques.

Prepare engineering reports, drawings, and specifications for water and wastewater projects.

Assist with or prepare applications for approvals and financial assistance on behalf of clients.

Participate in public presentations to make the public aware of the work and possible impacts during construction.

Perform inspections of water and wastewater facilities and prepare summary reports of findings, including cost estimates for repair.

http://www.ec.gc.ca/eu-ww/default.asp?lang=en&n=0FB32EFD-1http://www.wastewatermadeclear.ca/what/http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/water-and-wastewater-plant-engineer/90/http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/wastewater-collection-and-treatment-operator/121/http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/wastewater-collection-and-treatment-operator/121/

Provide construction management on behalf of clients, including cost control, schedule reviews, and payment authorization.

Source: http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/water-and-wastewater-plant-engineer/90/ Wastewater Collection and Treatment Officer Responsibilities

Draw samples for laboratory chemical and bacteriological analysis.

Take and record readings from instruments such as flowmeters and pressure gauges.

Adjust pumping systems, blowers, sludge handling equipment, and chemical metering equipment in order to maintain steady operation.

Complete treatability tests to determine appropriate chemical dosing rates.

Investigate chemical and hazardous waste spills that may have entered wastewater collection systems or other storm drainage systems.

Source: http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/wastewater-collection-and-treatment-operator/121/

Job Opportunities Municipal governments, Public inspection agencies, Private utility companies, engineering consulting firms. Source: http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/wastewater-collection-and-treatment-operator/121/

http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/water-and-wastewater-plant-engineer/90/http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/wastewater-collection-and-treatment-operator/121/http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/wastewater-collection-and-treatment-operator/121/http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/wastewater-collection-and-treatment-operator/121/http://www.eco.ca/occupationalprofiles/profiles/wastewater-collection-and-treatment-operator/121/

Wastewater Treatment Terminology

Wastewater Treatment Terminology

Aeration Tank: Aeration is part of the secondary treatment process. Wastewater flowing out of the settling tanks still contains some solids and dissolved materials. Activated sludge is used to create a natural environment where microorganisms use the remaining organic material and nutrients in the wastewater as their food supply. Bar Screening: A bar screen (a large metal rack with bars placed at intervals) is located at the beginning of a wastewater treatment plant to remove large trash, sticks, plastic materials and rags. The captured material is then removed and disposed of in the Hartland Landfill. Biological Aerated Filter Design: The biological aerated filter (BAF) has a 2-3m deep bed of relatively small size filter media, which provides a high surface area on which to grow a biomass. The filter bed is then submerged and the settled wastewater is pumped either upwards or downwards through the filter. A blower sends air through a diffuser at the bottom of the bed which generates bubbles that then rise through the filter and provide a steady stream of oxygen for the biomass. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD): The oxygen that is required to meet the metabolic needs of aerobic (oxygen breathing) microorganisms in water that is rich in organic matter (such as water polluted with sewage). Biomethane: A mixture of carbon dioxide and methane which is the product of the bacterial decomposition of vegetable and animal wastes. Biosolids Recycling: Biosolids, dewatered and sanitized sludge, can be applied to land as a valuable soil amendment on crops, or used in land reclamation products and as forest fertilization. Carbon Offsets: Carbon offsets are used to reduce the amount of carbon that an organization or individual emits into the atmosphere. Instead of reducing their own carbon use, they purchase an offset from an independent organization and the money is then used to fund a project that reduces carbon in the atmosphere. Carbon Positive: The process of offsetting the amount of carbon produced by an activity with other projects, such as tree planting, or carbon reductions through energy efficiency. See also Carbon Neutral. Collection Sewers: Each house or business that connects to a sewer in the CRD Region has a pipe that is connected to a network of underground pipes and pump stations that carry the wastewater to a processing or treatment facility. Compact Ballasted Flocculation: A treatment process in which continuously recycled media and various additives are used to improve the settling properties of suspended solids in order to quickly form floating clusters of microbial organisms. As a result, flows can be treated at a significantly higher rate than allowed by traditional unit processes. Ecosystem: A life supporting, interdependent system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment.

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Effluent: Wastewater which has been separated from solids turns into effluent. Filtration: In tertiary treatment, a higher degree of treatment is required, so that effluent may be used in irrigation. Filtration occurs with the help of sand and crushed coal, which remove small solid particles. Integrated Energy Management: The combined management of solid and liquid waste streams on one site, allowing for maximum beneficial reuse and energy recovery. A future energy centre for the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Program could combine biosolids digestion with food waste or fats, oils and greases (FOG); producing a coal substitute and capturing biogas, biomethane and heat. Additionally, processed biosolids could be used as a soil amendment. Membrane Technology: Membrane technology separates treated liquid from the bacterial cells grown in solids processing tanks by membrane filtration. Some bacteria may be returned to the biological treatment stage. The rest are sent to solids treatment with the potential of being used as biosolids. See also Biosolids Recycling. Odour Control: Foul air can be collected using a variety of means, and odours can be removed using chemical and biological treatments. Pumping Systems: Most sanitary sewers move wastewater downhill by gravity to the wastewater treatment facility. In some situations, special pumps are needed to force the wastewater uphill into the facility. Pumps must be able to handle the debris, such as rocks, sand or paper, that wastewater can contain. Process Control: The operation of complex wastewater treatment plant processes requires monitoring and testing on a continuous basis. A plant's laboratory is used for testing the quality of water as it passes through each process, as well as the sludge quality as it passes through solids handling processes. Lab data is also used to ensure compliance with regulations concerning wastewater in the CRD Region. Resource Recovery: Re-use or extraction of resources (e.g. water) or energy (e.g. heat) from a waste stream. Secondary Treatment: A level of wastewater treatment beyond primary treatment. Typically involves biological reduction in concentrations of particulate and dissolved oxygen-demanding pollutants. Settling Tank: Primary treatment settling tanks provide an efficient process for the removal of solids that are heavy and will sink to the bottom, as well as materials that float to the surface, such as oil and grease. Settling tanks are designed to hold wastewater for several hours. Sludge: In secondary treatment, heavy solids in wastewater fall to the bottom of settling tanks, where they become a thick slurry known as sludge. Sludge is then pumped or trucked to a solids treatment plant where it is processed into biosolids. See also Biosolids Recycling. Solids Processing: The concentrated solids, or sludge produced in a wastewater plant contain some

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solids and mostly water. Further dewatering is needed to turn this sludge into biosolids. To do this, settling is first used to further concentrate the solids. Second, the sludge undergoes digestion. Large tanks are used to mix and heat the solids. Microorganisms present in the solids use the organic material as a food source and convert it to byproducts such as methane gas. It is this gas, after being processed into biogas, which can be used as another energy source. Digestion results in stabilized biosolids that can be recycled. Filter presses and centrifuges can further dewater the biosolids after they have been digested. Thermal Energy: A means, or a flow, of the energy that is moving from one system or state to another. Thermal energy is the difference in temperature that occurs as the energy moves. Total Suspended Solids (TSS): Solids in water that can be trapped by a filter. TSS can include a wide variety of organic and inorganic material, such as silt, decaying plant and animal matter, industrial wastes, and sewage. High concentrations can lower water quality by absorbing light, making the water warmer and reducing its ability to hold oxygen necessary for aquatic life. Because aquatic plants also receive less light, photosynthesis decreases and less oxygen is produced. Triple Bottom Line Analysis: A method to evaluate the cost and benefits of alternatives across a spectrum of social, economic and environmental attributes. Water Reuse: Treated effluent can be reused for industrial processes, for irrigation of crops or golf courses, and even as a non-potable water source for toilet flushing in homes and institutions. Reclaimed water that is used for irrigation can provide valuable nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, to the crops being grown.

References http://www.wastewatermadeclear.ca/what/glossary.htm

http://www.wastewatermadeclear.ca/what/glossary.htm#effluenthttp://www.wastewatermadeclear.ca/what/glossary.htm

Wastewater Treatment Events

Conferences

Canadian Wastewater Management Conference (CWWA) www.cwwa.ca

Drinking Water Leadership Summit www.drinkingwaterleadershipsummit.ca/

ESSA WATERtech www.esaa-events.com/watertech/

FCM Annual Conference www.fcm.ca

IWA Specialized Membrane Technology Conference for Water and Wastewater Treatment and Reuse http://www.mtc2013.org/

OGWA Annual Convention http://www.ogwa.ca/

ROMA/OGRA Combined Conference http://www.combinedconference.org/index.html

TRIECA Conference http://www.trieca.com/

U of Waterloo Water Research Symposium http://water.uwaterloo.ca/symposium/

WEAO Annual Conference & OPCEA Exhibition http://www.weao.org/annual-conference

WEFTEC www.weftec.org/

http://www.drinkingwaterleadershipsummit.ca/http://www.esaa-events.com/watertech/http://www.fcm.ca/documents/members_only/2013_AC_Trade_Show_Overview_EN.pdfhttp://www.mtc2013.org/http://www.ogwa.ca/cmsja1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=211http://www.combinedconference.org/index.htmlhttp://www.trieca.com/http://water.uwaterloo.ca/symposium/http://www.weao.org/annual-conferencehttp://www.weftec.org/

Wastewater Treatment Publications

PUBLICATIONS

Canadian Municipal Water News & Review Canadian Water Treatment Everything About Water International Desalination & Water Reuse Quarterly International Journal of Environmental and Waste Management Journal AWWA Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation Journal of Water and Climate Change Journal of Water and Health Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development Journals of Hazardous Materials Journals of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Keeping Wastewater Treatment Contained and Portable Municipal Sewer and Water Opflow Online Solid Waste and Recycling Magazine Source Water and Sanitation News Science The Open Waste Management Journal Treatment Plant Operator Water 21: Magazine of International Water Association Water and Sewerage Journal Water Asset Management International Water Canada Waters Next WaterLink Magazine Water Practice and Technology Water Policy Water Quality Research Journal of Canada Water Research Water Science & Technology: Water Supply Water-Sewage Water System Operator Magazine Water Today Water Utility Management International Water Well Journal World Water

Wastewater Social Media Pages

Groups to Join & Pages to Follow

LinkedIn Groups Engineering Project Managers Global Water Group Hazardous & Industrial Waste Management Industrial Wastewater Treatment Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Industrial Water Recycling Landfill Groundwater Monitoring Landfill Technologies Municipal Engineers - Networking Group Recycling and Waste Management Professionals Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Sustainability Professionals Waste Management & Recycling Professionals Water Professionals Wastewater Professionals Wastewater/Water Treatment Plant Operations & Maintenance Water and Wastewater Jobs (WWJ) Twitter @WasteManagement @CleanWaterNews @WMCareers @IEArecycling

Wastewater Training Opportunities

Water/ Wastewater Treatment/ Municipal Training

American Society of Civil Engineers Water Treatment Webinars http://www.asce.org/archived-webinars/

EPIC Environmental Training http://www.epic-edu.com/courses.asp?Discipline=ENV

Global Innovative Campus Wastewater Training http://www.gic-edu.com/courses.aspx?id=21

Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) Wastewater Training http://www.ogra.org/Education/CoursesandWorkshops/WaterWastewaterTrainingProgram.aspx

Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) Wastewater Training - http://www.ospe.on.ca/events/event_list.asp

University of Toronto School of Environment http://learn.environment.utoronto.ca/home/in-class-courses/water-auditing.aspx

Wastewater Software

SOFTWARE

AutoCAD Civil 3D and Land Desktop Database Applications FlowMaster

GIS, ArcGIS HEC-RAS InRoads LDD Microstation MS Office SoftDesk StormCAD

VO2

Wastewater Professional Associations

Wastewater Treatment Professional Associations

Atlantic Canada Water and Wastewater Association Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA) Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office Ontario Water Works Associations Onsite Wastewater Professionals in Ontario Ontario Waste Management Association Water Environment Association of Ontario WCOWMA Onsite Wastewater Management Association of BC Western Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association