Careers in Chemistry
Wastewater Treatment Chemist
The main purpose of the wastewater chemist is to ensure treated water meets state and federal government regulations before it is released into the environment. The wastewater chemist performs tests on the treated wastewater and keeps records that are reported to the government monthly. These records are required to keep the plant in compliance with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. A number of NPDES permit program areas affect how a facility handles its sanitary wastewater and storm water runoff. Properly managed facilities, such as publicly owned treatment works, and wastewater systems, such as separate and combined storm sewer systems, play an important role in protecting community health and local water quality. Some of the test performed include: fecal coli-forms (bacterial testing), Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD), total suspended solids, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, pH, and chlorine. Other samples are collected at the plant, and then sent to other labs for completion. These test include: metals, cyanide, WET (test for toxicity to aquatic life), and microbiological test on bio-solids. The chemist performs these tests to prevent harmful pollutants from being released into the environment. The wastewater chemist also works with the pretreatment to sample and test for metals and organics, such as pesticides and industrial chemicals. Another role of the wastewater laboratory is to provide treatment plant personnel with information and data valuable to the operation of the plant. By monitoring the wastewater throughout the entire treatment process, the lab can provide analytical data that affects plant operational decisions.
References:
http://www.sacwsd.org/wastewater.html
http://www.bgc-isc.com/port_env_frito.php
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