Environmental · Wastewater

Small Wastewater Treatment Plant Design

Advanced 6 weeks 50-60 hours

Size the screens, clarifiers, aeration tank, and disinfection for a town of 5,000 people, then draw a full process flow diagram.

Major

Environmental

Focus area

Wastewater

Total hours

50-60 hours

What you'll need

  • Software only - Excel, Ten States Standards (free), draw.io or AutoCAD student version

Steps

  1. Estimate average and peak design flow for 5,000 people.
  2. Set influent assumptions for BOD, TSS, and ammonia.
  3. Size the bar screen, grit chamber, and primary clarifier.
  4. Size the aeration tank using SRT and food-to-microorganism ratio, and estimate oxygen demand.
  5. Size the secondary clarifier and chlorine contact tank, then draw the process flow diagram.
  6. Compile a design summary and document it for your portfolio.

What to photograph for your portfolio

  • Process flow diagram
  • design summary table
  • calculation pages
  • plant layout sketch

Resume bullet starters

Copy one, then swap in your own numbers.

  • Designed a [X] MGD wastewater treatment plant for a population of 5,000, sizing [X] unit processes to design standards

  • Sized an activated sludge aeration basin at [X] gallons with an SRT of [X] days to meet effluent limits

  • Quantified results with [insert your result, such as removal percentage, accuracy, strength, or cost savings] and summarized findings in a technical report

Skills you'll show off

Wastewater process designdesign standardsmass balancesengineering calculationsprocess flow diagrams

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