Microbiology for Water Operations
Microbiology for Water Operations
In this course, we will look at all of the micro-organisms of interest to the Water professional. This course was developed for the drinking
water treatment & distribution operator, lab technician, engineering professional, manager & director, politician, maintenance and SCADA
technician, constructor/contractor, regulator/inspector or anyone who works within the drinking water industry. Even wastewater Treatment
and collection personnel will gain valuable knowledge from this course.
We’ll start with an overview of threats, mitigation and contamination history then proceed with a brief refresher of chemistry and biology.
This overview will provide a truncated, fat trimmed, Coles notes version of both of these imminence subjects. You’ll wish you had these
overviews in high school and college.
We go from the origin of the elements, through the structure of atoms, winding around a scientific view of water, dipping into acids and
bases before coming up into a summation and introduction to organic chemistry. Understanding the rules and properties of inanimate stuff
will help us understand the study of the animate stuff. This leads us into the subject of biology where we start at an explanation of
evolution and wind through the classification and naming structure of biology while we fly over cell types and land with a summation of the
energy or spark of life.
We’ll learn about bacteria, what they are, how they feed, reproduce and how they make us sick. We’ll gain an understanding of how they
are named, what shapes they come in and how we analyse for them. Before leaving the focused view of bacteria, we’ll review a number
of specific species and groups, 15 in total. These will include: E.coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Cholera as well as groups like iron
bacteria and the nitrifiers.
From bacteria, we move into viruses, protozoa and algae. Following an introduction we will look at each microb of interest to the drinking
water industry within that group. We’ll cover proper sampling techniques, the process of how various types of Microbiological tests are
conducted and a whole lot more. Take a look at the truncated tables of contents below.
All the information in this course is in layman’s terms. We’re not going to teach the internal structures of cells or make you memorize long
words or dates you’ll never use again. You will be provided pure, usable information with no (or at least very little) fluff.
For your Due Diligence, for your knowledge in your chosen profession, for the safety of our communities, every employee in the service of
the public water supply needs to know what this course teaches. Whether you’re an operator of 30yrs experience or 3 months, we
guarantee you will learn things you never knew but need to know.
Director Approved in Ontario (1.8 CEU’s) - Course Code 14376
Microbiology for Water Operations - $795.
(online - 1yr to complete)
On-Line Course - $795 - Taxes Included - 1yr to Complete
Unit 1
Table of Contents
Legal Disclaimer
Zoom
Introduction to e-Training
Quizzes
• Quizzes are Open Book
• Quiz Questions and Layout
Toolbar
Legend
Cheating
A Look at Memory Retention
Don’t Skip this!
Conclusion
Introduction to Microbiology for
Water Operations
Planktonic Algae
Filamentous Algae
What Were Going to Cover
A Brief History of Water Contamination
Multi-Barrier Paradigm
A Discussion on Risk
Infrastructure Risks
A Few Key Points
Introduction to Chemistry
Atoms and Molecules
Periodic Table of the Elements
Atomic Structure
Valance Electrons
Four Atomic Bonds
1 - Ionic bonding
2 - Covalent bonding
3 - Polar Bonding
4 - Hydrogen Bonding
Structure of H2O
The Unique Properties of Water
1 - Density of Water
2 - Phases of Water and the Triple Point
3 - Light & Sound & Electromagnetic
Absorption
4 - Specific Heat Capacity & Heat of
Vaporization
5 - Surface Tension and Capillary Action
Acids, Bases and pH
pH = -log[H+]
Buffers
Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs
Organic Chemistry - A Brief
Introduction
1 - Hydrocarbons
2 - Functional Groups
3 - Nomenclature & Structural Drawings
4 - Lipids (aka Fats)
Introduction to Biology
What is Life?
Evolution - What is it?
Classification of Life - Taxonomy
Two Empire System
YOU are a
Eukaryote!
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Two Empire System of Classification
Three Domains of Life
1 - Archaea
2 - Bacteria
3 - Eukaryotes
Three Domain System of Classification
Cellular Energy
ATP - ADP
Microbiology for Water Operations
Delivered through a PDF Manual and intelligent quizzing
Everything required is included on-line.
Enroll today, Complete today or take 1-year to complete from enrollment date, CEU’s registered with regulator within 72hrs
Course Developed and Delivered by Vaughan Martin
This course has met the requirements under O. Reg. 128/04 as Director Approved Continuing Education.
Covered in this Course
Unit 2
Table of Contents
Bacteria
Introduction
The Age of Bacteria
The Size of Life
Introduction to Bacteria - Discovery
Channel
What are Bacteria?
Hierarchy of Biological Classification
Metabolism of Bacteria
Metabolism
Bacterial Metabolism - Respiration
Facultative Anaerobe:
Anaerobic organism:
Aerobic organism:
A Few Key Points - Metabolism /
Respiration
Bacterial Metabolism - Food
AUTOTROPHS
HETROTROPHS
A Few Key Points - Food
Lifecycle, Growth & Reproduction
of Bacteria
Reproduction & Growth
Four Main Phases of Bacterial Growth
Growth Rates and Generation Time
Generation Times for various bacterium
Calculation of Generation Time
Cyst vs Oocyst
A Few Key Points - Reproduction
Shapes of Bacteria
Tools for the Classification of Bacteria
Introduction to Bacterial Shapes
The Size of Life
Shape of the Bacterial Cell
Coccus
Bacillus
Spiral
Filamentous Bacteria:
A Few Key Points
Gram Stain Classification
The Gram Stain method
Gram positive bacteria
Gram negative bacteria
Other Staining & Identification Methods
Genetic Identification
The Toxic Effects of Bacteria
Gram-Positive Exotoxins
Gram-negative Endotoxins
Boil Water Advisories
A Few Key Points
Bacteria - Meet the Organisms
Bacteria - Meet the Organisms
Escherichia coli or E.coli
Salmonella
Campylobacter
Interesting Groups of Bacteria
Meet 15 bacterial organisms and groups of
interest to the Water Industry
Unit 3
Table of Contents
Viruses, Protozoa, Algae & Biofilm
Introduction
Organism Overview
Viruses
Disinfection of UV
The Size of Life - Click picture to zoom
Complex
Polyhedral
Enveloped
Helical
Virus survival in water
Temperature
Light
A NOTE on UltraViolet Dosing Units:
pH
Treatment Advice
A Few Key Points
Sampling & Testing
Are Viruses Alive?
Protozoa aka Parasites
Metabolism
Resistance and Longevity
Treating for Protozoa
Disinfection with Ultra-Violet Analysis
Protozoa Classification and Occurrence
Cysts and Oocysts
Human Parasites - Protozoa
1993 Milwaukee Cryptosporidiosis
outbreak
A Few Key Points
Algae
Algal blooms
Algal toxins
Types of Algae:
Dinoflagellates
Cladophora
Multicellular Algae
Identifying your Algae Bloom
The Treatment Plant
Microcysistin Toxin
Microcystin Treatment
Planktonic
Filamentous
A Few Key Points
Biofilm
What is Biofilm?
Biofilm Nitrification within Distribution
Systems
Understanding Biofilm and Biofilm
Growth
The Treatment of Biofilm
Biofilm Conclusion
A Few Key Points
Unit 4
Table of Contents
Sampling, Analysis, Treatment &
Conclusion
Philosophy & Limitations in Sampling
Proper Sample Collection
Grab Samples vs. Composite Samples
Spatial & Temporal Considerations
Sample Size - Number of Samples
Volume of Samples
A Guide to Sample Collection for
Drinking Water
Sampling Guide
General Sampling Procedures
Specific Sampling Procedures
SAMPLING FOR - Bacteria
Tips for Total Coliform & E. coli Sampling
SAMPLING FOR - Protozoa
Sample Temperature & Site Chlorine
Analysis
Analysis for Microbiological
Parameters
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Standards of Laboratory Analysis
AWWA Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water & Wastewater
Field Chlorine Residual Analysis
DPD Method – Free Chlorine
Total Chlorine
DPD Method Advice:
Analysing for Bacteria
What is Agar?
Non Laboratory Bacterial Analysis
The Analysis of Non-Bac’ Microbiology
Protozoa
Virus
The Future of Microbiological Analysis
Membrane Filtration Technique
Advantages of the Membrane Filtration
Technique
Step by Step Membrane Procedure
Bio-Indicator Organisms
Types of Indicator Organisms in Drinking
Water
Culturing Bio-Indicators for Identification
The Coliforms
Total Coliform Group
Thermotolerant coliforms (aka fecal
coliforms)
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Heterotrophic Plate Count
HPC & Drinking Water Distribution
Systems
5 Factors favouring Coliform &
Heterotrophic
Organisms in Drinking Water
Filtration
Temperature
Disinfectant Residual
Corrosion Control & Pipe Material
Residence Time
Protecting Drinking Water from
Bacteria
Multi-Barrier Paradigm
Groundwater - Source Protection
Surface Water - Source Protection
Treatment of Drinking Water for
Microorganisms
Source Water Protection
Pre-Filtration
Filtration
Disinfection
Chlorination
Interesting Resistance Story
What is Chlorine?
Chlorine Gas / Liquid
Sodium Hypochlorite
Calcium Hypochlorite
Chlorine Dioxide
Breakpoint Chlorination
Disinfection Byproducts (DBP’s)
Hypochlorous and Hypochlorite
Ultra-Violet Disinfection
Ozone - O3
Treatment Conclusion