This weekend workshop will help you rethink wastewater. Using one of Yestermorrow’s existing facilities as a case study, students will redesign its wastewater system from the groundwater up. In two days we will cover system analysis, site investigation, permitting, treatment options, design basics and material selection. The course will also cover design history and current design theory. We hope to answer your questions regarding source separation, composting toilets, and nutrient cycling.  After completing the course, students will be able to identify the major components of a wastewater treatment system and size individual treatment unit processes.

Note: This class begins Friday evening at 7pm.

Earn college credit through UVM:  This course is available for credit through the University of Vermont (ENVS 95, 1 credit).  In-state tuition is $414, plus a non-refundable $100 program fee to Yestermorrow. Click here for UVM registration information.

  • Competency Level: All Levels
  • AIA credits: 16 -- Qualifies for HSW and SD requirements.
  • UVM credits: 1

Course Objectives

Students will be introduced to the basic principals of domestic wastewater treatment with natural systems. Students will explore the major design considerations including treatment requirements, process flow diagrams, and process selection. After completing the course, students will be able to identify the major components of a natural wastewater treatment systems and size individual treatment unit processes.

Suggested Readings

EPA Design Manual - Constructed Wetlands and Aquatic Plant Systems for Municipal Wastewater Treatment. Online at: www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/design.pdf
Oasis Greywater Manual. Online at: www.oasisdesign.net
Ecological Sanitation. Online at: www2.gtz.de/ecosan/download/sida-ecosan-en.pdf
Crites, R. W. and G. Tchobanoglous (1998) Small and Decentralized Wastewater Management Systems. WCB McGraw-Hill. Boston.
Your current state regulations: www.nesc.wvu.edu/nsfc/nsfc_regulations_agencies.htm

If you are in Vermont - www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/ww/EngServ.htm#Rules

Materials/Tools to Bring

  • Students should bring a binder for organizing course notes and handouts
  • Writing instruments
  • Pad of paper
  • Handheld calculator
  • Scale/ruler

Draft Schedule/Outline:

Friday

  • 7:00 pm Introduction &course overview
  • 8:30pm The nature and properties of domestic wastewater
  • Constituents and flowrates of wastewater
  • Design history and current theory
  • 9:30pm End is a short video clip / slideshow

Saturday

  • 9:00am Process flow diagrams
  • Primary treatment
  • Secondary treatment
  • Nutrient removal
  • Pathogen removal
  • Effluent dispersal
  • 11:00am Design considerations
  • Site factors
  • Permitting requirements
  • System hydraulics and natural limitations
  • 1:00pm Site review and walk through
  • 3:00pm Selection and design of treatment processes
  • Loading rates
  • Design factors
  • Sizing unit processes
  • Specifications
  • 5:00pm Design challenge

Sunday

  • 9:00am Design options
  • 11:00am Questions on individual projects
  • 3:00pm Summary and course evaluation
Start Date: June 25, 2010
Closed