Laboratory & Water Quality

Introduction :  The Pure LabWater Guide is an essential resource for individuals who use pure water or wish to learn more about the subject. Providing an overview of water purification requirements, techniques and applications in science and medicine, this educational guide will enable you to choose the correct grade of water and most reliable method of production at an economical cost to both your budget and the environment.

INTRODUCTION The role of the wastewater treatment plant operator has become very important in the prevention of environmental degradation in Michigan. The operator is expected to optimize treatment to obtain the highest quality effluent possible as well as to demonstrate that the effluent is indeed within the set standards. The laboratory, of course, is essential to the operator in providing the data to meet these two goals. This manual was prepared by the MDNRE Operator Training and Certification Unit as a training tool to be used by those attending laboratory training courses presented by this unit. Included are procedures that meet governmental regulations for effluent monitoring as well as procedures to provide reliable data that can be used to make decisions in the day-to-day control of the treatment facility. Also included are a number of analytical methods that may be used to monitor influent levels of contaminants that would have a negative impact on treatment and the environment. This manual is not intended to replace other more extensive methods manuals but to be a clarification of many of the procedures specifically applicable to the wastewater treatment field. The procedures are presented in a step by step "cookbook" style. This provides an easy to follow and understandable format but any unusual conditions or applications may require reference to the other more general manuals. Many of the procedures meet the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program (NPDES) and may be used to demonstrate that effluent discharges meet applicable pollutant discharge limitations. Those that do meet these requirements are identified at the beginning of the procedure. Discussions of the significance as well as the means of treatment of several of the parameters are included in the manual. These are intended to help the operator understand the vital link between laboratory data and plant operations and control. Also included are several general discussions such as lab safety, sample handling and preservation, and laboratory quality assurance. Users of this manual are encouraged to read through these and follow the suggestions given to help ensure the highest possible reliability of the data generated in the lab.