Earthwise Portal

Course ID		1485
Course Name		(BNR01) Nitrification and Denitrification - An Introduction to Nitrogen Removal

Sponsor Name		PA DEP: Training Section

Primary Contact		William J McNamara
		wmcnamara@pa.gov
		717-705-6350

Website		Partner Website

Description
As an owner, operator or local official affiliated with a wastewater treatment facility, it is imperative that you are familiar with the pollution limits established for your facility, as identified in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. One non-conventional pollutant of concern, which may be identified in your permit, is the nutrient, NITROGEN. Although nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant and algae growth, NPDES discharge limits are set to prevent the discharge of excessive quantities into receiving waters, since certain forms of nitrogen can adversely affect aquatic environment. In order to meet with wastewater effluent requirements of the NPDES permit for nitrogen, operators must understand how nitrogen enters the wastewater stream, how nitrogen is converted in the presence of typical wastewater organisms, and how to provide an environment within the wastewater treatment process that promotes the removal of toxic nitrogen by converting it to a less harmful form. This course is the first course in a series of courses on the removal of nitrogen in wastewater, using the biological processes of nitrification and denitrification.

Course Level		Basic thru Intermediate

Course Content
* Introduction to Wastewater Treatment * Forms of Nitrogen in Wastewater * Types of Microbial Organisms * Role of Nitrifying Bacteria in Nitrogen Conversion * Role of Denitrifying Bacteria in Nitrogen Conversion

Approved Industry		Wastewater

Target Audience
Wastewater treatment plant owners, operators or local officials.

Training Format		Distance Education

Type of Media
Web Based

Contact Hours		3.0