Water Chemistry and Treatment Fundamentals

This course establishes the scientific and operational foundation for commercial water treatment technicians, focusing on the chemical, physical, and biological properties of raw and treated water supplies. Technicians learn to interpret standard analytical water profiles, evaluate parameters such as pH, alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, total dissolved solids, and oxidation-reduction potential, and perform routine field assays. Emphasis is placed on the equilibrium dynamics governing scale formation and corrosion mechanisms, utilizing standardized indices like the Langelier Saturation Index ($LSI$) and Ryznar Stability Index ($RSI$). Practical calculations covering unit conversions, mass balance, chemical dosing rates, and dilution principles are integrated throughout. Through structured laboratory exercises and a culminating capstone service project, students develop hands-on proficiency in sampling protocols, spectrophotometry, titrimetric procedures, and corrective action planning for commercial facilities without relying on proprietary platforms.

InstructorJacob Calhoun

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Lesson 1: Fundamentals of Commercial Water Sources, Hydrologic Systems, and Water Impuritieslecture

02Lesson 2: Physical Characteristics of Water, Temperature Relationships, and Suspended Solidslecture

03Lesson 3: Water Chemistry Units of Measure, Concentration Equivalents, and Mass Balance Mathlecture

04Hands-on Lab: Analytical Titration for Hardness and Alkalinity Determinationlab

05Lesson 5: Aqueous Solution Chemistry, pH Dynamics, and Carbonate-Bicarbonate Bufferinglecture

06Lesson 6: Dissolved Mineral Chemistry: Silica, Iron, Manganese, and Heavy Metal Ionslecture

07Lesson 7: Electrical Conductivity, Specific Conductance, Resistivity, and Dissolved Solidslecture

08Hands-on Lab: Benchtop Colorimetry, Spectrophotometry, and Turbidity Profilinglab

09Lesson 9: Dissolved Gases, Aeration Dynamics, and Oxidation-Reduction Potential ($ORP$)lecture

10Lesson 10: Thermodynamic Mineral Precipitation and Saturation Indices ($LSI$ and $RSI$)lecture

11Hands-on Lab: Electrochemical Corrosion Testing and Gravimetric Coupon Evaluationlab

12Lesson 12: Microbiological Contaminants, Planktonic Bacteria, and Sessile Biofilm Mechanicslecture

13Lesson 13: Technician Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, and Laboratory Profile Evaluationlecture

14Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Facility Water Quality Audit and Chemical Profileassignment

Syllabus

["Week 1: Lesson 1: Fundamentals of Commercial Water Sources, Hydrologic Systems, and Water Impurities", "Week 2: Lesson 2: Physical Characteristics of Water, Temperature Relationships, and Suspended Solids", "Week 3: Lesson 3: Water Chemistry Units of Measure, Concentration Equivalents, and Mass Balance Math", "Week 4: Hands-on Lab: Analytical Titration for Hardness and Alkalinity Determination", "Week 5: Lesson 5: Aqueous Solution Chemistry, pH Dynamics, and Carbonate-Bicarbonate Buffering", "Week 6: Lesson 6: Dissolved Mineral Chemistry: Silica, Iron, Manganese, and Heavy Metal Ions", "Week 7: Lesson 7: Electrical Conductivity, Specific Conductance, Resistivity, and Dissolved Solids", "Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Benchtop Colorimetry, Spectrophotometry, and Turbidity Profiling", "Week 9: Lesson 9: Dissolved Gases, Aeration Dynamics, and Oxidation-Reduction Potential ($ORP$)", "Week 10: Lesson 10: Thermodynamic Mineral Precipitation and Saturation Indices ($LSI$ and $RSI$)", "Week 11: Hands-on Lab: Electrochemical Corrosion Testing and Gravimetric Coupon Evaluation", "Week 12: Lesson 12: Microbiological Contaminants, Planktonic Bacteria, and Sessile Biofilm Mechanics", "Week 13: Lesson 13: Technician Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, and Laboratory Profile Evaluation", "Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Facility Water Quality Audit and Chemical Profile"]