On Tuesday, March 10th, Wastewater 101 was asked to do a training session for the Collection System Field Team, the Storm Water Field Team, the Plant Operators and the Pretreatment Inspectors.  The topic was the affects of Grease and Septicity from the collection system to the treatment plant to solids handling that is approved by the Indiana Department of Envirnomental Managment for three-technical hours of contact time.

The afternoon started with a tour of the Portage Water Pollution Control Facility and the guide, David Littleton (Pretreatment Field Coordinator) was very thorough while showing me the facility and talking about the fantastic job the employees have done to keep the plant in such great shape.  At first (as always) I thought he was just “talking up” the employees, but I was thrilled to see an oxidation ditch this time of year WITHOUT filamentous growth which proves he was NOT exaggerating.  Plus my hard drive just burned up taking all my wastewater photos (a 20 year collection) and I was so happy I was able to take photos as we walked around.

Following the tour I was taken to the Portage University Center (http://www.iun.edu/off-campus/index.htm) where the class was to take place.  What a wonderful training center the city of Portage has created with a smart room – overhead projector, white board (if needed), sound system if needed and plenty of tables and comfortable chairs.  I can’t say how nice this site was to hold training in.  I am used to treatment plant break rooms or maintenance shops, not that I mind at all, but this was just an unexpected treat.

With the mixture of fields I thought the class was going to go down hill very quickly with someone being bored or someone might fall asleep (started right after lunch), but I am happy to report everyone seemed to be interested and even asked questions about things they have seen out in the field or asked me to clarifiy what I was talking about.  I went away feeling that quite a few of them learned something new that day (besides a new joke) that would help them be the best Wastewater Hero they could be.

As always I want to Thank them for letting me be a part of their Future.  I hope to return for more training to the City of Portage and I hope they want me to come back.