Wastewater Treatment Processes and Technologies

Overview of Wastewater Treatment 

• Wastewater characteristics
• Discharge permits, regulations
• Treatment processes and definitions

Headworks and Preliminary/Primary Treatment

• Wastewater flow rates and metering
• Screening, compaction, grit removal
• Primary clarification

Activated Sludge Systems

• Biological treatment principles
• BOD and nutrient removal
• Process configurations
• Final clarification
• Design and operation
• Wet weather management

Other Biological Treatment Processes

• Membrane bioreactors (MBRs)
• Fixed film & hybrid processes
• Recycle treatment
• Wastewater treatment plants of the future

Effluent Disinfection

• Chlorine
• Ultraviolet light
• Ozone
• Typical permit requirements

Solids Treatment, Aerobic Digestion, Anaerobic Digestion

• Typical process trains
• Thickening and dewatering
• Aerobic and Anaerobic Digestion – principles and technologies
• Single-stage mesophilic, TPAD, and other approaches
• Pros and cons of different processes

Industrial Treatment Considerations

• Industrial wastewater characteristics
• Treatment options

Wastewater Treatment Costs

• Estimating project capital costs, O&M costs
• Customer charges and rates
• Benchmarks, examples, factors that affect cost

Smaller-scale Plants: Processes and Considerations

• Technology options for smaller plants
• Operating and maintenance considerations
• Economic challenges for local governments

Plant Operations

• Meeting discharge permits
• Standard operating procedures 
• Instrumentation and control
• Operations management and troubleshooting

Design Workshop and Exercises

• Participants will examine treatment plant scenarios, perform calculations, identify alternatives, and discuss solutions

This course is part of the Wastewater Systems Certificate. Course may be taken individually as well.

Registration Date/Time:
9/23/2025 8:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 9/23/2025  9:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 9/24/2025  9:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 9/25/2025  9:00am - 5:00pm Central Time

This is a HyFlex (in-person and online) taught course. Your registration is for one teaching platform only: in-person or online. Please be prepared to attend all days either in-person or online. Contact us before registering if you have any questions. 

Registration confirmation will guide students through accessing the Canvas course site. Students will create and log in to the Canvas course site with a NetID. Course assets such as participation certificates and course evaluations will be available to all students through the Canvas course site.

Online attendees will access course sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform.

• Program Director

  Adib Amini

• Instructors

  Alan Grooms

  Alan Grooms, PE, is Operations Manager at the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, where he oversees treatment and process control strategies for the 42-MGD Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. He has more than 20 years of experience in wastewater treatment operations, design, and equipment, and his technical papers have been recognized with the CSWEA Radebaugh Award.
  

• Instructors

  Alan Grooms

  Alan Grooms, PE, is Operations Manager at the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, where he oversees treatment and process control strategies for the 42-MGD Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. He has more than 20 years of experience in wastewater treatment operations, design, and equipment, and his technical papers have been recognized with the CSWEA Radebaugh Award.
  

  Matthew Castillo

  Project Engineer

  Matt Castillo is a wastewater process engineer and project manager at MSA Professional Services. He has 18 years of experience planning and designing municipal wastewater facilities, managing small community projects, troubleshooting process and operational issues, and conducting phosphorus and water reuse filter studies. In 2017, he received the Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal from WEF.

• Instructors

  Alan Grooms

  Alan Grooms, PE, is Operations Manager at the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, where he oversees treatment and process control strategies for the 42-MGD Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. He has more than 20 years of experience in wastewater treatment operations, design, and equipment, and his technical papers have been recognized with the CSWEA Radebaugh Award.
  

  Matthew Castillo

  Project Engineer

  Matt Castillo is a wastewater process engineer and project manager at MSA Professional Services. He has 18 years of experience planning and designing municipal wastewater facilities, managing small community projects, troubleshooting process and operational issues, and conducting phosphorus and water reuse filter studies. In 2017, he received the Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal from WEF.

  Glen Daigger

  Senior Vice President

  Dr. Daigger is currently Professor of Engineering Practice at the University of Michigan and President and Founder of One Water Solutions, LLC, a water engineering and innovation firm.  He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for CH2M HILL (now Jacobs) where he was employed for 35 years, as well as Professor and Chair of Environmental Systems Engineering at Clemson University.  He has authored more than 200 technical papers, five books, and several technical manuals and has advised many of the major cites of the world, including New York, Los Angles, San Francisco, Detroit, Singapore, Hong Kong, Istanbul, and Beijing.  A Past President of the International Water Association (IWA), he is also a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineers and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

• Instructors

  Alan Grooms

  Alan Grooms, PE, is Operations Manager at the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, where he oversees treatment and process control strategies for the 42-MGD Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. He has more than 20 years of experience in wastewater treatment operations, design, and equipment, and his technical papers have been recognized with the CSWEA Radebaugh Award.
  

  Matthew Castillo

  Project Engineer

  Matt Castillo is a wastewater process engineer and project manager at MSA Professional Services. He has 18 years of experience planning and designing municipal wastewater facilities, managing small community projects, troubleshooting process and operational issues, and conducting phosphorus and water reuse filter studies. In 2017, he received the Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal from WEF.

  Glen Daigger

  Senior Vice President

  Dr. Daigger is currently Professor of Engineering Practice at the University of Michigan and President and Founder of One Water Solutions, LLC, a water engineering and innovation firm.  He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for CH2M HILL (now Jacobs) where he was employed for 35 years, as well as Professor and Chair of Environmental Systems Engineering at Clemson University.  He has authored more than 200 technical papers, five books, and several technical manuals and has advised many of the major cites of the world, including New York, Los Angles, San Francisco, Detroit, Singapore, Hong Kong, Istanbul, and Beijing.  A Past President of the International Water Association (IWA), he is also a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineers and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

  Adib Amini

  Program Director

  Adib Amini, Ph.D., PE, ENV SP, BCEE serves as Program Director in the College of Engineering’s Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs, with a focus on Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Sustainability. Dr. Amini also works with cities and industries as an engineering consultant, with experience in both drinking water and wastewater treatment. Dr. Amini has expertise in sustainability, engineering design, technology innovation, and renewable energy. Dr. Amini’s work has included the design of novel technologies, including on-site energy systems at facilities. He spearheaded the designs for the first wastewater treatment facilities in Iowa that are 100% powered by on-site renewable energy systems. Dr. Amini invented a novel system for ventilation of rated spaces, such as wastewater headworks buildings, for which he holds a provisional patent. Dr. Amini also has performed award-winning research in technology innovation and sustainability. Dr. Amini has spoken widely at conferences on topics related to water/wastewater treatment, sustainability, PFAS, on-site energy systems, and resilient infrastructure.

• Instructors

  Alan Grooms

  Alan Grooms, PE, is Operations Manager at the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, where he oversees treatment and process control strategies for the 42-MGD Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. He has more than 20 years of experience in wastewater treatment operations, design, and equipment, and his technical papers have been recognized with the CSWEA Radebaugh Award.
  

  Matthew Castillo

  Project Engineer

  Matt Castillo is a wastewater process engineer and project manager at MSA Professional Services. He has 18 years of experience planning and designing municipal wastewater facilities, managing small community projects, troubleshooting process and operational issues, and conducting phosphorus and water reuse filter studies. In 2017, he received the Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal from WEF.

  Glen Daigger

  Senior Vice President

  Dr. Daigger is currently Professor of Engineering Practice at the University of Michigan and President and Founder of One Water Solutions, LLC, a water engineering and innovation firm.  He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for CH2M HILL (now Jacobs) where he was employed for 35 years, as well as Professor and Chair of Environmental Systems Engineering at Clemson University.  He has authored more than 200 technical papers, five books, and several technical manuals and has advised many of the major cites of the world, including New York, Los Angles, San Francisco, Detroit, Singapore, Hong Kong, Istanbul, and Beijing.  A Past President of the International Water Association (IWA), he is also a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineers and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

  Adib Amini

  Program Director

  Adib Amini, Ph.D., PE, ENV SP, BCEE serves as Program Director in the College of Engineering’s Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs, with a focus on Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Sustainability. Dr. Amini also works with cities and industries as an engineering consultant, with experience in both drinking water and wastewater treatment. Dr. Amini has expertise in sustainability, engineering design, technology innovation, and renewable energy. Dr. Amini’s work has included the design of novel technologies, including on-site energy systems at facilities. He spearheaded the designs for the first wastewater treatment facilities in Iowa that are 100% powered by on-site renewable energy systems. Dr. Amini invented a novel system for ventilation of rated spaces, such as wastewater headworks buildings, for which he holds a provisional patent. Dr. Amini also has performed award-winning research in technology innovation and sustainability. Dr. Amini has spoken widely at conferences on topics related to water/wastewater treatment, sustainability, PFAS, on-site energy systems, and resilient infrastructure.

  John Siczka

  Senior Technologist & Wet Weather Treatment

  John Siczka, PE, is a global principal and wet weather treatment leader with Jacobs. He has more than 20 years’ experience in project design, planning, treatment technology evaluation, pilot testing, odor control, regulatory review, permit negotiations, and managing environmental operations.

• Instructors

  Alan Grooms

  Alan Grooms, PE, is Operations Manager at the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, where he oversees treatment and process control strategies for the 42-MGD Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. He has more than 20 years of experience in wastewater treatment operations, design, and equipment, and his technical papers have been recognized with the CSWEA Radebaugh Award.
  

  Matthew Castillo

  Project Engineer

  Matt Castillo is a wastewater process engineer and project manager at MSA Professional Services. He has 18 years of experience planning and designing municipal wastewater facilities, managing small community projects, troubleshooting process and operational issues, and conducting phosphorus and water reuse filter studies. In 2017, he received the Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal from WEF.

  Glen Daigger

  Senior Vice President

  Dr. Daigger is currently Professor of Engineering Practice at the University of Michigan and President and Founder of One Water Solutions, LLC, a water engineering and innovation firm.  He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for CH2M HILL (now Jacobs) where he was employed for 35 years, as well as Professor and Chair of Environmental Systems Engineering at Clemson University.  He has authored more than 200 technical papers, five books, and several technical manuals and has advised many of the major cites of the world, including New York, Los Angles, San Francisco, Detroit, Singapore, Hong Kong, Istanbul, and Beijing.  A Past President of the International Water Association (IWA), he is also a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineers and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

  Adib Amini

  Program Director

  Adib Amini, Ph.D., PE, ENV SP, BCEE serves as Program Director in the College of Engineering’s Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs, with a focus on Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Sustainability. Dr. Amini also works with cities and industries as an engineering consultant, with experience in both drinking water and wastewater treatment. Dr. Amini has expertise in sustainability, engineering design, technology innovation, and renewable energy. Dr. Amini’s work has included the design of novel technologies, including on-site energy systems at facilities. He spearheaded the designs for the first wastewater treatment facilities in Iowa that are 100% powered by on-site renewable energy systems. Dr. Amini invented a novel system for ventilation of rated spaces, such as wastewater headworks buildings, for which he holds a provisional patent. Dr. Amini also has performed award-winning research in technology innovation and sustainability. Dr. Amini has spoken widely at conferences on topics related to water/wastewater treatment, sustainability, PFAS, on-site energy systems, and resilient infrastructure.

  John Siczka

  Senior Technologist & Wet Weather Treatment

  John Siczka, PE, is a global principal and wet weather treatment leader with Jacobs. He has more than 20 years’ experience in project design, planning, treatment technology evaluation, pilot testing, odor control, regulatory review, permit negotiations, and managing environmental operations.

  Jim Fisher

  Senior Technologist

  Jim Fisher, P.E., is a senior technologist with 35 years’ experience at Jacobs (formerly CH2M Hill), specializing in treatment processes for municipal wastewater and combined sewer overflow (CSO). He has led numerous phosphorus compliance projects, including those at Madison, Appleton, Waukesha, and others. He has significant experience with process selection; capacity evaluation and design using steady state and dynamic modeling, stress testing, and bench scale testing; detail process and mechanical design; construction inspection; and facility startup and operation.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from interpro@union.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.