Physico-Chemical Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals

Clean water is one of our most precious resources, and treating wastewater is critical for environmental protection and public health. This course provides a clear, step-by-step introduction to the physical and chemical methods used to purify municipal and industrial wastewater. You will gain a solid understanding of how to select, design, and analyze key treatment processes, transitioning from basic water chemistry to advanced filtration and oxidation techniques. What you'll learn: • Understand foundational water chemistry principles, including pH, alkalinity, and pollutant characteristics. • Apply physical separation techniques such as sedimentation, coagulation, and flocculation. • Analyze chemical treatment methods including precipitation, disinfection, and advanced oxidation. • Evaluate modern membrane filtration processes like reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration. • Design basic process flows for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. • Explore emerging trends in resource recovery and sustainable zero-liquid discharge practices. The course starts with key terminology and water quality parameters before guiding you through physical separation, chemical reactions, and modern advanced treatment technologies. This text-only course is designed for beginners, environmental engineering students, and plant operators seeking a clear, foundational understanding of wastewater chemistry and physics with no advanced prerequisites. Start reading today to build your expertise in modern wastewater treatment technologies.