Last week in our water treatment community, discussions centered around professional development and technical challenges. Members exchanged recommendations on CEU courses tailored for PFAS and MBR design, emphasizing the importance of staying current in these evolving fields. Technical conversations also delved into effective permanganate pre-oxidation dosing strategies, showcasing the depth of expertise within our community. Additionally, there was a lively debate on the best tools and equipment for those just starting in plant operations, highlighting the practical needs of newcomers.
This Week’s Hot Topics
Best CEU courses for PFAS and MBR design
Members shared their top picks for continuing education courses that focus on PFAS and MBR design, crucial for anyone looking to deepen their technical knowledge. Read more here
Permanganate pre-oxidation dosing help
A practical discussion emerged around optimizing permanganate dosing—a critical step in pre-oxidation processes. Read more here
Best portable turbidity meter for 24/7 use
Choosing the right turbidity meter for round-the-clock monitoring can be tricky. This thread offers firsthand reviews and recommendations. Read more here
CE options for PFAS plant design
Exploring educational opportunities for PFAS plant design, this thread underscores the importance of staying up-to-date with industry innovations. Read more here
Tools worth buying before my first plant job
For those entering the field, this discussion reveals which tools are considered must-haves before starting a plant job. Read more here
Looking forward to another week of engaging discussions. Your contributions make this community a valuable resource for all.
On new plant jobs, my must-have is a pocket ORP pen for permanganate — I target about 250–350 mV right after rapid-mix and tweak feed until the raw water loses color, ‘dose to demand.’ Small caveat: during iron spikes the ORP can mislead, so I pull a quick grab and check for faint pink carryover before locking the setpoint, @Leah.
And , nothing derails startup sampling like PFAS cross-contamination — my must-have is a PFAS kit with HDPE bottles, powder-free nitrile, and a taped-on “no Teflon” checklist so contractors don’t sneak in PTFE tape or coated clipboards. Those PFAS CEU courses are great, but in the field I stick to EPA’s do’s/don’ts and keep blanks cold and upright; it saved us on a pre-MBR pilot last month: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-analytical-methods. Anyone else tag their tool bags as PFAS-safe?
I reach for a pocket UV254 meter on new plant startups; it’s a quick way to sanity-check NOM swings so I can nudge permanganate or coagulant before the analyzers catch up. It’s like headlights for raw water at 6 a.m. — just watch for color/iron bias and ‘trust but verify’ with a TOC or quick DOC grab when you can.
During commissioning, @lee’s ORP cue is solid, but I always carry a handheld dissolved manganese colorimeter; it lets me catch Mn creep when pushing permanganate so I can trim feed before “pink water” headlines. Not a cure‑all — lab checks still matter — but it’s quick enough to keep adjustments on track.
When permanganate’s on the table, I always carry 0.45 µm syringe filters to do quick split samples — total vs dissolved Mn/Fe — so I know if I should bump oxidant or coagulant before trends settle. @mramir72, it’s the fastest “is it dissolved or flocking?” gut-check I’ve found; a portable particle counter is great too, but it’s pricey.