The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

Biosolids (sewage sludge) are the nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from treatment and processing of wastewater residuals. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that publicly owned wastewater treatment works (POTW) generate over 8 million tons (dry weight) of sewage sludge annually. New sewage sludge regulations reduces options for disposal and rising energy costs are causing a new wave of technologies to be introduced into this market. New equipment is being developed and tested at a record pace. Wastewater treatment plants and engineers are involved with evaluating the latest and best technologies for this changing industry.

The study material provides information on new technologies entering the market. This EPA sponsored report looks at technologies for conditioning, thickening, stabilizing, dewatering thermal conversion and drying of biosolids. It presents the state of development, available cost information, associated contact names, and related data sources for each technology.

This course provides the student an opportunity to look at and evaluate the latest biosolids technologies entering the market. The course is suitable for a student with basic wastewater treatment knowledge or for an advanced student that needs to evaluate new and emerging alternative biosolids management technologies.

The student is expected to read and review the material contained in the EPA Document, EPA 832-R-06-005, Emerging Technologies for Biosolids Management.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of thirty (30) questions at the end of this course to obtain 6 PDH credits.

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.

Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).