pH vs Alkalinity in Wastewater & Drinking Water Treatment
The Wastewater Enthusiast
4,271 views
Welcome! I’m a California Grade 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and Chief Plant Operator. I also hold a CA D3 Drinking Water Distribution Operator Certificate and a CA T2 Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate.
In this tutorial, we break down the difference between pH and alkalinity in both wastewater and drinking water treatment. You’ll learn:
How pH and alkalinity interact — and why they’re not the same
How to measure pH accurately
What levels of alkalinity are needed for different treatment processes
A unique metal-temperature metaphor to help you visualize the difference
Real-world examples from anaerobic digesters, aeration basins, and chlorine disinfection
This video is perfect for wastewater operator exam prep (Grades III–V, Class A & B), and anyone wanting to understand how pH and alkalinity control affect process stability and disinfection.
Chapters
00:00 – 01:08 pH vs Alkalinity Overview
01:08 – 05:20 pH Scale Explained
05:20 – 08:12 What Is Alkalinity?
08:12 – 09:43 Metal & Temperature Metaphor
09:43 – 12:13 Anaerobic Digester Example
12:13 - 13:36 Aeration Process Example
13:36 – 16:07 Chlorine Disinfection Example
16:07 – 16:26 Wrap-Up
Links:
Wastewater Anaerobic Digestion Part 1: Exam Prep and Repairing the Supernatant Return Line
Wastewater Anaerobic Digestion Part 1: Ex...
Wastewater Whiteboard: Nitrification/Denitrification Exam Prep and Ops Scenarios Part 1 (BNR)
Wastewater Nitrification & Denitrification...
#pH #alkalinity #wastewatertreatment #wastewateroperator #anaerobicdigestion #drinkingwatertreatment #operatorcertification #buffercapacity #nitrification #activatedsludge #disinfection
11 Comments
You explain the stuff they is important to me. I can't think of a greater good than clean and safe water for people, plants and animals.
Seems like the best and most important job in this world.
Thanks again.
Also you clearly explain the log scale there that teachers often assume we were taught or know.
Wrap that aluminum foil in paper and see how fast temp drops or use equal weights (mass).
Once one grasps the concept it's not easily forgotten. Our instructor back in A-school approached the subject from that prospective and its been with me since.
pH vs Alkalinity in Wastewater & Drinking Water Treatment
The Wastewater Enthusiast
4,271 views
Welcome! I’m a California Grade 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and Chief Plant Operator. I also hold a CA D3 Drinking Water Distribution Operator Certificate and a CA T2 Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate.
In this tutorial, we break down the difference between pH and alkalinity in both wastewater and drinking water treatment. You’ll learn:
How pH and alkalinity interact — and why they’re not the same
How to measure pH accurately
What levels of alkalinity are needed for different treatment processes
A unique metal-temperature metaphor to help you visualize the difference
Real-world examples from anaerobic digesters, aeration basins, and chlorine disinfection
This video is perfect for wastewater operator exam prep (Grades III–V, Class A & B), and anyone wanting to understand how pH and alkalinity control affect process stability and disinfection.
Chapters
00:00 – 01:08 pH vs Alkalinity Overview
01:08 – 05:20 pH Scale Explained
05:20 – 08:12 What Is Alkalinity?
08:12 – 09:43 Metal & Temperature Metaphor
09:43 – 12:13 Anaerobic Digester Example
12:13 - 13:36 Aeration Process Example
13:36 – 16:07 Chlorine Disinfection Example
16:07 – 16:26 Wrap-Up
Links:
Wastewater Anaerobic Digestion Part 1: Exam Prep and Repairing the Supernatant Return Line
Wastewater Anaerobic Digestion Part 1: Ex...
Wastewater Whiteboard: Nitrification/Denitrification Exam Prep and Ops Scenarios Part 1 (BNR)
Wastewater Nitrification & Denitrification...
#pH #alkalinity #wastewatertreatment #wastewateroperator #anaerobicdigestion #drinkingwatertreatment #operatorcertification #buffercapacity #nitrification #activatedsludge #disinfection