All wastewater treatment plants will experience operating problems from time to time, and some plants a lot more than others. Very few activated sludge plants have been completely free from foaming and bulking problems at some time and other plants suffer these problems on a routine basis. In a similar way poor solids removal, inefficient BOD removal, odour problems, inhibition and toxicity can all occur on a seemingly random basis. Routine sampling and chemical analysis from this is expensive, demanding and its interpretation is not always clear. By contrast microscopic examination of the microbial consortium in the treatment plant is simple, inexpensive and provides extensive information as to the likely causes of plant problems. The results can also be used to optimize the performance of the plant to ensure that effluent is as good as the plant is able to produce and that energy costs and sludge production are at a minimum.This paperback book with detailed contents of the training course is given to all delegates. ProgrammeThe ProtozoaIntroduction to floc morphology and protozoaWhat are they?What conditions do they like/dislikeWhat they tell us about the process conditionsWhich protozoa are healthy for the plantLab sessionUsing the microscopeFloc structureProtozoa identificationFilament numbersInterpreting the results of microscopic examination   Health of the plant,Changes that may have occurred in the influent,Process conditions (F/M, sludge age),Problems with the process (low O2, under/overloading,Nutrient deficiency,ToxicityThe FilamentsFilament identification    Filament characteristics on wet mountsCell size, shape, filament width, length, branching etc.Staining, Gram, Neisser, sulphur       Lab sessionMethods for identifying speciesFilament characteristics on wet mountsIdentification chartsStained filament characteristicsGram and Neisser StainingControl strategies for filamentous bacteria                  Chemical and physical strategiesChlorinationPACSpray jettingDesign considerations to eliminate filamentsselectorsfloc loadingplug flow reactors