Water Break

Water Break


The Water Break Podcast, Episode 1: Wastewater Nitrification and Denitrification

June 16, 2020

“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers”

In our first podcast episode, host Heather Jennings, PE, discusses the wastewater nitrification-denitrification cycle with two guests, John Souza and Diego Lopez. John Souza is Utilities Manager for the City of Lemoore, California. He is also a Grade T-4 Water Operator, Grade 3 Wastewater Operator, and D-3 Distribution Operator. Diego Lopez, also with the City of Lemoore, is a Grade 2 Wastewater Operator working toward his Grade 3 exam.

Nitrification-denitrification is the great “teeter-totter” of wastewater treatment. Nitrogen is one of the most abundant elements on earth, so why do we spend millions of dollars removing it from water? And how do we do it?

Podcast reference:

Circle of Life (Official Video from "The Lion King")

Podcast reference for Wanda’s Water Tidbit:

Biomonitoring Drinking Water Quality in Poland Based on Clams

Supplemental reading:

Heather’s blog post: Nitrification 101
Heather’s blog post: Nitrification and Denitrification in Wastewater Activated Sludge