Hydraulic & Organic Loading
Calculating loading rates for clarifiers, filters, and aeration basins.
Be fluent converting between mgd, gpm, and cfs, and applying the 8.34 conversion factor (lbs/day = mg/L × MGD × 8.34); this appears in nearly every loading calculation.
Know both surface overflow rate (clarifiers) and organic loading rate (filters, basins) formulas cold — they're tested with different unit conventions across states.
Practice identifying whether a question is asking for a design check (comparing to a standard range) versus a straight calculation; exams often disguise the same formula as different question types.
Peaking factors and safety margins are common trick points — always confirm whether a question wants average or peak flow used in the calculation.
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