Activated Sludge Plant Operation Course
Online course of 300 hours in the operation of activated sludge plants. 6 modules covering the activated sludge process, operational control, operating problems, nutrient removal, and energy efficiency and modelling, applying Directive (EU) 2024/3019 and Royal Decree 509/1996 with BioWin, with an assigned technical tutor.
Activated Sludge Plant Operation Course — studying from New Zealand
Civil engineering is one of New Zealand's largest engineering employers, driven by the need for earthquake-resilient infrastructure, roading, water and wastewater systems across a seismically active country. Major projects include Auckland's City Rail Link and Wellington's transport upgrades, with rail maintained largely by KiwiRail. Engineers work for consultancies, contractors and councils, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment administers the Building Act and related standards, while Waka Kotahi manages the national land transport network.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$887 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
What is the recognition pathway for civil and rail engineers in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand administers Chartered Professional Engineer registration, which is the main recognised professional standard for civil engineers. Rail is regulated through the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Transport. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by a national body, so employers or the relevant body decide how much weight to give them.
Who hires civil, rail and smart city engineers in New Zealand?
Employers include city and regional councils, central government agencies, consultancies, contractors, and rail and transport operators. Smart city roles increasingly combine infrastructure knowledge with data and digital systems. Hiring usually depends on registration, experience and project records, so a private qualification is a supporting credential rather than a guaranteed entry point.
Will I need a visa, and how do fees and employer funding work?
No student visa is needed to study from home, because all programmes are 100% online and taught in English. Each programme includes an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300, so check the time commitment against your workload.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the microbiology and kinetics of the activated sludge process.
Control the key operating parameters of the plant.
Diagnose and correct problems such as bulking and foaming.
Optimise biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal.
Reduce aeration energy consumption.
Apply ASM models to simulate plant operation.
Prepare an operational improvement plan for a real plant.
Who it's for
- Wastewater treatment plant operators.
- WWTP process managers.
- Wastewater laboratory technicians.
- Process optimisation engineers.
- WWTP operations consultants.
- Discharge control technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to join WWTP operating companies.
What you'll work with
- Directive (EU) 2024/3019 (urban wastewater treatment)
- Royal Decree 509/1996 (implementing Royal Decree-Law 11/1995)
- Royal Decree-Law 11/1995 (rules applicable to urban wastewater treatment)
- Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA laboratory methods)
- UNE-EN 12255 (wastewater treatment plants)
- Royal Decree 1310/1990 (use of sewage sludge in agriculture)
- Royal Decree 664/1997 (protection against biological agents at work)
- BioWin
- Hydromantis GPS-X
- DESASS
- Plant SCADA
- Microsoft Excel
6 modules
1.1Microbiology of activated sludge1.2Flocculation and floc structure1.3Configurations: plug flow and complete mix1.4Sludge loading rate and sludge age1.5F/M ratio and sludge production1.6Oxygen requirements1.7Secondary settling and recirculation1.8Variants: extended aeration and SBR1.9Expected treatment performance1.10Case study: diagnosis of the parameters of a real plant
2.1Sludge volume index (SVI)2.2Mixed liquor suspended solids2.3Control of wasting and sludge age2.4Dissolved oxygen control2.5External and internal recirculation2.6Redox potential measurement2.7Online ammonium and nitrate analysers2.8V30 and settleability tests2.9Daily control sheets2.10Practical exercise: calculating wasting to maintain sludge age
3.1Filamentous bulking and its causes3.2Biological foams and Microthrix3.3Dispersed growth and pin-point floc3.4Denitrification in the clarifier3.5Toxicity and industrial discharges3.6Load and hydraulic shocks3.7Sludge microscopy and bioindicators3.8Corrective strategies3.9Recording and learning from incidents3.10Lab: microscopic identification of filamentous bacteria
4.1Nitrification and limiting factors4.2Denitrification and carbon source4.3Modified Ludzack-Ettinger scheme4.4Biological phosphorus removal4.5Chemical phosphorus precipitation4.6A2O and UCT processes4.7Advanced aeration control4.8Dewatering return streams4.9Compliance in sensitive areas4.10Workshop: adjusting internal recycle to reduce nitrates
5.1Aeration energy consumption5.2Fine-bubble diffusers and their fouling5.3Blowers and pressure-based control5.4ASM1 and ASM2d models5.5Dynamic plant simulation5.6Model calibration with operating data5.7Set-point optimisation5.8Benchmarking indicators5.9Maintenance of critical equipment5.10Case study: reducing aeration consumption
6.1Description of the plant and its problems6.2Collection of operating data6.3Performance analysis6.4Diagnosis of process problems6.5Proposed control strategies6.6Scenario simulation6.7Improvement and monitoring plan6.8Estimation of savings6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is BioWin, Hydromantis GPS-X, DESASS, plant SCADA and Microsoft Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for daily control of process parameters, microscopic identification of sludge and dynamic simulation of aeration strategies. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Directive (EU) 2024/3019, Royal Decree 509/1996, Royal Decree-Law 11/1995, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA), UNE-EN 12255, Royal Decree 1310/1990, Royal Decree 664/1997.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with BioWin, Hydromantis GPS-X, DESASS, plant SCADA and Microsoft Excel, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
Related programmes
Course in Eurocode Standards for Bridges
Online course of 300 hours in Eurocode standards for bridges, structured in 6 modules covering the Eurocode system, actions on bridges, concrete, steel and composite bridges,…
Underground Metro Project Management Course
Online course of 300 hours in underground metro project management. 6 modules covering the metro life cycle, schedule planning and control, procurement and cost management, interface…
Course on European Regulations in Urban Water Management
Online course of 300 hours in European regulations for urban water management, structured in 6 modules covering EU water policy, drinking water, urban wastewater, reuse, bathing…
More in Civil, Rail & Smart Cities
All Civil, Rail & Smart Cities programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships