ABSTRACT
Microorganisms are significant in wastewater because of their role in disease transmission, and they are the primary agents of biological treatment. Thus, wastewater practitioners must have considerable knowledge of the microbiological characteristics of wastewater and wastewater stabilization ponds. Simply, wastewater operators must know the principal groups of microorganisms found in wastewater as well as those that must be treated (pathogenic organisms), removed, or controlled using biological treatment processes. They must be able to identify the organisms that serve as indicators of pollution and know their significance, and they must be familiar with the methods used to enumerate the indicator organisms. This chapter provides microbiology fundamentals specifically targeting the needs of wastewater specialists involved in the operation of wastewater stabilization ponds.
