Formula/Conversion Table

Wastewater Treatment, Collection, Industrial Waste, & Wastewater Laboratory Exams

(Titrant Volume, mL)(Acid Normality)(50,000)

Alkalinity, mg/L as CaCO3 =
Sample Volume, mL

Volts
Amps =
Ohms
Area of Circle* = (0.785)(Diameter2)
Area of Circle = (3.14)(Radius2 )

Area of Cone (lateral area) = (3.14)(Radius) Radius2 + Height 2

Area of Cone (total surface area) = (3.14)(Radius)(Radius + Radius2 + Height 2 )

Area of Cylinder (total exterior surface area) = [End #1 SA] + [End #2 SA] + [(3.14)(Diameter)(Height or Depth)]
Where SA = surface area

Area of Rectangle* = (Length)(Width)

(Base)(Height)
Area of Right Triangle* =
2

Sum of All Terms

Average (arithmetic mean) =
Number of Terms
Average (geometric mean) = [(X1)(X2)(X3)(X4)(Xn)] 1/n The nth root of the product of n numbers

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (seeded), mg/L =

[(Initial DO, mg/L) - (Final DO, mg/L) - (Seed Correction, mg/L)] [300 mL]
Sample Volume, mL

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 [(Initial DO, mg/L) - (Final DO, mg/L)][300 mL]
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (unseeded), mg/L =
Sample Volume, mL

Blending or Three Normal Equation = (C1 x V1) + (C2 x V2) = (C3 x V3) Where V1 + V2 = V3; C = concentration, V = volume or flow;
Concentration units must match;
Volume units must match
[(# of Colonies on Plate)(100)]
# CFU/100mL =
Sample Volume, mL

Desired Flow
Chemical Feed Pump Setting, % Stroke = ×100%
Maximum Flow
Chemical Feed Pump Setting, mL/min =

(Flow, MGD)(Dose, mg/L)(3.785 L/gal)(1,000,000 gal/MG)

(Feed Chemical Density, mg/mL)(Active Chemical, % expressed as a decimal)(1,440 min/day)

Chemical Feed Pump Setting, mL/min =

(Flow, m3 /day)(Dose, mg/L)
(Feed Chemical Density, g/cm3 )(Active Chemical, % expressed as a decimal)(1,440 min/day)
Circumference of Circle = (3.14)(Diameter)

(Instantaneous Flow)(Total Sample Volume)

Composite Sample Single Portion =
(Number of Portions)(Average Flow)

Storage Volume, gal

Cycle Time, min =
(Pump Capacity, gpm) - (Wet Well Inflow, gpm)

Storage Volume, m 3
Cycle Time, min =
(Pump Capacity, m 3 /min) - (W et W ell Inflow, m 3 /min)

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  °F - 32 
Degrees Celsius =
1.8
Degrees Fahrenheit = (ºC)(1.8) + 32

Volume
Detention Time = Units must be compatible
Flow
Dilution or Two Normal Equation = (C1 x V1) = (C2 x V2) Where C = Concentration, V = volume or flow;
Concentration units must match;
Volume units must match

Electromotive Force, volts* = (Current, amps)(Resistance, ohms)

(Dosage, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lb/gal)

Feed Rate, lb/day* =
Purity, % expressed as a decimal

(Dosage, mg/L)(Flow Rate, m3 /day)

Feed Rate, kg/day* =
(Purity, % expressed as a decimal)(1,000)

Flow, gpm
Filter Backwash Rate, gpm/ft2 =
Filter Area, ft 2
Flow, L/sec
Filter Backwash Rate, L/sec/m2 =
Filter Area, m 2

(Backwash Rate, gpm/ft 2 )(12 in/ft)

Filter Backwash Rise Rate, in/min =
7.48 gal/ft 3

Water Rise, cm
Filter Backwash Rise Rate, cm/min =
Time, min

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 (Solids Loading, lb/day)(Recovery, % expressed as a decimal)
Filter Yield, lb/hr/ft2 =
(Filter Operation, hr/day)(Area, ft 2 )

(Solids Concentration, % expressed as a decimal)(Sludge Feed Rate, L/hr)(10)

Filter Yield, kg/hr/m2 =
(Surface Area of Filter, m2 )

Flow Rate, ft3/sec* = (Area, ft2)(Velocity, ft/sec)

Flow Rate, m3/sec* = (Area, m2)(Velocity, m/sec)

BOD5 , lb/day
Food/Microorganism Ratio =
MLVSS, lb

BOD5 , kg/day
Food/Microorganism Ratio =
MLVSS, kg

Force, lb* = (Pressure, psi)(Area, in2)

Force, newtons* = (Pressure, pascals)(Area, m2)

(Titrant Volume, mL)(1,000)

Hardness, as mg CaCO3/L = Only when the titration factor is 1.00 of EDTA
Sample Volume, mL

(Flow, gpm)(Head, ft)

Horsepower, Brake, hp =
(3,960)(Pump Efficiency, % expressed as a decimal)

(9.8)(Flow, m 3 /sec)(Head, m)
Horsepower, Brake, kW =
(Pump Efficiency, % expressed as a decimal)

Horsepower, Motor, hp =
(Flow, gpm)(Head, ft)
(3,960)(Pump Efficiency, % expressed as a decimal)(Motor Efficiency, % expressed as a decimal)

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Horsepower, Motor, kW =
3
(9.8)(Flow, m /sec)(Head, m)
(Pump Efficiency, % expressed as a decimal)(Motor Efficiency, % expressed as a decimal)

(Flow, gpm)(Head, ft)

Horsepower, Water, hp =
3,960
Horsepower, Water, kW = (9.8)(Flow, m3/sec)(Head, m)

Total Flow Applied,gpd

Hydraulic Loading Rate, gpd/ft2 =
Area, ft 2

3 2
Total Flow Applied, m 3 /day
Hydraulic Loading Rate, m /day/m =
Area, m 2

Loading Rate, lb/day* = (Flow, MGD)(Concentration, mg/L)(8.34 lb/gal)

(Flow, m3 /day)(Concentration, mg/L)

Loading Rate, kg/day* =
1,000
Mass, lb* = (Volume, MG)(Concentration, mg/L)(8.34 lb/gal)

(Volume, m3 )(Concentration, mg/L)

Mass, kg* =
1,000

(Aeration Tank TSS, lb) + (Clarifier TSS, lb)

Mean Cell Residence Time or Solids Retention Time, days =
(TSS Wasted, lb/day)+(Effluent TSS, lb/day)

(Aeration Tank TSS, kg) + (Clarifier TSS, kg)

Mean Cell Residence Time or Solids Retention Time, days =
(TSS Wasted, kg/day) + (Effluent TSS, kg/day)

Milliequivalent = (mL)(Normality)

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 Moles of Solute
Molarity =
Liters of Solution

Brake hp
Motor Efficiency, % = ×100%
Motor hp

Number of Equivalent Weights of Solute

Normality =
Liters of Solution
Total Weight
Number of Equivalent Weights =
Equivalent Weight

Total Weight
Number of Moles =
Molecular Weight

Organic Load, lb SBOD5 /day

Organic Loading Rate-RBC, lb SBOD5/day/1,000 ft2 =
Surface Area of Media, 1,000 ft 2

Organic Load, kg SBOD5 /day

Organic Loading Rate-RBC, kg SBOD5/m2 days =
Surface Area of Media, m2

Organic Load, lb BOD 5 /day

Organic Loading Rate-Trickling Filter, lb BOD5/day/1,000 ft3 =
Volume, 1,000 ft 3

Organic Load, kg BOD5 /day

Organic Loading Rate-Trickling Filter, kg/m3 days =
Volume, m3

Oxygen Usage, mg/L

Oxygen Uptake Rate or Oxygen Consumption Rate, mg/L/min =
Time, min

(Flow, MGD)(BOD, mg/L)(8.34 lb/gal)

Population Equivalent, Organic =
0.17 lb BOD/day/person

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 (Flow, m3 /day)(BOD, mg/L)
Population Equivalent, Organic =
(1,000)(0.077 kg BOD/day/person)

(Flow, L/sec)(Head, m)(9.8)

Power, kW =
1,000

Recirculated Flow
Recirculation Ratio-Trickling Filter =
Primary Effluent Flow

 VS in- VS out  All information (In and Out)

Reduction of Volatile Solids, % =   ×100% must be in decimal form
 VS in-  VS in× VS out  

 In - Out 
Removal, % =   ×100%
 In 
Return Flow Rate
Return Rate, % = ×100%
Influent Flow Rate

(MLSS, m g/L)(Flow Rate, MGD)

Return Sludge Rate-Solids Balance, MGD =
(RAS Suspended Solids, m g/L) - (MLSS, m g/L)

Drop or Rise
Slope, % = × 100%
Distance

100
Sludge Density Index =
SVI
(SSV30 , mL/L)(1,000 mg/g)
Sludge Volume Index, mL/g =
MLSS, mg/L

(Dry Solids, g)(1,000,000)

Solids, mg/L =
Sample Volume, mL

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  Cake TS, %   Feed Sludge TS, % -  Centrate TSS, % 
Solids Capture, % (Centrifuges) =    ×100%
 Feed Sludge TS, %    Cake TS, % -  Centrate TSS, % 
Weight, mg
Solids Concentration, mg/L =
Volume, L

Solids Applied, lb/day

Solids Loading Rate, lb/day/ft2 =
Surface Area, ft 2

Solids Applied, kg/day

Solids Loading Rate, kg/day/m2 =
Surface Area, m 2

Solids Retention Time: see Mean Cell Residence Time

Specific Weight of Substance, lb/gal

Specific Gravity =
8.34 lb/gal

Specific Weight of Substance, kg/L

Specific Gravity =
1.0 kg/L

(OUR, mg/L/min) (60 min)

Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate or Respiration Rate, (mg/g)/hr =
(MLVSS, g/L) (1 hr)

Flow, gpd
Surface Loading Rate or Surface Overflow Rate, gpd/ft2 =
Area, ft 2
Flow, Lpd
Surface Loading Rate or Surface Overflow Rate, Lpd/m2 =
Area, m 2

(Dried Weight, g) - (Tare Weight, g)

Total Solids, % = × 100%
(Wet Weight, g) - (Tare Weight, g)

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 Flow Rate, ft3 /sec
Velocity, ft/sec =
Area, ft 2

Distance, ft
Velocity, ft/sec =
Time, sec

Flow Rate, m3 /sec

Velocity, m/sec =
Area, m 2

Distance, m
Velocity, m/sec =
Time, sec

 (Dry Solids, g) - (Fixed Solids, g) 

Volatile Solids, % = 
 (Dry Solids, g)  ×100%

Volume of Cone* = (1/3)(0.785)(Diameter2)(Height)

Volume of Cylinder* = (0.785)(Diameter2)(Height)
Volume of Rectangular Tank* = (Length)(Width)(Height)
Volume of Water Produced, gpd
Water Use, gpcd =
Population

Volume of Water Produced, Lpd

Water Use, Lpcd =
Population

Watts (AC circuit) = (Volts)(Amps)(Power Factor)

Watts (DC circuit) = (Volts)(Amps)

Flow, gpd
Weir Overflow Rate, gpd/ft =
Weir Length, ft

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 Flow, Lpd
Weir Overflow Rate, Lpd/m =
Weir Length, m

Water hp
Wire-to-Water Efficiency, % = ×100%
Motor hp

(Flow, gpm)(Total Dynamic Head, ft)(0.746 kW/hp)(100%)

Wire-to-Water Efficiency, % =
(3,960)(Electrical Demand, kW)

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Abbreviations

atm .............. atmospheres MG ............... million US gallons

BOD5 ........... biochemical oxygen demand MGD ............ million US gallons per day
C .................. Celsius min .............. minutes
CBOD5 ......... carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand mL ............... milliliters
cfs ............... cubic feet per second ML ............... million liters
cm ............... centimeters MLD ............. million liters per day
COD............. chemical oxygen demand MLSS .......... mixed liquor suspended solids
DO ............... dissolved oxygen MLVSS ........ mixed liquor volatile suspended solids
EMF ............. electromotive force OCR ............ oxygen consumption rate
F .................. Fahrenheit ORP ............. oxidation reduction potential
F/M ratio...... food to microorganism ratio OUR ............ oxygen uptake rate
ft .................. feet PE ................ population equivalent
ft lb .............. foot-pound ppb .............. parts per billion
g .................. grams ppm ............. parts per million
gal ............... US gallons psi ............... pounds per square inch
gfd ............... US gallons flux per day Q.................. flow
gpcd ............ US gallons per capita per day RAS ............. return activated sludge
gpd .............. US gallons per day RBC ............. rotating biological contactor
gpg .............. grains per US gallon RPM ............ revolutions per minute
gpm ............. US gallons per minute SBOD5 ......... Soluble BOD
hp ................ horsepower SDI .............. sludge density index
hr ................. hours sec .............. second
in ................. inches SOUR .......... specific oxygen uptake rate
kg ................ kilograms SRT ............. solids retention time
km ............... kilometer SS ................ settleable solids
kPa .............. kilopascals SSV30 ........... settled sludge volume 30 minute
kW ............... kilowatts SVI ............... sludge volume index
kWh ............. kilowatt-hours TOC ............. total organic carbon
L .................. liters TS ................ total solids
lb ................. pounds TSS ............. total suspended solids
Lpcd ............ liters per capita per day VS ................ volatile solids
Lpd .............. liters per day VSS ............. volatile suspended solids
Lpm ............. liters per minute W ................. watts
LSI ............... Langelier Saturation Index WAS ............ waste activated sludge

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m ................. meters yd ................ yards
MCRT .......... mean cell residence time yr ................. year
mg ............... milligrams

Conversion Factors

1 acre ............................. = 43,560 ft2 1 inch ............................. = 2.54 cm

= 4,046.9 m2 1 liter per second .......... = 0.0864 MLD
1 acre foot of water ....... = 326,000 gal 1 meter of water ............ = 9.8 kPa
1 atm .............................. = 33.9 ft of water 1 metric ton ................... = 2,205 lb
= 10.3 m of water = 1,000 kg
= 14.7 psi 1 mile ............................ = 5,280 ft
= 101.3 kPa = 1.61 km
1 cubic foot of water ..... = 7.48 gal 1 million US gallons per day = 694 gpm
= 62.4 lb = 1.55 ft3/sec
1 cubic foot per second= 0.646 MGD 1 pound ......................... = 0.454 kg
= 448.8 gpm 1 pound per square inch = 2.31 ft of water
1 cubic meter of water .. = 1,000 kg = 6.89 kPa
= 1,000 L 1 square meter............... = 1.19 yd2
= 264 gal 1 ton ............................... = 2,000 lb
1 foot .............................. = 0.305 m 1% .................................. = 10,000 mg/L
1 foot of water ............... = 0.433 psi  or pi ............................. = 3.14
1 gallon (US) .................. = 3.785 L Population Equivalent,
= 8.34 lb of water hydraulic........................ = 100 gal/person/day
1 grain per US gallon .... = 17.1 mg/L = 378.5 L/person/day
1 hectare ......................... = 10,000 m2 Population Equivalent,
1 horsepower ................ = 0.746 kW organic .......................... = 0.17 lb BOD/person/day
= 746 W = 0.077 kg BOD/person/day
= 33,000 ft lb/min

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 * Pie Wheels
To find the quantity above the horizontal line: multiply the pie wedges below the line together.
To solve for one of the pie wedges below the horizontal line: cover that pie wedge, then divide the remaining pie wedge(s)
into the quantity above the horizontal line.
Given units must match the units shown in the pie wheel.
2
When US and metric units or values differ, the metric is shown in parentheses, e.g. (m ).

Area of Circle Area of Rectangle Area of Right Triangle Electromotive Force (EMF), volts

Area Area Area EMF

Circle Rectangle Right Triangle volts

1
Height Current Resistance
0.785 Diameter 2
Length Width 2
amps ohms
Base

Feed Rate, lb/day (kg/day) Flow Rate, ft 3/sec (m3/sec) Force, lb (newtons) Loading Rate, lb/day (kg/day)

Chemical Feed, Flow Rate Force Loading Rate

100% Purity 3
ft /sec (m3/sec) lb (newtons) lb/day (kg/day)
lb/day (kg/day)

Flow 8.34 lb/gal Flow 8.34 lb/gal

MGD Area Velocity Pressure Area MGD
(M3/day) (0.001) ft 2 (m2) ft/sec (m/sec) psi (pascals) in 2 (m2) (0.001)
(m 3/day)
Dose
mg/L Concentration
mg/L

Mass, lb (kg) Volume of Cone Volume of Cylinder Volume of Rectangular Tank

Mass Volume Volume Volume

lb (kg) Cone Cylinder Rectangle

Volume 8.34 lb/gal

MG (m3) (0.001) 1/3 0.785 0.785 Height Length Height

Concentration Diameter2 Height Diameter 2 Width

mg/L
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