This online course is the first in a series of two short courses covering basic and intermediate chemistry with applications for water and wastewater utilities. Although a previous knowledge of chemistry is not required, the material is moderately demanding. This first course covers basic fundamentals of general chemistry including the structure of atoms and compounds, chemical reactions and equations, acids, bases, and salts, and aqueous solutions. The course also includes discussion of alkalinity, hardness, and chlorination. This course has basic, but rigorous content! Students will need basic math skills to use mathematical formulas and solve problems.