To develop the students' knowledge and understanding (qualitative and quantitative) of the fundamental principles and processes underlying wastewater treatment, including the impacts of wastewater pollution on the receiving environment.

General introduction to wastewater treatment, wastewater sources and characteristics, sampling and testing key pollutants, legislative framework, assimilative capacity and pollution impacts on the receiving environment, kinetics of biological growth, unit treatment processes including preliminary (screening, grit removal, flow measurement and sampling), primary (sedimentation), secondary (activated sludge, nutrient removal, passive treatment, high rate treatment processes), tertiary (polishing filters) and sludge (thickening, dewatering, drying, stabilisation techniques, aerobic / anaerobic digestion) treatment processes. Anaerobic processes (stabilisation ponds).

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to • Describe and quantify the effects of waste water discharges on the aquatic environment; • Identify key constituents of municipal and industrial waste waters; • Describe and apply analytical methods and interpretation of results when carrying out wastewater pollution tests; • Describe the operation of wastewater unit treatment processes • Design and synthesise key wastewater treatment processes; • Evaluate the significance and impacts of operating parameters on treated effluent standards.

Not applicable

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This module will be delivered via 2 x 1-hour lectures and 1 x 2-hour tutorial per week. In addition, the module includes online tests and quizzes as well as a field trip to an operational wastewater treatment plant. Within this timeframe, students have an opportunity to gain an understanding of the core processes of wastewater treatment and the scientific / engineering principles that underpin the design and operation of a conventional wastewater treatment plant. This delivery enhances core graduate attributes by increasing the students' curiosity, knowledge and critical thinking skills as well as their personal and societal responsibility. It will also help them to assess wastewater treatment in a rational, innovative, open-minded yet evidenced-based manner. The module content and learning outcomes explore the most recent developments in wastewater treatment and encompass several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) as follows:- SDG 3 (Good health and wellbeing) - Design of wastewater treatment processes to ensure clean water for healthy living and wellbeing. SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation) - Design and operation of unit treatment processes for effective purification of municipal and industrial wastewaters. SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth) - Inclusion and contextualisation of wastewater infrastructure for the provision of sustained and sustainable economic growth. SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure) & SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) - Contextualisation of wastewater treatment as key infrastructure to build resilience for sustainable industries and to enable development of sustainable and resilient communities and cities. Innovative and future looking treatment processes included in module. SDG 13 (Climate action) - Impacts of climate change on treatment processes, such as increased rainfall events, energy usage and plant emissions. SDG 14 (Life below water) - Impacts of pollutant loads on aquatic environments; design of wastewater treatment processes to reduce environmental burden and protect water ecology. Various research findings are incorporated into the syllabus as considered appropriate, including treatment of industrial leachates and passive treatment processes.