Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the principles of wastewater treatment from an engineering perspective, with an emphasis on municipal wastewater treatment and sludge handling. The characteristics of liquid waste streams from municipal and industrial sources will be reviewed as the basis for developing treatment strategies. The studied treatment processes will involve individual unit operations, as well as integrated systems of physical, chemical, and biological treatment. Upon successfully completing this course, you will be able to apply this knowledge to solve design problems based on current practice in water treatment. The importance of wastewater treatment in the context of human health and the environment will also be discussed.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Explain what wastewater is and describe how it is characterized.
• Describe the objectives and importance of (i) physical treatment, (ii) biological treatment, and (iii) chemical treatment in the handling of municipal wastewater. For each treatment stage, identify and explain the engineering design principles for the most commonly implemented unit operations.
• For biological treatment, use biokinetic models to design treatment systems (aerobic and anaerobic). Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the common methods for sludge handling and disposal.
• Given a case study on a defined wastewater stream, design a process flow diagram and size each of the unit operations required to treat the stream such that the effluent meets a defined set of standards.
• Justify why the treatment of wastewater is important and analyze the strengths and limitations of the current standards and regulations.

Detailed information about the course can be found in the syllabus.

Course Schedule:

** For the quizzes, you must go to the tutorial room designated by surname as follows: Ell 323 (surnames A - K), Ell 332 (surnames L - Z).

Evaluation:

Website Updated: December 7, 2011.