Drinking Water Treatment EENG 8755

Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:

• Describe the significance of water demand and water quality characterization in relation to treatment system design.
• Identify the types and sources of water supplies.
• Describe the hydrologic cycle.
• Explain the diurnal water demand curve and water consumption statistics, including: water demand factors as they apply to treatment plant and system sizing.
• Define key physical and chemical water quality characteristics, including: turbidity, colour, taste and odour, alkalinity, pH, hardness, conductivity, NOM and DBPs.
• Identify the significance of key bacteriological water quality parameters, including: Giardia, Cryptosporidium, coliform bacteria, indicator organisms, HPCs, viruses and other pathogens.
• Describe the water treatment philosophies practiced in North America and other parts of the world.
• Identify the significance of the multiple barrier approach.
• Discuss the evolution of North American drinking water standards and guidelines and other world standards set by the WHO and EEC.
• Define criteria established under the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and the BC Safe Drinking Water Regulation.
• Explain the significance of Max. Acceptable Concentration (MAC) and Aesthetic Objectives.
• Define the relationship between log and percentage removals for protozoa as identified under the USEPA Surface Water Treatment Rule.
• Explain the principles of coagulation/flocculation as they pertain to water treatment plant design.
• Explain the concept of the electrical double layer of a negatively charged colloid and overcoming the energy barrier for colloid destabilization.
• Describe particle size characterization and settling rates.
• Explain perikinetic, orthokinetic and differential settling mechanisms.
• Illustrate the concept of zone settling.
• Identify key coagulant chemicals, coagulant aids and their application.
• Calculate sludge production and mixing energy requirements.
• Explain the principles of clarification and flocculation as they pertain to water treatment plant design.
• Discuss the appropriate application of sedimentation process and specific flow pattern configurations.
• Demonstrate the mechanical workings of a typical commercial clarifier.
• Calculate sedimentation tank sizing utilizing specified design criteria.
• Explain the principles of filtration as they pertain to water treatment plant design.
• Describe the basic particle removal mechanisms for different filtration processes.
• Identify loading rates and common applications of different filter types including: pressure, gravity and diatomaceous earth filters.
• Illustrate the physical construction of a typical gravity sand filter and identify the advantages and disadvantages of mono, dual and multi media designs.
• Discuss filter operation, defining the concept of headloss and relationship to backwash requirements.
• Apply the principles of water softening to the removal of hardness from scale forming waters.
• Define water hardness and its impacts on plumbing systems.
• Identify the conditions under which the four types of softening processes are utilized.
• Explain the principle of recarbonation.
• Calculate dosage requirements for various water softening scenarios.
• Explain the principles of corrosion control and disinfection as they pertain to water treatment process design.
• Define the mechanisms of concentration cell and galvanic corrosion.
• Define the Langlier Index and describe its use to predict the corrosion or scale forming potential of a specific water type.
• Identify corrosion control methods.
• Describe primary and secondary disinfection processes and the mechanisms responsible for the inactivation of microorganisms.
• Evaluate disinfection requirements by performing CT calculations for chlorine.
• Discuss alternative disinfection options including ozone and ultraviolet light.

Effective as of Fall 2003