This module covers a wide range of topics, but its principle aims include introducing you to the water cycle, flow and quality on natural systems. It is also designed to show you how proper engineering design can protect the hydraulic system, and how engineers can help to overcome the growing problem of water scarcity. 

On of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Demonstrate a critical awareness of current water management problems.

2. Understand traditional/local approaches of less conventional water management techniques and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively.

3. Understand natural water cycle, flow and quality variability and how to analyse the hydrological cycle then judge how much water could be abstracted from a water source. Additionally, comprehend the operational principles of drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, dynamics of treatment processes and design guidance.

4. Able to apply computational techniques for quantifying overland flows and to assess their limitations.

5. Use fundamental knowledge on treatment processes to develop preliminary designs of resource efficient treatment solutions.

6. Apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: 

7. Apply complex equations to do hydraulic calculations.

8. Understand linkages between urban water flows, socio-economic interactions and health implications, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively, including in engineering projects.

9. Understand design processes (for various stages of treatment including primary and secondary biological treatment) and methodologies then be able to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations.

10. Able to generate an innovative preliminary design for urban water systems to fulfil new needs.

11. Show awareness that engineers need to take account of the commercial and social contexts in which they operate.

12. Understand management and business practices, their limitations, and how these may be applied in the context of water management.

13. Demonstrate awareness of relevant regulatory requirements (e.g. water quality standards and guidelines, EU water framework directive) governing engineering (water management/treatment).

14. Understand current practices and their limitations, showing appreciation of likely new developments for resource efficient water management.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge: 

15. Apply skills in problem solving, communication, information retrieval, working with others, and the effective use of general IT facilities.

16. Plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.

17. Monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis.

18. Prove independence and self-direction in problem solving and decision making.

19. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility in professional practice.

20. Illustrate effective communication skills using a variety of commonly available media and techniques

Reassessment will be by a single written exam only worth 100% of the module. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 40%.

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Reading list for this module:

Mays, L. Water Resources Engineering, 2nd ed, Wiley 2011. ISBN: 978-0470460641

Gray N F Water Technology, Arnold 1999. ISBN: 000-0-340-67645-0

Tebbutt, T.H.Y Principles of Water Quality Control, Butterworth Heinemann 1998. ISBN: 000-0-750-63658-0

Linsley, R.K., Franzini, J.B, Freyberg, D.L. and Tchobanoglous, G Water Resources Engineering, McGrawHill 1992. ISBN: 0-071-12689-9

Mihelcic, J R, Zimmerman, J B. Environmental Engineering: Fundamentals, sustainability, design. John Wiley and Sons 2009. ISBN: 978-0470165058

Reading list for this module: