Course Title: Water, Sanitation and Waste Management

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Water, Sanitation and Waste Management

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

CIVE1260

City Campus

Postgraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr Valentina Marchionni

Course Coordinator Phone: -

Course Coordinator Email: valentina.marchionni@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: -

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Basic background in chemistry as well as water and wastewater treatment processes is preferred 


Course Description

This course provides an insight and knowledge concerning water and wastewater treatment including the management of sludge produced during the treatment. Integration of sludge management (municipal, industrial and other wastes) will also be covered. Nutrient recovery and water reuse will be discussed in detail. The course focuses both on current practice and emerging technologies and trends. You will have the opportunity to develop waste management plans in line with current guidelines and using available technologies. You will also get an opportunity to use software simulation and design packages in designing integrated systems for a given waste stream.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for MC254 Master of Engineering (Environmental Engineering)

Problem Solving and Design
a. Develop creative and innovative solutions to engineering problems
b. Anticipate the consequences of intended action or inaction and understand how the consequences are managed collectively by your organisation, project or team
c. Develop and operate within a hazard and risk framework appropriate to engineering activities.


 Analysis
a. Comprehend and apply advanced theory-based understanding of engineering fundamentals and specialist bodies of knowledge in the selected discipline area to predict the effect of engineering activities
b. Apply underpinning natural, physical and engineering sciences, mathematics, statistics, computer and information sciences.

Professional Practice
a. Initiate, plan, lead or manage engineering activities
b. Understand the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline
c. Apply systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects


On the completion of the course you will be able to:

  1. Describe and identify the quality parameters to be determined for the characterisation of water, wastewater, sludge and other solid wastes.
  2. Describe a wide range of available and emerging technologies for the treatment of water for potable use, treatment and safe disposal of municipal, and industrial wastewater; and solid wastes.
  3. Propose alternative treatment systems and management strategies for a given waste stream.
  4. Design wastewater and solid waste treatment for a given waste using design manuals and simulation packages.


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities include lectures, workshops, projects, site visits and software training and use.

You will be provided with background knowledge that is required to design water and wastewater treatment plants including solid waste management. Then you will be assisted in using relevant analytical tools to design the above mentioned systems. A real case study will be given to you to demonstrate your design capabilities.

You will also participate in field trips to water and wastewater treatment plants to understand the challenges in designing treatment facilities. Field trips are subjected to the access to treatment facilities. Virtual field trips will be arranged wherever possible. 

An online environment will be established for you to share information and discuss assignments and course content.


Overview of Learning Resources

Learning resources required will include lecture notes, online materials and tutorials. Access to up-to-date international research journals, conference proceedings and e-books will be facilitated through RMIT’s library.


Overview of Assessment

☒This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Task 1: Class Test (individual)
Weighting 30%
You will be tested on your understanding on designing a treatment system (PLO 1,2,4; CLO 1,2,4)

Assessment Task 2: Assignment - System Modelling Viva (individual)
Weighting 30%
You will be given an assignment containing questions on water distribution system and will be requested to attend a viva to demonstrate your understanding of the distribution modelling software, EPANET. (PLO 2,3; CLO 1,2,3)

Assessment Task 3: Major Assignment – Design and presentation (Group)
Weighting 40%
Detailed process design of a water treatment plant (PLO 1, 2; CLO 1,2,3,4).