WHAT IS ENGINEERING?

- It is a profession that applies mathematics and

science to utilize the properties of matter and
sources of energy to create useful structures,
machines, products, systems and processes
It is manifest by sound engineering thought and practice in the solution of problems
of environmental sanitation, notably in the provision of safe, palatable, and ample
public water supplies; the proper disposal of or recycle of wastewater and solid
wastes; the adequate drainage of urban and rural areas for proper sanitation; and
the control of water, soil and atmospheric pollution, and the social and environmental
impact of these solutions. Furthermore it is concerned with engineering problems in
the field of public health, such as anthropod-borne diseases, the elimination of
industrial health hazards, and the provision of adequate sanitation in urban, rural,
and recreational areas, and the effect of technological advances on the environment
(ASCE, 1977)
§Environmental engineers must be proactive to develop
alternative technologies and processes that minimize the
production of pollutants and the needless wasting of the
earth’s resources.

§Sustainable processes are also required to enable us to

meet not just our present needs but also of those of future
generations.

§Give an example of some changes that will impact future

work in the field.
§ System Approach
- looking at all the interrelated parts and their effects on one
another
- simplify the systems to a tractable size that behaves in a
fashion similar to the real systems
§ 3 Environmental Systems:
- Water Resource Management System
- Air Resource Management System
- Solid Waste Management System
The pipe network in
the city is called the
distribution system.

The pipes themselves

are often referred to
as water mains.
§Single-medium problems
- if the medium is either air, water, or soil
§Multimedia pollution problems
- if systems cross the boundaries from one to the other

• The nature of the water source commonly determines the planning,

design, and operation of the collection, purification, transmissions,
and distribution works.

• The two major sources of water are the surface water and
underground water
§ Population and water-consumption patterns are the prime factors that
govern the quantity of water required and hence the source and the
whole composition of the water resource system.

§ Essential elements of water demand:

- average daily water consumption
- peak rate of demand

§ Two reasons for estimating the average water daily consumption:

(1) to determine the ability of the water source to meet continuing
demands over critical period when surface flows are low
 or underground tables are at minimum elevations
(2) For purposes of estimating quantities of stored water that would
satisfy demands during these critical periods

§ Factors that have been found to influence water consumption in a

major way:
(1) Climate (4) System management
(2) Industrial activity (5) Standard of living
(3) Meterage
§ Higher socioeconomic status implies greater per capita water use
than the lower socioeconomic status.

Safe disposal of all human wastes is necessary to protect the

health of the individual, the family, and the community, and also to
prevent the occurrence of certain nuisances.
Human wastes must be disposed of so that:
(⑴) They will not contaminate any drinking water supply.
(⑵) They will not give rise to a public health hazard by being accessible to
vectors that may come into contact with food or drinking water.
(⑶) They will not give rise to a public health hazard by being accessible to
children.
(⑷) They will not cause violation of laws or regulations governing water
pollution or sewage disposal.
(⑸) They will not pollute or contaminate the waters of any bathing beaches,
shellfish-breeding ground, or stream used for public or domestic water-
supply purposes, or for recreational purposes
(⑹) They will not give rise to a nuisance due to odor or unsightly
appearance.
§ The source of wastewater may be either industrial wastewater or
domestic sewage or both.
§ WWTP – Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
§ POTW – Public-owned Treatment Works

- Most of the water used in the community will end up in the sewer
- Between 5 to 15 % of the water is lost in lawn watering, car washing,
and other consumptive uses.
- Consumptive use may be thought of as the difference between the
average rate that water flows in the distribution system and the
average rate that wastewater flows into the WWTP (excepting the
effects of leaks in the pipe)
Quantity of wastewater, with one
exception, depends on the same
factors that determine the
quantity of water required for
supply.
Underground water conditions
may strongly affect the quantity of
water in the system because of
leaks. Thus, it may infiltrate, or
leak into, the system. W hen
manholes lie in low spots, there is
the additional possibility of inflow
through leaks in the manhole
cover.
§ 3 categories of SEWERS:
(⑴)Sanitary sewers – carry municipal wastewater from homes and
commercial establishments; industrial wastes with proper pre-
treatment
(⑵)Storm sewers – handle excess rainwater to prevent flooding of low
areas
(⑶)Combined sewers – expected to accommodate both municipal
wastewater and stormwater

When the sewage is pumped vertically to discharge into a higher-

elevation gravity sewer, the location of the sewage pump is called a lift
station.
§ Effluent from the WWTP may be discharged into an ocean, lake
or river (called the receiving body)
§ It may be discharged in the ground, or be processed for reuse.
§ The by-product sludge must be disposed of in an environmentally
acceptable manner.
Differs in water in 2 ways:
(⑴)Quantity –air is delivered free of charge in whatever quantity we
desire
(⑵)Quality – air is impractical to be treated unlike water

Air resource management means the balance of cost and benefit to

acquire a desired quality of air
§ Air resource management programs are instituted for a variety of
reasons:

(⑴)Air quality has deteriorated and there is a need for correction

(⑵)The potential for a future problem
 Solid waste is considered a
problem to be solved as cheaply as
possible rather than resource to be
recovered.

We have yet to feel the impact

of material or energy shortages
severe enough to encourage modern
solid waste management.
A simplified block diagram of a solid waste
management
§ Many environmental problems cross the air-water-soil boundary.
§ lessons from our experience with multimedia problems:
(⑴)It is dangerous to develop models that are too simplistic
(⑵)Environmental engineers must use a multimedia approach and, in
particular, work with multidisciplinary team to solve environmental
problems
(⑶)The best solution to environmental pollution is waste minimization
§ Examples of better solutions for our pollution problem:
(⑴)Pollution prevention by the minimization of waste production
(⑵)Life cycle analysis of our production techniques to include built-
in features for extraction and reuse of materials
(⑶)Selection of materials and methods that have a long life
(⑷)Selection of manufacturing methods and equipment that
minimize energy and water consumption
§ Environmental Calamities in Recent History:

1. Milwaukee Outbreak
2. Chernobyl
3. Hurricane Katrina
4. Love Canal