Long time ago, probably up to present, public water facilities were part of civil engineer’s project. Water supply and wastewater drainage were among the job whose civil engineers do to preserve environment and protect human health.
Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Civil Engineering-civilization
Civilization is the most important keword of this post. Through western civilization settled agriculture and the development of agricultural skills created a cooperative social fabric and spawned the growth of communities, as well as changed the face of the earth with its overriding impact on the natural environment. Civilization had contributed to the change of our natural landscape to more “artificial” one. Thus it produced both positive and negative impact to the natural habitat.
Environmental impact assessment: brief overview
Almost all aspects involving alteration of natural environment now require that the impact, interactions and effects of every designed structures towards natural habitat or ecosystems be considered and assessed for any kind of activities. In US, this was in 1970 which the principle was enacted into federal law.
Wastewater treatment plant: the beginning
As you probably already aware, waste disposal methods had been found from ancient time. Sewers were found in the prehistoric cities of Crete and ancient Assyrian areas. Sewers built by the Romans, although at the first were mainly for carrying storm water, but in practice sewers were used to carry organic matter because of dumping refuse by the Romans, and this organic was carried along with the rainwater runoff. There are various pictures you might like about Roman’s disposal system in Lynn Wastewater treatment plant world history.
Sewer, sewerage… in history
On the early application of human waste disposal, nuisance and health problem always be primary effect caused by such activity. Just imagine, often the method of disposal consisted of nothing more than flinging out the content of the pots out the window!
Environmental Engineering Roots
Environmental engineering is a relatively new profession with a long and honorable history. The title of “Environmental engineer” interestingly was not used until 1960s in US, when academic programs in engineering and public health schools broadened their scope and wanted to have special and accurate title to describe their material and courses. Thus, the differentiation between environmental engineer and public health or other engineering part hopefully become more clear.
Outline of Introduction of Environmental Engineering Course
This is the outline of the class of Introduction of Environmental Engineering. Oke, let’s get straight to the point. Several topics that I am going to explain here are as follows:
1. Environmental Engineering Roots and History
2. Environmental Impact Assessment
3. Risk Analysis
4. Water Pollution and Water Quality
5. Water Supply and Water Treatment
6. Wastewater Treatment and Collection
7. Sludge Treatment and Disposal
8. Nonpoint source water pollution
9. Hazardous Waste and 3R (reuse, recycling and recovery)
10. Air Pollution and Air Quality.