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Course profile

Drinking Water Supply: Source, Treatment, Distribution (WATR6109)

Study period
Sem 1 2025
Location
External
Attendance mode
Online

Course overview

Study period
Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
External
Attendance mode
Online
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Chemical Engineering School

This course covers engineering principles and practices associated with drinking and potable reuse water treatment, and their application and impacts in the context of water supply. Key topics include: - Conventional (i.e., surface water and groundwater) and alternative (i.e., desalination and treated wastewater) water supplies: introduction to strategic planning - Drinking and recycled water treatment: theory, design and troubleshooting of conventional and advanced treatments - Distribution system: design and operation - Managing risk and drinking water quality

The UN has established 17 sustainable development goals in which water and sanitation is one of the top priorities. Countries have promised to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by ensuring a sustainable management of water by 2030. Drinking water is a vital part of the urban water management and a major challenge also for developed countries. This course has specifically been developed to cover the drinking water treatment from the source until the consumers' tap. It will cover a key understanding of the various drinking water technologies and will also have a strong focus on the integration of knowledge of the other courses in the masters program. This will cover many different areas to prepare the students to be ready to work with the highly complex and multi-faceted challenges of our modern society.

The key Knowledge Domains and Topics to be covered include:

  1. Purpose and role of water systems in relation to public and environmental health protection
  2. Risk assessment and application of framework for management of drinking water quality
  3. Key elements and technological processes for water supply and water treatment
  4. Water treatment/supply - understanding the nature of complex system
  5. Multi-criteria assessment techniques for water system technology selection processes

Course requirements

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

(CHEM1090 or CHEM1100 or High School Chemistry) and (CHEE3002 or CHEE2040)

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

WATR7109

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Tutor

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to inspire the students to combine process engineering knowledge and skills with relevant chemical and biological science background to gain a detailed understanding of the technologies and management concepts used in drinking water systems. The goal is to integrate and apply multi-disciplinary knowledge to address the complex and multiscale process challenges typical for water industry situations. The course will also give insights and experience in the decision making processes required to evaluate various technology and management options for water treatment and system developments. Subsequently, help aspiring young water professionals to prepare and to accelerate their professional development.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Acquire the understanding of effective risk management and apply the framework for management of drinking water quality.

LO2.

Conceptually design specific drinking water treatment processes, taking into account the influent quality, effluent requirements, energy consideration and economic constraints.

LO3.

Identify non-conventional sources of drinking water, their risks, treatments, feasibility/viability and public perception.

LO4.

Conceptually design distributions systems to deliver safe drinking water to customers tap using engineering skills (e.g., hydraulic volumes, chemical dose rates).

LO5.

Apply preventive measures, operational procedures and process control for drinking water management.

LO6.

Utilise broad expertise and skill sets from various engineering and science disciplines to develop necessary understanding and knowledge to address complex challenges.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Practical/ Demonstration Laboratory component
  • In-person
  • Online
20%

2/04/2025 - 14/05/2025

Submissions during the semester. Due time: 3pm.

Examination In-Semester Examination
  • Identity Verified
  • Online
15%

15/04/2025

During lecture time.

Participation/ Student contribution, Project Design Study and role-play 25%

30/05/2025 1:00 pm

Examination Exam During Exam Period (Central)
  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • Online
40%

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Laboratory component

  • In-person
  • Online
Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Practical/ Demonstration
Weight
20%
Due date

2/04/2025 - 14/05/2025

Submissions during the semester. Due time: 3pm.

Learning outcomes
L01, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Lab reports - details provided in the lab notebook on Blackboard. Videos and data will be provided to compensate the hands-on pracs for external students.

1) Prac 1 - Coagulation/flocculation

Prac 1 lab report (10%) due on 02/04/25 at 3pm (two weeks after Prac 1).

2) Prac 2 - Disinfection

Prac 2 lab report (10%): due on 14/05/25 at 3pm (two weeks after Prac 2).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Via Turnitin on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date. Late submissions of assessment items will only be accepted if approval for late submission has been obtained prior to the due date.

Penalties Apply for Late Submission

Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)

A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Course Instance (CI), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.

In-Semester Examination

  • Identity Verified
  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
15%
Due date

15/04/2025

During lecture time.

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L05, L06

Task description

In-lecture exam focusing on the first part of the course (Water Quality and Conventional Treatment). Closed book. Invigilated in person for Internal students. External students sit as a Zoom-invigilated examination.

Format: Multiple-choice, Short answer, Problem solving.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 60 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Other
Invigilation

Invigilated by Zoom

Submission guidelines

In-class (Internal students) and Zoom (External students).

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Design Study and role-play

Mode
Oral, Written
Category
Participation/ Student contribution, Project
Weight
25%
Due date

30/05/2025 1:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

The feasibility study considers a specific water supply problem, for which students must propose the most cost-effective treatment process based on relevant regulation and their knowledge of the treatment processes, as well as design key operation units. The report for this assignment is due on 30/5/2025 at 1pm (weight 20%). Details will be issued on Blackboard.

A role play activity will be held on the 30/5/2025 (weight 5%), during the tutorial. This does not require written preparation or submission, and involves assessing a scenario from community, regulator, designer, and operator perspectives. This is done in groups with a facilitator, with scoring based on quality of participation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Via Turnitin on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date. Late submissions of assessment items will only be accepted if approval for late submission has been obtained prior to the due date. Note: no extensions can be issued for the role play, as this activity requires other participants. In the case of an approved extension for the role play component, an exemption will be issued instead, and the 5% of the role play will be re-weighted to the Feasibility Study report component.

Penalties Apply for Late Submission

Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)

A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Course Instance (CI), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.

Exam During Exam Period (Central)

  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
40%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Closed book exam on all course contents. Required reference material and key equations provided in exam. Exam will be held on-campus via the central examination system for internal students, and by the School via Zoom invigilation for external students.

Format: Multiple-choice, Short answer, Problem solving.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Hurdle requirements

To pass the course you must achieve greater than 45% on weighted average of the in-semester and final exams.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Other
Invigilation

Invigilated by Zoom

Submission guidelines

In-person for internal students; via Zoom for external students.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Description
1 (Low Fail)

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Less than 25% overall.

2 (Fail)

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A mark between 25% and 45%.

3 (Marginal Fail)

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: A mark between 45% and 50% or less than 45% on weighted average of in-semester and final exam.

4 (Pass)

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A mark between 50% and 65%. Must achieve greater than 45% on weighted average of in-semester and final exam.

5 (Credit)

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A mark between 65% and 75%. Must achieve greater than 60% on weighted average of in-semester and final exam and complete the design study.

6 (Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A mark between 75% and 85%. Must achieve greater than 70% on weighted average of in-semester and final exam. The student must complete all assessment items.

7 (High Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A mark greater than 85%. Must achieve greater than 80% on weighted average of in-semester and final exam. The student must complete all assessment items.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

There is an end of semester examination in this course.ᅠ Students enrolled in internal mode will have an invigilated (supervised) examination on campus. To ensure equity of treatment across both internal and external modes, and to maintain academic integrity of the external mode examination, students who are enrolled in external mode will have an invigilated (supervised) online examination. Supervision will be done using Zoom for external students, please see the external delivery course profile for further details on online invigilated exams materials and requirements.

Use of Calculators

Only University approved and labelled calculators can be used in all quizzes or exams for this course. Please consult ᅠhttps://my.uq.edu.au/services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/sitting-exam/approved-calculators for information about approved calculators and obtaining a label for non-approved calculators.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks
General contact hours

Lectures

Water sources, water quality, regulation, processes for conventional and advanced treatment of drinking water.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

General contact hours

Tutorials

Exercises and problems on week's topic.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

General contact hours

Practicals

Lab practicals on key treatment technologies.

Learning outcomes: L02, L05, L06

General contact hours

Field trips

Visit to two drinking water treatment plants, one conventional, one advanced.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05, L06

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

  • Safety Induction for Practicals

Course guidelines

Anyone undertaking courses with a practical component must complete the UQ Undergraduate Student Laboratory Safety Induction and pass the associated assessment.

Specific instructions, usage guidelines and rules for each of the undergraduate laboratories will be delivered as part of each course.

In some cases, students may be required to attend a specific face-to-face laboratory induction/training session.