Module Details

Module Code: ENVI8004
Title: Water Quality
Long Title: Water Quality Analysis
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 2 - 2021/22 ( January 2022 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4220 - Environmental Science
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module covers aspects of the testing and monitoring of water as well as the legislative requirements for compliance with various national and EU regulations. This will include applications such as industrial, domestic and public water schemes as well as a variety of water sources such as groundwater, river, marine and coastal.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Determine the most appropriate physical, biological and chemical parameters that can be used to assess water quality.
LO2 Evaluate water analysis procedures for ISO17025 compliance, analyse technical reports on monitoring results.
LO3 Interpret water analysis results and establish whether they comply with European and national legislative standards.
LO4 Assess the water and wastewater requirements for biopharma, medical and semiconductor sectors
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Supply
Public water schemes, private group schemes, domestic wells specialist supplies for biopharma, power plants semiconductor and medical devices
Water quality Parameters
Context specific parameters with particular emphasis on: phosphates, nitrates, lead, mercury, oxygen, iron, chromium, cryptosporidium, pathogenic staphylococci. Coliforms: Faecal & Total.
Applications of testing and analysis techniques
Common techniques for specific applications to include spectrometry, colorimetry, chromatography, membrane filtration, electrometric and advanced microbiological techniques.
Water as a resource
Groundwater and ground water protection, reservoirs, desalination, rainwater harvesting, decontamination, sterilisation and UV treatment
Legislation/ISO compliance
European water framework directive. Role of agencies such as the EPA, Teagasc, county councils. Long term vs operational vs investigative monitoring. Intercalibration. Integration of water policy across the EU. World Health Organisation: Guidelines for Bacteriological Quality, IPPC system, EDEN, ALDER. Annual Environmental Reports. ISO 17025.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 15
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Directed study completed during laboratory time.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 4
Assessment Description
Team Project: Report and presentation. Research the specific water and waste water requirements of various industries and compile ~16,000 word a report on the requirements and present the findings to an invited audience
Assessment Type Open-book Examination % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Open book examination of selected course content.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,3
Assessment Description
Research analytical techniques used for water testing. Compile a report on findings.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Course material Every Week 4.00 4
Independent Learning Non Contact Study of module content, research and report preparation Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Course material Every Week 4.00 4
Independent Learning Non Contact Module content and additional reading, project research and report preparation Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Warren Viessman, Jr., P. E.... [et al.]. (2013), Water Supply and Pollution Control, 8th. Pearson, England, [ISBN: 9781292026077].
  • Manivasakam, N. (2011), Industrial Water Quality Requirements, Chemical Pub. Co, [New York, N.Y.]:, [ISBN: 978-0820600048].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Mark J. Hammer,. (2011), Water and Wastewater technology, 7th. Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., [ISBN: 9780135114049].
  • Jerry A. Nathanson. (2014), Basic Environmental Technology, 6th. Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., [ISBN: 9780132840149].
  • Randy D. Down & Jay H. Lehr. (2005), Environmental Instrumentation and Analysis Handbook, John Wiley and Sons, [ISBN: 0-471-46354-X].
  • European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment. (2002), Implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg, [ISBN: 92-894-4103-8].
  • UNIDO. (2009), Complying with ISO 17025 : A Practical Guidebook for Meeting the Requirements of Laboratory Accreditation Schemes Based on ISO 17025:2005.
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SESST_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology 8 Mandatory