Water Quality

Numerous aspects make water a resource that needs special protection. Among these we can highlight the growing demand and the threats that put its quality and sustainability at risk. The assessment of the status and quality of fresh and marine waters is an aspect of great relevance that concerns governments and is addressed in the Water Framework Directive (WFD), which aims to provide a common framework for water management actions throughout the European Union.
The objective of the course "Water Quality" is to provide the tools to carry out an evaluation of the chemical quality of water and approach this evaluation from different perspectives. To do this, this course will analyze fundamental aspects such as:
- Properties of water that control its interaction with the environment
- Chemical processes related to the speciation of pollutants in natural waters
- Main types of chemical and microbiological pollution in natural Waters
- European and Spanish regulations governing the assessment and conservation of surface water quality
- Analysis of quality indices designed to establish categories according to water quality
- Sampling methods and standard methods for chemical and microbiological analysis of natural waters
The focus of the course will be eminently practical. The theory classes and seminars will address the most frequent problems that future Environmental Engineers may face in the field of surface water quality. The seminars will address practical cases and design activities to work in groups or individually. A field trip and sampling will be carried out to work in the laboratory with the standard methods of natural water analysis and a final report will be made that collects all the aspects worked during the course.

In this course, a series of generic and specific competences desirable in any university degree will be acquired and, in particular, for professionals in environmental issues.

Students must become aware of the problems that pollution can cause in today's world, and must be able to define a program for the determination of water quality and evaluate in the laboratory a whole set of physical, chemical and microbiological parameters that allow establishing the magnitude of different indicators and indices of water quality and establish compliance or not with current regulations.

The contents that will be developed during the course are those contemplated succinctly in the descriptors of this subject in the curriculum of the Master in Environmental Engineering.
The syllabus of the course is divided into seven topics, each of which consists of a theoretical part and a practical part.
Contents
Topic 1. Introduction to water sampling
Types of samples. Sampling material (and devices). Conservation of samples. Sampling plan. Organization of sampling networks. Design of a sampling plan in the Sar River.
Topic 2. Properties of water
Properties of water and bodies of water. Processes that regulate the composition of natural waters. Chemical composition of natural waters. Surface water, groundwater, seawater, atmospheric water. Ion balance.
Topic 3. Chemical processes that determine water quality
Chemical balances in natural waters. Water-atmosphere interactions: carbonate equilibrium. Soil-water interactions: solubility balances, redox and adsorption equilibria. Use of VisualMinteq for speciation calculations in natural waters.
Topic 4. Pollution in natural waters
Chemical contaminants of water. Classes of contaminants. Origin of contaminants. Effects of chemical pollutants on fresh waters and marine environments.
Topic 5. Water quality regulations
EU Directives on water quality (WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE). Quality required for surface water intended for the production of drinking water (RD817/2015). Other quality criteria and standards (presence of phosphate, nitrate, etc.).
Topic 6. Chemical quality indices
Concept of water quality. Physical and chemical quality indicators. General Quality Index (ICG). Other indices. Critical view of the use of quality indices.
Topic 7. Microbiological indicators of water quality.
Faecal contamination indicators in water for human use. Microbiological environmental pollution indicators.

Case Study: Application of the competences acquired throughout the course to complete the following tasks:
• Design of a sampling plan to carry out a field trip to the Sar River
• Field trip to collect water samples in the Sar River
• Analysis in the laboratory of the characteristic chemical parameters of the quality of a water.
• Analysis in the laboratory of microbiological indicators of water quality.
• Preparation of a report that evaluates the quality of the water from the point of view of current regulations and application of general quality indices.
• Analysis of the evolution of the water quality of the Sar River based on comparison with historical data from the same river

Program of laboratory practice:
1.- Sampling (field trip): ISO 5667

2.- Physical and chemical properties
a) In situ Measurements: Turbidity (EN 27027). Conductivity (UNE EN 27888). Temperature. pH measurement. Dissolved oxygen. Percentage of oxygen saturation.

b) In lab determinations: Determination of alkalinity. Suspended solids (UNE-EN-872).

3.- Organic pollution
a) Biological oxygen demand (BOD5).

4.- Specific inorganic constituents
a) Cations: Calcium, magnesium (hardness), iron
b) Anions: Sulfates, chlorides, phosphates, silica
c) Nitrogen compounds: nitrates, nitrites, ammonium

5.- Microbiological contamination
a) Total aerobic bacteria count
(b) Total coliform count
c) Escherichia coli count
d) Enterococci count
(e) Clostridium perfringens count
f) Bacteriophage (coliphage) count

The reagents used in the different determinations will be prepared in the laboratory beforehand so that at no time will it be necessary to handle dangerous reagents that require special safety measures. The waste generated will be stored in the corresponding containers that will be in the laboratory duly labeled.

Antes del comienzo de las sesiones prácticas el profesorado indicará los equipos de protección personal necesarios y recordará las normas básicas de seguridad y ubicación de botiquín, lavaojos, ducha de emergencia y salidas de emergencia. Before the start of the practical sessions, the teaching staff will indicate the necessary personal protective equipment and remember the basic safety rules and location of the first aid kit, eyewash, emergency shower and emergency exits.

Basic

Manahan, S.E. Environmental Chemistry. 9ª edición. Boca Ratón, CRC-Press, 2009. ISBN: 9781420059205
Code ETSE: A200 15 B

Orozco, C., Pérez, A., González, M. N., Rodríguez, F. J., Alfayate, J. M. Contaminación ambiental. Una visión desde la Química. Madrid: Thomson, 2003. ISBN: 978-84-9732-178-5
Code Farmacia: A EMA 8

Hurst, C.J., Crawfod, R.L., Knudsen, G.R., McInerney, M.J., Stetzenbach, L.D. 2007. Manual of environmental microbiology, 3nd Edition. ASM Press, Washington D.C., USA.
ISBN : 978-1-55581-379-6
Code Biología: M 424 B

Complementary

Andrews, J.E., Brimblecombe, P., Jickells, T.D., Liss, P.S., Reid, B. An introduction to Environmental Chemistry, 2ª edición. Wiley-Blackwell, 2004. ISBN 978-1-118-68547-1.
Code Bioloxía: A EMA 697

Figueruelo, J. E., Dávila, M. M. Química Física del Ambiente y de los Procesos Medioambientales. Barcelona: Editorial Reverté, 2004. ISBN: 968-6708-54-5
Code Farmacia: EMA 377

American Public Health Association and American Water Works Association. Standard Methods, for examination of water and wastewater” 21th ed. Washington: APHA, 1998. ISBN: 0-87553-047-8.
Code ETSE: A221 1 B

Keith, L. H. (ed), Principles of Environmental Sampling. Washington: ACS Professional Reference Book, ACS, 1988. ISBN: 0-8412-1173-6
CodeQuímica: EMA 191

Basic and general

CB6 - Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context.
CB7 - Students should know how to apply the knowledge acquired and their ability to solve problems in new or little-known environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
CB8 - Students should be able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of formulating judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
CB9 - Students should know how to communicate their conclusions and the knowledge and ultimate reasons that support them to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
CB10 - Students will possess the learning skills that allow them to continue studying in a way that will be mainly self-directed or autonomous.
CG1 - Identify and enunciate environmental problems
CG5 - Carry out the appropriate research, undertake the design and direct the development of engineering solutions, in new or little-known environments, relating creativity, originality, innovation and technology transfer.
CG7 - Direct and manage the organization of work and human resources applying criteria of industrial safety, quality management, prevention of occupational risks, sustainability, and environmental management (good practices).

Especific

CE3 - Develop sufficient autonomy to participate in research projects and scientific or technological collaborations within the thematic scope of Environmental Engineering, in interdisciplinary contexts and, where appropriate, with a high component of knowledge transfer.
CE9 - Possess the skills of autonomous learning to maintain and improve the competences of Environmental Engineering that allow the continuous development of the profession.
CE10 - Be able to apply environmental management tools (Environmental Impact Studies, Life Cycle Analysis, Industrial Ecology, Clean Technologies, ISO Standards, EMAS) when making reports or projects.

Cross

CT1 - Develop skills associated with teamwork: cooperation, leadership, listening skills.
CT3 - Adapt to changes, being able to apply new and advanced technologies and other relevant developments, with initiative and entrepreneurial spirit.
CT4 - Demonstrate critical and self-critical reasoning, analytical and synthesis capacity
CT6 - Appreciate the value of quality and continuous improvement, acting with rigor, responsibility and professional ethics within the framework of commitment to sustainable development.

Through Moodle, the USC Larning Management System (LMS) will be used. It will be available all the information related to the teaching staff, schedules and programming, as well as material to support the study and personal work, such as scientific articles, legislation on water quality issues, PowerPoint presentations of the lectures, video tutorials on the use of speciation programs, videos of interest to the subject, current news related to the subject of the course, consultation documents, activities for personal work, etc.

There will be theoretical classes in which the bases on which the concept of water quality is based will be established, as well as the foundation of the physical-chemical and microbiological processes that control said quality and the current regulations that guarantee the conservation of the good state of the bodies of water. In the interactive classes, the concepts and skills acquired will be applied to the resolution of exercises and study cases through specific software for speciation calculations in natural environments and analysis of water quality parameters.

The course also includes a field trip to take samples in a river to subsequently carry out the complete analysis of the quality of its waters and issue a detailed report based on the skills worked during the course.

The practical laboratory classes will be developed in the laboratories of the ETSE and the students will work in small groups to determine the main compounds that indicate the quality of natural waters according to the existing regulations.

The admission and permanence of students enrolled in the laboratory of practices requires that they know and comply with the rules included in the Protocol of basic training in security for experimental spaces of the Higher Technical School of Engineering, available in the security section of its website to which can be accessed as follows:
1. Access your intranet.
2. Go to Documentation/Security/Training.
3. Click on "Basic security training protocol for experimental spaces".

In cases of fraud in the performance of exercises or tests, the Regulations for the evaluation of students' academic performance and the review of grades will apply.
Attendance at Laboratory classes is mandatory, without that attendance the student cannot be evaluated in any call.
Throughout the course different activities will be carried out. Some will be given to the teachers and others will be presented in front of the class to be defended and discussed with the rest of the classmates and the faculty.

There will be no final exam per se. However, on the date scheduled for this purpose, all students must present a final report that they will have previously delivered through the LMS. This report must include an integrative vision of the contents worked on in the matter, focusing all these contents towards the evaluation of the quality of the water of the river/rivers with which they have worked in the laboratory sessions. It must include, therefore, from the design of the sampling, through the analytical techniques used for the determination of water quality in the laboratory, to the elaboration of the corresponding quality indices and their analysis from the point of view of current regulations.

The assessment will be based on the skills acquired, so that these will be evaluated in the different activities carried out throughout the course.

Activities:
1. Design of a sampling plan
2. Field trip for water sampling (Sar and Sarela rivers)
3. Laboratory
4. Case Studies
5. Final report

Assessment of competences by activity (competence:activities):

CB6: 1,4,5
CB7: 4,5
CB8: 4,5
CB9: 1,4,5
CB10: 1,4
CG1: 2,4,5
CG5: 1,4
CG7: 2,3,5
CE3: 1,4,5
CE9: 1,4
CE10: 5
CT1: 2,3,5
CT3: 4
CT4: 4,5
CT6: 5

Distribution of assessment precentages:

30% Exam
• Oran presentation (based on activity 5)

70% Continuous assessment
• Activity 1: 15%
• Activity 3: 20%
• Activity 4: 35%

In case of having to sit a second opportunity of exam, the grades of those activities that are above 5 will be kept. Only the part that had not been passed at the first opportunity of examination (grade less than 5) will be repeated.

Students re-taking the course will have to do all the activities again since these usually change from one year to the next. The laboratory practices will be carried out again since the whole course (activities, work and exam) focuses on them.

The course has a workload of 4.5 ECTS credits, 1 ECTS credit corresponding to 25 hours of total work. The credits are distributed as indicated in the table, where the face-to-face hours indicate the number of hours of classes, through the various activities that are carried out, the factor indicates the estimation of hours that the student should need per hour of activity and finally, as a result of multiplying the number of face-to-face hours by the factor considered, the number of hours of personal work of the student is obtained.

Activity Face-to-face/h Factor Individual work/h TOTAL

Theoretical 14 2 28 42

Interactive 18 2 36 54

Tutorials 4 1.6 6.3 10.3

Exam 2 2.1 4.2 6.2

TOTAL 38 - 74.5 112.5

Students who enroll in this subject must have a series of basic knowledge in Chemistry that are important to overcome it.

On the other hand, to achieve optimal performance in the course it is advisable that the student has a series of additional knowledge: mastery of the English language at the reading level and knowledge of computer applications at the user level (Word, Excel, Power Point, or similar, use of email, consultation of web pages), and some knowledge of Environmental Regulations.

This course will be taught in Spanish