THT313 Water Management in Cold Climate

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Harsha Chandima Ratnaweera

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:80

Course frequency:Anually, lectures in June, Project report submission in August.

Nominal workload:Ca. 40 hours of lectures, exercises, excursions within one intensive week, and 85 hours project work during July-August.

Teaching and exam period:The course starts in June block and ends in the August block.

About this course

Background

Cold and temperate climates have special challenges when it comes to the management of water, water supply and wastewater treatment. Some of the most pristine environments are located in colder climates and the pollution of water by emerging contaminents, in addition to the nutrients, is an increasing challenge. Most treatment processes are temperature dependent, requiring additional volume and time due to the slowing down of conventional processes at lower temperatures. Water distribution and sewer systems need special care to minimise operational problems during winters and snow melting periods. Climate change often negatively impacts these conditions further.

Course contents:

Lectures on: Water quality status, Water resources management, Water treatment, Wastewater treatment related to Cold Climates - including arctic and tempered climates, and impact of climate change.

Project report/scientific writing.

Excursions: to water and wastewater treatment plants focusing on challenges and solution in cold climates.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: students will have an extended understanding of cold climate conditions related pollution states and management, treatment and operational aspects of treatment systems.

Professional skills: Students shall be able to make conceptual designs for water supply and wastewater treatment systems addressing the challenges in cold climates. They shall be able to carry out a literature review using modern scientific databases and the internet and to prepare a well-structured project report.

General competence: students shall have an extended understanding of the pollution trends in cold climates and specialised techniques to manage challenges related to water supply and wastewater treatment processes. They will be able to identify the advantages/weaknesses in current systems and propose improvements based on modern practices.

  • (1) Lectures (2) analytical work in small teams, (3) excursion to the treatment plant(s) to learn how the unit processes are integrated and their operational challenges. (4) instructions and hands-on practice in the usage of scientific databases and reporting. The excursion can be combined with THT311.
  • By email or pre-agreed meetings with lecturers
  • THT271 or similar
  • Total assessment:

    • Multiple Choice Questions at the end of the 1 week of lectures (50%)
    • Evaluation of project work (50%)

    Both parts must be passed to pass the course.

    Grading system A-E/Ikke bestått

  • External evaluator (sensor) is used in the design of exams and calibration of the markes.
  • Compulsory participation in all activities during the block course (usually 5 working days in June) and a project report to be submitted by August
  • Part-I: One week of intensive, full-time work: 40 hours of lectures, group work. excursions.

    Part-II: Project work (can be carried out outside of NMBU).

    Part-III: submission of the project report

  • M-VM
  • none
  • Letter grades
  • RealFag / Engineering sciences