Introduction

Water pollution is a critical environmental issue affecting ecosystems, human health, and economic prosperity. This unit provides a comprehensive overview of the sources, types, causes, and consequences of water pollution. Students will explore various water pollutants originating from industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, urban sewage, and other sources.

The unit covers the sampling of water and wastewater, including techniques for collection, storage, and preservation to ensure accurate analysis. Students will learn about physical parameters such as color, alkalinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, temperature, odor, turbidity, and hardness, which are essential for assessing water quality.

Chemical analysis methods will be discussed, including the determination of carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, and heavy metal concentrations. Additionally, students will study biological indicators like dissolved oxygen levels, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD), which provide insights into water quality and ecosystem health.

This foundational knowledge equips students with the tools to identify, analyze, and address water pollution issues effectively.

Objectives

After going through this unit you will be able to:

1. explain sources, types, causes, and consequences of water pollution;

2. understand sampling of water and wastewater;

3. analyse physical, chemical and biological methods.