Module: Water & Waste Management

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Water & Waste Management
Module Code	MEC1080 (ITS: MM439B)
Faculty	Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The combination of population growth, affluence, and improvements in living conditions as well as a consumerism unfortunately increases the amount of waste that is produced across the globe. In a sustainable society, water and resource consumption and waste generation should be minimised and managed effectively. Innovative engineering solutions and technologies can help, but must be applied in conjunction with sustainability principles such as resource consumption reduction, the waste and energy hierarchies and the move to a more circular economy. This module will educate students on the technical and management aspects of water and wastewater treatment systems (primarily wastewater and potable water) and solid waste treatment and management. The module also addresses the environmental, societal and economic aspects of water and waste systems, and how water and waste management aligns with the SDGs

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the legislative drivers for water, wastewater and solid waste treatment and management in Europe and Ireland.
2. Design and assess the operation of physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes in conventional wastewater, water and municipal solid waste.
3. Calculate hydraulic and organic loading based on population equivalence, and determine water treatment requirement.
4. Apply suitable waste management processes, taking into account energy demand and carbon emissions for different waste streams.
5. Understand the evolution and social context of wastewater, water and solid waste treatment systems.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures in class
Tutorial	6	Tutorials
Assignment Completion	30	Review of nature based solutions for wastewater and waste treatment in developing countries.
Independent Study	65	Preparation for exams and independent study
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21299	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Lorna Fitzsimons	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Review of nature based solutions for wastewater treatment	20%	Week 10
Formal Examination	End of semester written exam	80%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Water, wastewater and waste management legislative and regulatory drivers
EU and Irish legislation; EPA physical, chemical and biological water quality parameters; UN SDGs

Water, wastewater and waste: history and society
Historical development and societal impact of wastewater and waste management

Wastewater and Water treatment processes
Water and wastewater treatment systems: physical, chemical and biological processes; typical design calculations in terms of load, and expected removal of particular contaminants. Process design, e.g. sizing of clarifiers, aeration basins.

Solid Waste systems
The waste hierarchy and circular economy; municipal solid waste systems (collection and treatment); reuse and recycling; composting; waste treatment processes: waste to energy, AD; landfill design and operation.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Mihelcic and Zimmerman: 2021, Environmental Engineering: Fundamentals, Sustainability, Design, 3rd, Wiley, ISBN: 978-1-1
Tchobanoglus, G., Burton, F., & Stensel, H. D.: 2013, Wastewater engineering: Treatment and reuse., 5, American Water Works Association,
Williams, P. T.: 2013, Waste treatment and disposal, 4, John Wiley & Sons,
Henze, M., van Loosdrecht, M. C., Ekama, G. A., & Brdjanovic, D: 2008, Biological wastewater treatment, IWA publishing,

Articles:

Wiesmeth, H.: 2020, Implementing the Circular Economy for Sustainable Development, Elsevier,

Other Resources

None