Task 1: US case study 1
1. Define watershed
-Generally, a watershed is an area of land that collects and traps storm water or snow
which channels them through soil into a body of water such as marsh, stream or lake.
In other words, a watershed can be said at a lower point of the collection area for
rainwater.
2. Why is it important to protect a watershed?
-watersheds are very crucial because of all the surface water and storm water will be
drained to body of water such as drain
-it helps to preserve the quality of water by assisting to control pollution by
identifying the pollutants in the watershed that may be detrimental to human health
-to ensure the sources of drinking water are clean and safe for human intake and
utility such as drinking and daily use.
3. Some ground projects were implemented in places where there are
polluting businesses. What are the goals intended to combat these problems?
-the goal of implementing these projects is to remove and reduce threats to surface
water and municipal drinking supplies
-to empower stakeholders to take initiatives and preserve municipal drinking water
supply
-to raise public and community awareness of the importance to prevent pollution of
water and making connection with the storm water drainage and municipal drinking
water supply
-to gain knowledge and understanding with involvement for preparation of future
watershed studies
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4. Discuss strategies and prevention undertaken to minimize the pollution
problems. Use short bullet points to answer.
-The strategy initiated is used to stop by avoiding pollutants and waste in contact with
water. For example, a spill containment sump that captures any spill during fueling to
prevent oil fuel being washed into the storm sewer which could affect water quality.
-Besides, swale enhancement by intensifying its filtration effectiveness before runoff
infiltrate into watershed by removing the invasive species, regrading, equipped with
clear water buffer strips and sediment traps to trap deposit and lastly buffer protection
to indicate boundary and prevent any encroachment by using posts and stones.
-Prevention undertaken is by education to educate the public and raise public
awareness regarding the environmental problems and discouragement of detrimental
action that may have negative impact on the environment.
-Education improvises the public understanding of how their negative practices such
as illegal dumping influence on the environment. With the provision of fact sheets and
warning signs, these can provide technical information to educate the public and
inhibit them from illegal dumping and etc.
5. In US putting up signs may help combat littering and polluting .How?
-Primarily, there are three different signs being created which are notifying sign,
informational and warning signs that provide information regarding the clear water
project
-that used to alert people on site of the project and raise their awareness of the
importance of the clean environment
-it may help to deprecate the public not only take care of watershed but be more
realized and understood about the pollution and environmental problems
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-Indirectly, these signs are actually helping those project implementers to combat
littering and polluting from people.
6. Explain Spill Containment Sump.
-A spill containment sump is a sump that provides a pad surface in the fuel station that
forms a small hole on the ground to capture or trap any oil spills that may be
discharged during the fueling process by the service vehicles.
-it is used to ensure the water or storm water is not likely to be contaminated by the
oil spills or discharges which could affect public health
-it helps to preserve the water quality by preventing the oil spills in contact with storm
water and drained into storm sewer, watershed and bodies of water
-it is equipped with a shut-off valve which will normally be opened to egress
rainwater and is closed during the fueling process, any spills or discharges will flow
into the containment sump and removed after the fueling process is done.
-this practice may help to improvise the water quality by reducing the pollutants
found in the watershed
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Task 2: US case study 2
1. Define green infrastructure. Use short bullet points to answer
-Green infrastructure is an approach for water management that seeks to reduce or
divert storm water from sewerage systems and direct it to areas where it can be
infiltrated, reused or evapotranspirated.
-Green infrastructure is implemented to manage and mitigate the polluted runoff
created by precipitation that falls on rooftops, streets sidewalks, parking lots and other
impervious surface
-it is more effective, economical and enhances community safety and quality of life
-use or mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evapotranspirate or reuse storm water or
runoff on the site where it is generated.
2. Why do they need to apply green infrastructure to Brownfield?
-to protect open space and prevent further pollution of the nation’s water
-to minimize total impervious area and managing stormwater onsite to prevent surface
runoff
-to manage rainfall through evapotranspiration and bio-filtration
3. State merits brought to the redevelopment of some Brownfield areas.
-creating more jobs and residents and increased revenue and income
-improve water quality and ecosystem health
-additional recreation areas including unique and attractive streetscapes
-helping the city becomes more competitive in attracting housing and development
4. State demerits brought to the redevelopment of the Brownfield areas.
-increase of impervious surfaces contributing to runoff and nonpoint source pollution
5. Using paragraphs D&F, state 5 ways of managing stormwater.
-Extensive and intensive green roof
-Bio-filtration swale in street median
-Bio-retention basin collects runoff
-Cistern incorporated into architecture
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-Infiltration trenches and permeable paving used for emergency access lane
6. How did the authorities upgrade residential areas in Pittsburg?
-On-site soils were blended with granular slag, wood chips and fertiliser and used
to plant steep slopes with grasses and legumes.
-tree tolerant of high pH and compaction were also used to populate the stream
banks
-the project increases the city’s green space and created new trails connecting
Frick Park to river
-it creates housing area without let go of any natural space and resources and have
improved river access, enhanced tax revenues, new recreational opportunities and
beautiful landscape
7. Select 2 definitions: provide labeled diagrams.
Bioswales are open channels with a dense cover of vegetation where runoff is
directed or retained to evapotranspirate and filter.
Green roofs can be used to effectively reduce or eliminate runoff from small
and medium sized storms. A soil mixture is placed over a waterproof membrane and
drainage system and then planted with water absorbent and drought tolerant plants.
Most systems also have root barriers. These roofs soak up stormwater and release it
back into the atmosphere through evaporation and plant respiration, while draining
excess runoff.
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Task 3: Tutorial answers on water supply
.
1. Illustrate the river back to river concept of the water usage cycle. State
the relevant authorities; in charge of the various stages.
River back to river concept of the water usage concept actually explaining the
water supply from the river is lately being directed back to the river after used in a
continual process. Where the human conserve treated water from the river and after
consumption water will be flow to sewers and back to rivers. The process started with
where JBA ( Jabatan Bekalan Air) and IWK (Indah Water Konsortium) directed the
water from the river for water treatment by using pump house. The water quality of
the river is also being monitored by DOE (Department of Environment) to detect
water quality changes and identify any pollution sources. After treatment, the treated
water will be pumped to the service reservoir or water tower in the respective
residential area and readily to be pumped to the houses. After consumption, water
flows to drainage and sewer and sewage treatment will be done by IWK before it is
pumped to the river again. This whole process is illustrating the river back to river
concept of the water usage cycle.
2. Why do we need to treat water?
The main purpose to treat water is to ensure the water is safe to be used by
human daily needs. Primarily, to ensure the water is free from any impurities and
bacteria which may have negative impact on our health. For instance, silicon dioxide
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also known as silica could lead to risk of getting lung cancer and progressive and
irreversible lung diseases such as tuberculosis.
Secondly, to ensure there is an adequate amount of water for all people to carry
out daily activities such as bathing and washing. Next,to ensure the water is cheap and
can be affordable by everyone and readily available for the agriculture sector and
factory to combat emergency moments such as drought without disturbing their
production level. Lastly, to ensure all the wastewater could be readily disposed off
after use to assure hygienic problems can be solved and increase overall personal
health.
3. State the purposes of filtration in brief
The main purpose of filtration in the water treatment process is to filter or remove any
suspended particles from water by passing the water through a filter medium such as
sand. The filtration usually will be the last step of the whole water treatment process
superseded the sedimentation to remove all the coagulate found in the water.The
suspended filtrate in the water is removed and followed by aeration and chemical
treatment.
4. Define disinfection and state its purpose
Disinfection is a process of cleaning water with the aid of chemical treatment to
destroy or kill any pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses that could cause
disease to humans such as cholera that cause diarrhea. Commonly, the chemical used
will be chlorine which is usually added to raw water after screening and before flash
mixing processes known as prechlorination and prechlorination after the last stage of
the treatment process.
5. Explain water distribution by gravity and pumped process. Using
diagram to aid your answers. Include discussion on its merits and demerits.
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A gravity system is a water distribution system that basically relies on the
gravitational force or gravitational potential energy and does not use any pump system
to direct water sources to the consumer or residential areas. This system generally is
suitable when the water supply source is located at a higher area than the service area
such as located at the mountains or hill. As the water source will flow from higher
place to lower through potential energy, this basically helps to save cost and
effectiveness due to less maintenance cost as not using any pump system.
Conversely, the pumped system is another type of water distribution system
that relies on the pump system rather than the gravity that basically will be used when
the supply source is at the same height or lower than the service areas. For instance,
the water directed from lakes to mountainside houses. The pumped system generally
will be more costly than the gravity system as it needs more maintenance cost and any
power breakdown will disrupt the system. However, the high pressure pump will help
the consumer obtain water directly and more quickly.
The combined system includes both features pump and gravity which have
economical advantages and are pumped at constant rate, and excess water during low
water demand will be kept in the storage tank. Demerits are having a problem
associated with operation and maintenance of pumping stations.
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6a) Define direct and indirect water supply, using a labeled diagram for each
Direct water supply is a water supply system when large high-level reservoirs
provide a good mains supply and water pressure that is possible to use a direct water
supply water system in low rise buildings. For instance, a double storey terrace house.
All the sanitary fittings are supplied with cold water direct from the main and cistern
is required only to feed the hot-water storage cylinder if necessary in this system.
Indirect water supply is a water supply system where the water is not directly
flowing into the house water system instead of a water storage tank before draws out
to other appliances. In this system, all the sanitary fittings such as the bath room is
supplied indirectly from the cold-water storage cistern except for drinking water in the
kitchen as the drinking water is always connected to the rising main to ensure safe
drinking water supply because stored water may have a high risk of being
contaminated.
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6b) what are the main differences between the 2 types of water supply mentioned
in 6a.
For the direct water supply system, all appliances of the house are directly
connected to the main supply from the relevant authorities while for the indirect
supply system the appliances are fed with the water from the storage tank which is
located at the high-level except for the kitchen sink.
Next, water pressure directly from the main, has higher water pressure
compared to indirect water supply systems that need the storage tank to have
sufficient high to direct water to the house fittings.
Lastly, the direct water supply system basically has better water quality as it
comes after treatment while water quality is affected as water is stored in storage
tanks before being supplied to appliances such as bathrooms in the indirect water
supply system.
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Task 4: Tutorial answers on Sanitation & Sewerage
1. Discuss separate and combined systems of discharge, using the aid of the
diagram
A separate system is a type of sewerage system that the sanitary sewage and
storm water are carried separately in two sets of sewer where the sewage is conveyed
to waste water treatment plants and the storm water is conveyed to rivers without
treatment. This system is suitable for areas where the topography is allowed for the
disposal of storm water by gravity and pumping for sanitary sewage to treatment
plants. This system prevents overflow of sewer during rainy periods and mixing of
polluted runoff and microbial pollutants from municipal wastewater.
A combined system of discharge is another type of sewerage collection system
that is designed to collect storm water and sewage water simultaneously in a shared
system without any separation of sewers. It may cause an overflow during heavy rain
and must be pumped.
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2. With a sketch explain 4 types of discharge pipes with a building
.
a) Soil pipe
-is a vertical pipe that conveying waste water and greywater from water closet urinals
form the building
b) Waste pipe
-is a smaller diameter pipe that used to convey water-bound discharge from sinks,
baths, showers, wash basins and bidets
c) Vent pipe
-a vent pipe is a pipe that extends from waste pipe or soil pipe to the outside of the
building mostly roof that used to remove gas and odour from the sanitary system.
d) Anti-siphon pipe
- is a pipe that is connected to the outlet of the toilet seat to prevent or block fluid
backward motion and to prevent loss of trap water seal.
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3. Explain a manhole using a section diagram.
-manhole is a brick or concrete chamber on a drain or sewer to allow man-entry for
cleaning, rodding, inspection and removal of debris from the system.
4. State the main purposes of waste water treatment
-use to remove any contaminant from waste water and sewage
-to convert effluent to materials that are not harmful before released into river
-to dispose those toxic and harmful materials safely
5. Describe the septic tank using a simplified diagram. When is it necessary?
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A septic tank is an underground chamber that is made of brick, concrete,
polyethylene or fiberglass for which wastewater flows for basic treatment that is often
buried near the house. A Septic tank allows waste to be separated into solids, effluent
and scum by letting the solids to be settled down where the microbes can be
decomposed through anaerobic process. Effluent could exit by flowing through a
distribution pipe to the drain.
6. Briefly explain a gully trap.
A gully trap is a basin in the ground which receives piped wastewater from
home before it is emptied into the sewer. It has a water seal to prevent foul odours of
the sewer reaching the surface and the top is raised above ground level to prevent
storm water from entering the sewer.
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Task 5: Detailed plumbing layout (clean water)
The double-storey house is well-equipped with a plumbing layout that the
direct water supply comes from JBA to the kitchen and the water storage. The water
storage tank supplies and directs the water to all houses fitting especially the
bathroom. JBA supplies clean and treated water to all areas for supporting their daily
uses.
In general, most houses have an efficient water supply from JBA as we are not
facing any problems for any appliance and house fitting and carry out daily activities
such as flushing toilets and taking baths. Undoubtedly, JBA is considered as a good
water supply provider in Malaysia.
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Task 6: Detailed Sanitary layout (toilet waste)
The double-storey house is well-equipped with a sanitary discharge system
provided by the Indah Water Konsortium. The sanitary discharge is crucial as it helps
to expel any greywater and wastewater after it is used to leave the building
immediately in order to prevent diseases and improve overall hygienic health.
Sanitary discharge system provided by JBA ensures that wastewater and
greywater from kitchen and bathroom flow to manholes and direct to the sewer
system immediately. Therefore, Indah Water Konsortium is considered as a good
service provider that provides such service to all Malaysian in order to enhance
people’s hygienic health in Malaysia.
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Task 7: Service Providers
1. Indah Water Konsortium (IWK)
Indah Water Konsortium(IWK) is a national sewerage company owned by the
Malaysia Government under the Ministry of Finance (MOT). It was established in
1994 which is responsible for providing sewerage service nationwide. Since 1994,
IWK has taken over all sewerage service from local authorities except for the
Kelantan, Sabah, Sarawak, Johor Bahru and Pasir Gudang. IWK has been entrusted
with a task for sustainable development and maintaining an efficient sewerage system
for all Malaysian and help to preserve the country’s waste resources, protect public
health and provide a cleaner and safer environment for people.
The vision of IWK is developing workers with strong spiritual, political and ethical
values to fulfill the vision company.
The mission of IWK is to strive to achieve the highest quality for effective sewerage
facilities by zero tolerance of corruption and act as a corporate role model.
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2. Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS)
Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) or Jabatan Pengaliran dan Saliran (JPS)
is a department under the direction of the Ministry of Environment and Water that
was established since 1932 to take over the responsibilities from Jabatan Kerja Raya
regarding all work related to drainage and water rope. DID is a department
responsible for all water issues in Malaysia. Now, the job scope of DID has been
expanded to river basin management and coastal zone, water resources management
and hydrology, special project, flood management and environmental friendly
drainage. Until now, DID have sown to the development of the country for 80 years
and committed in the sustainable management to ensure smooth development of the
country.
Their mission is to provide engineering expertise services and water resources
management including river management, coastal and manage flood and drought in a
holistic way to improve citizen life in the context of water security and environment
sustainability. Their vision is to lead the Engineering Expertise Services and National
Water Resources Management.
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3. Jabatan Bekalan Air (JBA)
JBA also known as the Department of water supply that is responsible to plan,
implement, coordinate, monitor and manage waterworks and all water supply
development projects in all states. The main function of JBA is to provide sufficient
water supply to all citizens and provide well organized, integrated and quality
infrastructure to the whole of Malaysia which is directly financed by the Federal
Government. Besides, it helps to plan, coordinate and implement water sources
development programs studies and water infrastructure monitoring activities to ensure
the quality of development. Further, JBA also act as an advisor to provide information
and technical advice to relevant ministries and agencies for water supply engineering
matters.
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