Overview

The aim of this unit is to discover and apply the scientific knowledge required to identify likely water-based pollutants, their effects, how to detect and quantify them and how to treat them. Students will apply this skill set across a variety of water bodies including drinking water, wastewater and recreational water.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PEH20006 Water Science

Rule

CHE10001 Chemistry 1
OR
CHE10004 Introduction to Chemistry
OR
CEE20005 Engineering Chemistry

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Describe the environmental impact of industrial and domestic pollution on water quality
  • Formulate relevant treatments to remediate water contaminated with a variety of pollutants
  • Use a Hach kit and lab techniques to analyse selected chemical contaminants in water
  • Describe some of the issues involved in swimming pool water quality and create solutions for these problems
  • Assess water management and the capacity for water as an alternative energy source

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class
2.00 12 weeks 24
On-campus
Lab
3.00 9 weeks 27
Online
Learning activities
2.00 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
6.25 12 weeks 75
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssessmentIndividual/Group 10 - 20% 1,3,4 
AssignmentIndividual 10 - 20% 1,2,4,5 
Final-Semester TestIndividual 40 - 50% 1,2,4 
Laboratory ReportIndividual/Group 15 - 25% 1,2,3,4 
ReviewIndividual 10 - 20% 1,2,4,5 

Hurdle

As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:

(i)   An aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii)  At least 40% in the final test, and(iii) Completion of a specific fraction of non-reportable laboratory work based on the criteria for successful completion as explained in the lab handout(s).Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirements (ii) and (iii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.

Content

  • Study of the environmental impact of industrial and domestic pollution on natural water
  • Sources of pollutants, including introduction of grey water usage.
  • Use of portable test equipment for the evaluation of natural water purity: HACH, DO meters, conductivity, pH.
  • Water sampling methods.
  • Significance of various water testing parameters. Identifying problems.
  • Chemistry and disinfection of swimming pool and spa water. Swimming pool portable testing equipment. Laboratory titrations to evaluate pool and spa water.
  • Water treatment methods with emphasis on tertiary treatment.
  • Physical treatment processes for drinking water and water supply systems.
  • Water management
  • Water for energy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.