In this course, students will examine frameworks for providing safe drinking water using a systems thinking approach. We will examine the impacts of unintended consequences of change and poor design on downstream water quality. Vitally, we will conduct in-depth analysis of case studies of waterborne outbreaks or toxic exposures, looking at failure elements and fault-tree analysis. We will also examine new threats to water quality through impacts of climate change and identify strategies for managing unquantifiable or unknown risks from contaminants of emerging concern. Students will gain hands on experience for evaluating unintended consequences of change through laboratory-based research. (3.0 credits: term course delivered in one 12-week semester, 4 hours/week) PREREQUISITE: CIVL 372, CIVL 472 or equivalent course in water and/or wastewater treatment. Background in wastewater treatment may be acceptable, but student would need to commit to independent learning to have sufficient background on water treatment processes.
In this course, students will examine frameworks for providing safe drinking water using a systems thinking approach. We will examine the impacts of unintended consequences of change and poor design on downstream water quality. Vitally, we will conduct in-depth analysis of case studies of waterborne outbreaks or toxic exposures, looking at failure elements and fault-tree analysis. We will also examine new threats to water quality through impacts of climate change and identify strategies for managing unquantifiable or unknown risks from contaminants of emerging concern. Students will gain hands on experience for evaluating unintended consequences of change through laboratory-based research. (3.0 credits: term course delivered in one 12-week semester, 4 hours/week) PREREQUISITE: CIVL 372, CIVL 472 or equivalent course in water and/or wastewater treatment. Background in wastewater treatment may be acceptable, but student would need to commit to independent learning to have sufficient background on water treatment processes.
