WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT. WQB 780 2007 TEST MEMORANDUM 16 April 2007 PARTI: Questions | to 4, Answer all questions. Ql @ With reference to the Study of the Roman Water Law, briefly describe the principles governing water use: (i) Riparian system of allocation;.in which the right to use water is tied to the ownership of Jand along rivers, was effectively be abolished in SA in the mid 1990's. Transitional )_~ arrangements will, over time, ensure an orderly, efficient and gradual shift in water use allocations as and when necessary. (Ref. RWL, White Paper on SA Policy). (6 pts) L> fier appoprintim aitocet2— Principle (ii) Right of use was tied to the first use. This applied by Roman Praetors as an interdict that afforded the prior appropriator (user) protection against subsequent appropriztors and thus ‘established the principle of prior appropriation. The weakness of the principle being that, it encourages holding without use also referred to as holding for speculation. This might ‘encourage the creation monopolies in the long-run. (Ref. RWL, White Paper). (6 pts) Please note that both principles were applied at different times and in different regions of the Roman Empire depending on the scarcity or abundance of water resources. (b) State at least eight key elements of a well planned water quality management programme. Refer to the summary on page 35 (Chapman), 10 are listed (i) Objectives of the programme must be clearly stated. Gi) Conduct preliminary surveys to determine the nature. extent and variability of the water body. (iii) Determine the variables, sample type and sampling methods (programme) for monitorin: (iv) Determine the required and field facilities for measurement of variables, (¥) Determine if it will be necessary to conduct biological studies through the study of biota or particulates (vi) Hydrological monitoring must be planned and conducted, (vil) Include strategy for good quality control (viii) Data must be analysed by properly qualified professionals (4p) (6) State at least 5 factors that will affect the searcity of water in South Africa beyond the year 2025. state at least 4 strategies that could be implemented to prevent (or postpone) a water crisis.Factors include: (i) Poputation growth (ii), Urbanisation (iii) Unplanned agricultural activities {iv) Pollution which result in more and more water bodies rendered unsuitable as water supply sources (v)_ Excessive water wastage, non-revenued water and wastage through spillage (vi) Poor land use practices resulting in rampant cutting down of forests in watershed areas resulting in low water table and diminishing groundwater resources. Strategically addressing these problems from a water professional view point, includes (3) Address land use and industrial pollution problems by proper regulation that involves both polluters and the communities. (i) Implementation of conservation strategy which is only possible through education of the consumers and stake holders. (iii) Invest in research on new technologies and strategies to achieve sustainable use and preservation of current water resources, these include: technologies for desalination of see water, treatment and reclamation of treated wastewater, groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, ete, (iv) Look at possibilities of importation of water through collaboration with neighbouring ccoutntties, such as the importation of water from the mega-rivers up north or towing of ice from the Antarctica. (Spits) [21 poiats | Q2a. Explain the significance of Random Errors and Systematic Errors on the quality of laboratory data, State how each type of error can be minimised. (Random Error) Are indeterminate errors that come for natural variability due to inherent variability in the method itself. Random errors are unavoidable but can be minimised through practice. (e.g. an archers error in hitting the bull's eye decreases the more he/she shoots the arrows), (3 pts) ‘GisGmatic ES) Are determinate in that a particular problem such as low sensitivity of an equipment may cause the error. Normally are identified having a distribution that is skewed on one side of the average. Systematic errors are avoided by proper troubleshooting and ‘maintenance of equipment and proper training of technicians analysing the samples. (3 pts ) b. Describe the main differences in handling procedures for (a) biological samples {e.g., for faecal coliform determination] and (b) chemical samples [e.g. for determination of PCB concentration] in water when the samples are collected from a distance about 100-200 km from the nearest laboratory, (8 pts)@ (SMP Chapter 11) Biological Samples: Consider the following problems - Biological samples degrade quickly. ~ Change of temperature, pH or DO concentration will change biological characteristics ~ Assubstrate or substrates may disappear due to metabolic processes which changes the sample quality Ifa field measuring method is available, it must be used in preference to transporting the samples. However, not all parameters have reliable onsite measurement methodologies. ‘Samples must be frozen to decrease the metabolic rate of organisms without killing them (Avoid adding chemicals such as acids and bases that kill the biological component and change the sample conditions drastically). After arrival, itis recommended to analyse the samples within 24 hours after arrival. Some parameters such as microbial analysis may require culturing upon arrival. Long storage times must be avoided since, even after freezing, metabolic processes continue thereby changing the sample. Chemical Samples: The main consideration with chemical samples is to avoid introduction of foreign chemicals into the sample (contamination). Samples may be acidified in order to sterilize them and decrease the introduction of organic ligands originating from metabolic processes. The treatment fro preservation of organic chemicals differs from metals since with the organics, the effect of biological activity is still a concern. For metals, minimum sample ‘reatment is required. Describe the relationship between Quality Assurance and Quality Control. (4p) SMP Section 10.10 QA = following of a set of principles for collection and analysis of environmental samples in “order to produce data of known and defensible quality. QC = procedures that are part of the QA followed to produce credible results. [18 points | State the advantages and disadvantages of using the following methods as biological water quality indicators: (Faecal and Total Coliform counts. (4pts) | Advantages : [ | | Simple to sample easy to analyse Other mammals also exerete FCs | Cost effective Results come a day for TCs and two days for | Sate to handle FCs after the fact, | Safely indicates the probability of human Coliforms are not resilient as some pathogens, pollution —thus thet absence does not necessarily mean there has not been an incident of human pollu (ii) BODS analysis,Cheap sampling methods apply. Is specific for biodegradable organics, a component that causes oxygen deficit in water. Correlates well with COD in most conditions. ii) COD analysis. (Advantages Results imm: after sampling). Errors are lesser. non sensitive to interference and toxic substances ily timeously (a few hours (iv) Microscopy. [Good when morphology and composition of microorganisms is important (e.g, wastewater treatment plants) | On the spot, presence of organisms is | detected in the real time _LNHA™ give false results the fact. Conditions in the bottle at 200 as far removed from the natural conditions. Is affected by the presence af toxic compounds (very susceptible to toxicity). Other oxygen consuming species such as (4pts) [Disadvantage “| For industrial effluents, a high COD does not always imply biodegradability of the sample. Better training of technicians as it requires application of advanced chemical knowledge Disadvantage - Most pathogens can not be seen through the | microscope (viruses, smaller bacteria, et.) Becteria may not occur in small enough numbers to be detected but high enough to cause health problems Requires well trained and qualified personnel. [ Advantages Gives, conclusive and definitive results. Very accurate and conducted real time. Like microscopy can yield accurate description of composition and morphology. Can culture microorganisms that are not | culturabl Disadvantage Very expensive, requires a specialised laboratory and specialised personnel Some of the methods may require time [20 points |Qs ‘The following analysis was obtained on a drinking water sample. Parameter mg/asion | mmol | meqil | mg/las | - CacOs Ca 100 25 3 250_ Me™ 36.6 15 3 150 Na" 15 3 3 250 COs 300, 49 49 245 | soe 240) 25 5 250 cr, 2 i00 ‘Total Cations B 650) “Total Anions 1 395, Atomic mass: Ca C= 12; C1=35,5; P (a) Complete the table. (Spts) Refer to table. (b) Comment on the validity of the analysis. (2pts) = 15.3% Analysis has a problem. (©) Draw a meg/ bar diagram of the sample. (3 pts) ca Ma" NeW ] Hoos soe dr (a) Calculate total hardness and total alkalinity. (2pts) Read from diagram: Total hardness (Ca** + Mg”), 250 + 150 = 400 mg/L as CaCOs. Read from diagram: Total alkalinity (COs) = 245 mg/l. as CaCO, (©) Calculate carbonate alkalinity. (2pts) Read from diagram: Carbonate alkalinity (hardness) (Associated with Ca**)= 245 mg/L as €alOs. (© Comment on the suitability of the water for drinking purposes. ‘The water calls for softening before use. Total hardness is too (2pts) [16 points |PARTI: Choose one question. Q5 a. Provide the equation for measured BOD in a bottle, calculated from the difference in dissolved ‘oxygen concentration between time zero (Dy) and time 7 (D,). Use a dilution factor based on sample volume x to 300 mL, P = x/300. (4pts) BOD, is measured based on amount of oxygen consumed, BOD, = Where P= the dilution factor x/bottle volume. By substitution: (Dy-P,)-P BOD, = (apts) b. (i) Use the Thomas Slope method to linearise the BOD data given in Table 2 (below) for specific incubation times. (4pts) TABLE 2. BOD Analysis Data Time. t, days BOD, y, mg/L. (uyy'” RUZ, LAE 1 122 0.202 2 7 0.250 3 184 0.2250 4 193 0276 5 203 0.292 6 205, 0.307 7 207 0.324 a Gil) The equation (J =(1,4)" {£5} is used in linear regression to determine the y- vO L, intercept and slope: a=(L,ky = 0.186 2 b (2s) = 0.0216 61, a ‘The values of k and Lo are thus determined © kee = 0.71 /day . ib = 234 mg/L (10 pts)c. A natural stream receives a flow of polluted industrial wastewater with characteristics Table 3 (below). Determine the BOD at the outfall. Assume that the wastewater is completely mixed across the width of the river upon entering the river. Qu + OcCs= OeCe where Q.= Qe + Qe 218.75 mg/l. (2pts) ‘TABLE 3. Stream BOD loading data Location, Outfall Parameter Value for Wastewater 1" Discharge Point Flow, m’/s 0.06 BOD, mg/L, 3500 Assume a kg value for the river of 0.69 4". 4. Determine the BOD in the stream at a point 36 km from the outfall. Assume first-order BOD removal kinetics in the stream and that other non-biological removal processes are virtually insignificant. BOD jug = BOD, ¢™ tA, Q Therefore BOD gin =BOD gage 2 -oo( $Y} _{ £) sane) BOD yp, #218.75-07°* el aca BODseim 36.273 ole (Spts) 1.25 points |Wa Define IWRM, ICM, CM, and CMS, highlighting the differences among these water quality ‘management principles. (8 pts) IWRM is simultaneously a philosophy. a process, and implementation strategy to achieve equitable access to and sustainable use of water resources by all stakeholders at the catchment, national, and international levels, while maintaining the characteristics and integrity of the water resources at the catchment scale within agreed limits. ICM in its widest sense, is simultaneously a philosophy. a process, and implementation strateg; to achieve a sustainable balance between _utilization_and_protection_of all_environmental resources in a catchment and to grow a sustainable society through stakeholder, community and government partnerships in the management process. CM, as foreseen by the National Water Policy, is simultaneously a philosophy. a process, and implementation strategy to achieve a sustainable balance benveen utilization and protection of resources in_a catchment. Catchment management recognizes the need for mutual dependence of water, land-use and aquatic ecology management and for consensual participation by relevant stakeholders, communities and organs of state. CMS, as foreseen by the National Water Policy, records water-focused vision for the catchment and a water focused mission for the Catchment Management, It relates how real or perceived or potential water related issues, and their associated land-use, social and aquatic ecology aspects, «will be addressed through agreed management strategies within a specified time period within that specified catchment Which of the environmental planning strategies (IEM, EMS, EIA, EIR) is most closely analogous to the IWRM. State why? (4pts) JEM as it is used as the basis for the formulation of !WRM. EMS takes on a global perspective. EMS is also correct as it is not easy to demarcate the difference between the operational principles of the IEM and the EMS. (EIA and EIR are the wrong answers). Describe the processes that could lead to the pollution of a stream receiving acid mine water from an opening of an abandoned coal mine. State clearly the conditions outside of the mine that aggravates the pollution problem. (8 pts) The coal exists within a matrix of rock and metal-sulphide compounds. Compounds such as pyrite (FeS-compounds) that dissolve into ferrous and sulphide ions in the water. Upon exposure to air in the presence of sulphur oxidising bacteria such as Theobacillus ferrooxidans, the sulphide is readily oxidised to sulphate which forms sulphuric acid, resulting in a drastic drop in the pH of solution water. The ferrous iron is also oxidised to ferric iron which forms a non-aesthetic red precipitate (ferric hydroxide) in the water. Following are the chemical reactions that result in the negative impacts: os, thao s Fes+ 00+ 3 H20 ~ Fe(OH) + H:80, Outline at least two strategies that may be used to treat acid mine drainage on a wider scale taking into consideration long-term sustainability and environmental friendliness, State the operational principle, and merits and demerits of the chosen system. (7pts)(i) Neutralising with lime. The sludge formed may be used for soil condi Jarge amounts of sulphate. The problem is that this process leaves a large volume of sludge that can not be further treated, (ii) Biological Treatment by Unit Processes involves application of sulphur reducing bioreactor systems that are used to reduce $042- to elemental sulphur which can be sold for industrial applications, An example is the BioSURE process that was developed by CSIR and Rhodes Universit © The advantage of the system is that it efficient and economically sustainable as encourages synergy between the mining industry and industries that require sulph a raw material ‘© The disadvantage is the system is an engineered (active) system that requires energy inputs and continuous O&M. ras (iii) Use of wetland systems. Wetland systems have been used have been used extensively for treating acid mine water drainage. Sulphate is reduced by natural processes in the root zone of the wetland flora, Metals (iron) are removed by plant uptake. «The advantage is that these are passive systems requiring minimum O&M. © The disadvantage is that most wetland systems are sensitive to high levels of toxicity. Due to the non-linear nature of the wetland system, itis difficult to predict performance by modelling and therefore are relatively difficult to design when compared to the Biological Treatment by Unit Processes. [25 points | TOTAL POINTS wnAPPENDIX I Statistics Equations Given DP aa xP + tx | yy? | Dw=Lb VEAYE tt, =¥) alsocomputedas xy = Dx - || Then the linear regression parameters can be computed as: | Slope: Say Caer) pel ==) re iy > xc | The y-intercept -b-® is a function of the x and y mean values. | | The regression coefficient 2 __fegression sum of sqaures r total sum of squares 2 Ds LyAPPENDIX 2 |Soup of Equations Hen at Laie yale“) Thomas Slope Method 24 afi) -f-H | [Thomas Slope Regression a=(L,ky'°