NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

SUBJECT: WATER ENGINEERING

CODE 578/09/S07

AIM OF THE SUBJECT

To equip the student with knowledge to design, run and maintain water supply schemes for Rural
Service Centres, Growth Points and Resettlement Villages or similar.

TOPICS

A. Hydrology

B. Water and Waste Water Quality

C. Water Treatment

D. Waste Water Treatment and Pollution Control

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A. HYDROLOGY

1. To enable the student to appreciate the basic principles and elements of hydrology
and its relevance to water supply.

1.1 Illustrate and explain the hydrological cycle.

1.2 List and explain the factors that influence the hydrology of an area.

(i) Climatic Factors

a) Temperature
b) Humidity
c) Precipitation
d) Wind
e) Vegetation

(ii) Topography
(iii) Geology.

1.3 Describe the following terms as used in precipitation recording:

(i) rainfall duration

(ii) intensity
(iii) frequency.

1.4 Describe the methods used to determine the average rainfall of an area:

(i) Thiessan polygon

(ii) use of isolytes.

1.5 Define run-off.

(i) List and explain the factors that influence run-off from a given
catchment area.

(ii) Explain the rainfall-run-off co-relation

(iii) State and explain the rational formula.

1.6 Explain the use of:

(i) flow rating curves

(ii) mass curves.
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1.7 Discuss the methods used for river discharge measurements:

(i) dilution method

(ii) weirs and flumes
(iii) current meter.

1.8 Analyse hydrographs for constant base times:

(i) frequency analysis

(ii) unit hydrograph
(iii) determine design flood.

1.9 Outline the basic concept of flood routing.

1.10 Investigate and analyse ground water sources

(i) occurrence and factors of influence

(ii) ground water flow
(iii) types of walls
(iv) test pumping analysis
(v) yield.

B. WATER AND WASTE WATER QUALITY

2. To enable the student to understand and carry out qualitative and quantitative
analysis of water and wastewater.

2.1 Describe and demonstrate chemical characteristics of water.

(i) Chemical reactions and kinetics

(ii) Acidity and alkalinity
(iii) Chlorine and other chemical compound
(iv) Hardness, turbidity, taste and odour
(v) Heavy metals and organic compounds.

2.2 Describe and demonstrate the bacteriology of water

(i) Bacteria, fungi, algae and viruses

(ii) Biochemical cycles
(iii) Nitrification and entrophication
(iv) Aquatic food chains
(v) Water-borne diseases
(vi) Tests for pathogenic organisms (indicator organisms-E-Coli,
membrane filtration, multiple tube technique).
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C. WATER TREATMENT

3. To give the student an overview of the water treatment process.

3.1 Outline and sketch the water treatment process

(i) Abstraction
(ii) Preliminary and primary treatment
(iii) Secondary treatment
(iv) Tertiary treatment.

D. WASTE WATER TREATMENT AND POLLUTION CONTROL

4. To enable the student to understand sanitation and pollution problems, and

possible solutions.

4.1 Identify sources of pollution.

4.2 List and explain types of pollutants:

(i) Conservative pollutants

(ii) Non-conservative pollutants.

4.3 Explain reaeration and oxygen balance in water bodies.

4.4 Define sanitation.

4.4.1 Explain the following sanitation techniques:

(i) On-Site Technique

- Pit latrines
- VIP
- Separate tanks

(ii) Off-site techniques.

4.5 a) Explain the following stages in waste water treatment:

(i) Preliminary treatment

(ii) Primary treatment
(iii) Secondary and tertiary treatment
(iv) Sludge treatment and disposal.

b) Describe the types of treatment plant used in Zimbabwe (MAS,

trickling filters, ponds).
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4.7 Explain the following terms as used in sewage reticulation:

(i) separate system

(ii) combined system.

4.8 List and explain the parameters used in the design of a sewage system:

(i) Design flows

(ii) Limiting gradient and velocity
(iii) Manholes and spacing.

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