Introduction to

Environmental Engineering
 Environment?
• ‘Environment’ is derived from the French
word Environner,
• which means to encircle or surround.
• All the biological and non-biological
entities surrounding us are included in
environment.
 Environment?
As per Environment (Protection) Act,1986,
environment includes all the physical
and biological surroundings of an
organism along with their interactions.
Environment is thus defined as “the sum
total of water, air and land and the
inter-relationships that exist among them
and with the human beings, other living
organisms and materials
Concept of Environment: air, water, land, living organisms
and materials surrounding us and their interactions together
constitute environment
 What is Environmental Science?
• Science can be differentiated into the social sciences
and natural sciences.
• Natural sciences include
– core sciences chemistry, biology, and physics
– numerous applied sciences such as geology,
meteorology, forestry, and zoology
– environmental science is an integrative applied
science that draws upon nearly all of the
natural sciences to address environmental
quality and health issues
What is Environmental Engineering?

• Environmental engineering is the

application of science and engineering
principles
• to improve the natural environment (air,
water, and/or land resources),
• to provide healthy water, air, and land for
human habitation and for other organisms,
What is Environmental Engineering?

• Environmental engineering uses

environmental science principles, along
with engineering concepts and techniques,
to assess the impacts of social activities on
the environment, of the environment on
people, and to protect both human and
environmental health
• Environmental engineering requires a
sound foundation in the environmental
sciences
 What is Environmental Engineering?

• It also includes studies on the environmental

impact of proposed construction projects.
Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-
waste management studies to evaluate the significance of
such hazards, advise on treatment and containment, and
develop regulations to prevent mishaps. Environmental
engineers also design municipal water supply and
industrial wastewater treatment systems as well as address
local and worldwide environmental issues such as the
effects of acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion,
water pollution and air pollution from
industrial sources automobile exhausts and
What is Environmental Engineering?
• Surveying
• Construction Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Earthquake Engineering
• Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Quantity Surveying
• Fluid Mechanics
• Irrigation Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Town Planning
• Infrastructural Development
• Project Management
• Remote Sensing
Development of environmental engineering

Ever since people first recognized that their

health and well-being were related to the
quality of their environment, they have
applied thoughtful principles to attempt to
improve the quality of their environment.

The ancient Harappan civilization utilized

early sewers in some cities.
Development of environmental engineering

The Romans constructed aqueducts to

prevent drought and to create a clean,
healthful water supply for the metropolis of
Rome.

The field emerged as a separate

environmental discipline during the middle
third of the 20th century in response to
widespread public concern about water and
pollution and increasingly extensive
Development of environmental engineering

• However, its roots extend back to early

efforts in public health engineering.Modern
environmental engineering began in
London in the mid-19th century when
Joseph Bazalgette designed the first major
sewerage system that reduced the incidence
of waterborne diseases such as cholera.
Development of environmental engineering

• The introduction of drinking water

treatment and sewage treatment in
industrialized countries reduced waterborne
diseases from leading causes of death to
rarities.
 Environmental Engineering!

• It involves
• waste water management
• air pollution control,
• Recycling & waste disposal,
• Radiation protection,
• Industrial hygiene,
• environmental sustainability,
• and public health issues & knowledge of
environmental engineering law.
Environmental Engineering
 The Interdisciplinary Nature of
Environmental Science and Engineering

At many universities, Environmental

Engineering programs follow either the
Department of Civil Engineering or The
Department of Chemical Engineering at
.Engineering faculties
 The Interdisciplinary Nature of
Environmental Science and Engineering

• Environmental "civil" engineers focus on

hydrology, water resources management,
bioremediation, and water treatment plant
design.
Key Elements of Modern Environmental
Science and Engineering

Environmental "chemical" engineers, on the

other hand, focus on environmental
chemistry, advanced air and water
treatment technologies and separation
processes
Environmental Engineering: Sectors

• Water Supply : 
• Demographic surveys,
• study of socio-economic structure of
communities,
• establishment of design parameters,
• investigations and development of the
water supply sources,
• design of intake structures and treatment
works,
 Water Supply

• renovation/extension of existing water

supply systems,
• design of pumping stations,
• gravity and force mains,
• preparation of computer models and
analysis of distribution networks,
• design of ground and overhead service
reservoirs,
 Water Supply
• Procurement, Inspection, Installation and
Commissioning of water supply machinery,
• treatment plants and related electrical and
mechanical equipment for instrumentation,
• chlorination, chemical dosing, etc.,
• supervision of water supply systems.
Environmental Engineering: Sectors

• Sewerage : 
• Population forecast and socio-economic
surveys,
• study of climatic conditions and sewage
flows,
• infiltration rate,
• establishment of design criteria,
• planning and design of sewerage systems,
 Sewerage : 
• sewage transport mains,
• sewage pumping/disposal stations,
• domestic and industrial sewage treatment
facilities and outfall structures,
• re-use of treated effluent,
• cost recovery and benefit ratio,
• designs to renovate/rehabilitate existing
sewage collection and treatment facilities,
 Sewerage : 
• inspection and procurement and
supervision for installation and
commissioning of sewage treatment plants,,
pumping/disposal stations
• instrumentation and control equipment
• chlorination and odour control facilities,
• chemical analysis of sewage characteristics
i.e
 Sewerage : 
o suspended solids,
o Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
o Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
o Acidity/Alkalinity (pH),
o dissolved oxygen,
o greasy and oily matter,
o chlorine demand
o preparation of O&M manuals.
Environmental Engineering: Sectors

• Drainage :
• Analysis of rainfall data,
• establishment of runoff,
• field investigations,
• establishment of design parameters,
• planning and design of stormwater
collection and disposal systems,
Environmental Engineering: Sectors

• Solid Waste Management :

• Data collection,
• reconnaissance survey of existing situation,
• review of institutional set-up,
• refuse characterization,
• analysis of data and formulation of
proposals for collection,
• transfer and disposal of solid wastes,.
 Drainage :
• drainage pumping/lift stations, outfall
structures, disposal channels
• improvements in the existing drainage
systems,
 Solid Waste Management :
• design of sanitary landfills and compost
stations,
• preparation of technical specifications of
solid waste collection,
• transfer and disposal equipment
Environmental Engineering: Sectors

• Industrial Wastes : 
• Data collection,
• analysis,
• waste water sampling and analysis,
• establishment of design parameters,
• design of industrial waste collection and
disposal systems,
• planning and design of treatment process
and treatment works,
 Industrial Wastes : 
• services for procurement and inspection
and supervision of installation and
commissioning of industrial waste
treatment plants,
• chlorination, odour control and related
electrical and mechanical equipment.
 Plumbing : 
• Plumbing : 
• Design of cold and hot water supply,
• fire protection,
• sewerage, wastewater and stormwater
disposal systems for all types of public and
residential buildings, hospitals, sports
complexes, etc.
Environmental Engineering: Sectors

• Air Quality Management

• Engineers apply scientific and engineering
principles to the design of manufacturing
and combustion processes to reduce air
pollutant emissions to acceptable levels.
Environmental Engineering: Sectors

• preparation of detailed design, cost

estimates and tender documents, tender
evaluation and appraisal
Environmental Engineering: Sectors

• Other Applications
•Environmental policy and regulation
development
•Contaminated land management and site
remediation
•Environment, Health and Safety
•Noise pollution
•Risk assessment
 Water—A Precious Natural Resource

Although water is very abundant on this earth,

• yet it is very precious.
• Out of the total water reserves of the world,
about 97.4% is salty water (marine)
• Only 2.6% is fresh water. Even this small
fraction of fresh water is not available to us
as most of it is locked up
• in polar ice caps (1.98%) and
 Water—A Precious Natural Resource

• just 0.6% is readily available to us in the

form of groundwater and surface water.
• As per the United Nations estimates (2002),
at least 1.1 billion people do not even have
access to safe drinking water and 2.4 billion
do not have adequate sanitation facilities.
 Policies
• Professional behavior expected
– punctual
– respectful and non-distractive
– TURN CELL PHONES OFF IN CLASS!
• Academic dishonesty
– representing the work of others as
your own will result in a grade of 0.0
for the course. In most cases, formal
disciplinary action will also be
initiated