Potable Water Treatment Study Group

We'll be working through Open University's course "Potable Water Treatment" together. This unit will guide us through the continuous cycling of water between land, open water surfaces and the sea before moving on to an overview of the water treatment and supply process. Remember, there is no teacher for this course. We are responsible for our own learning and will work through challenges and questions on the forum together.

• WEEK 1 The hydrological cycle
  • 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.2 Evaporation
  • 1.3 Transpiration
  • 1.4 Condensation
  • 1.5 Air circulation
  • 1.6 Precipitation
  • 1.7 Infiltration
  • 1.8 Surface run-off
  • 1.9 Percolation
  • 1.10 Aquifers
  • 1.11 Storage
  • 1.12 Summary

• WEEK 2 The natural aquatic environment

  Suggested Activity: Define and describe natural water bodies or watersheds in your area. What is it's ecological status? Is it protected, polluted, both? Do some digging into your water supply's history and share with the other participants. If you live in a dry area - how far away does your water come from? Are there politics involved?

  • 2.1 Water, the medium of life
  • 2.2 Dissolved oxygen
  • 2.3 Physical characteristics of natural waters
  • 2.4 Chemical characteristics of natural waters
  • 2.5 Biological characteristics of natural waters
  • 2.6 Tidal rivers and estuaries
  • 2.7 Summary

• WEEK 3 Water treatment

  Suggested Activity: The process described in this weeks readings are traditional approaches to treatment and not plausible everywhere on Earth. Do some research into other forms of treatment, some are rugged and even questionalbe, while others are surprising and ecologically elegant. Share links to your findings with the groups on the forum.

  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Preliminary treatment
  • 3.3 Coagulation and flocculation
  • 3.4 Sedimentation
  • 3.5 Flotation
  • 3.6 Filtration
  • 3.7 Disinfection
  • 3.8 Additional treatment
  • 3.9 Membrane filtration
  • 3.10 Fluoridation
  • 3.11 Plumbo-solvency
  • 3.12 Sludge treatment and disposal
  • 3.13 Groundwater treatment
  • 3.14 Desalination
  • 3.15 Summary

• WEEK 4 Water supply

  Suggested Activity: In the forums, discuss current and future threats to global distribution systems in the context of looming water shortages. Provide links to reports, articles and innovations that provide solutions to such threats.

  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Service reservoirs
  • 4.3 Distribution systems
  • 4.4 Summary