ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ENGINEERING AND HYGIENE

Module INGEGNERIA SANITARIA

Knowledge and Understanding

Students will acquire knowledge of engineering aspects related to the protection of ecosystem balances and the prevention of chemical, physical, and biological pollution. They will learn the methodology for assessing environmental impacts and risks, with particular reference to drinking water and wastewater treatment plants and waste management.

In particular, the following SDGs of the 2030 Agenda will be addressed:

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all (6.1); achieve adequate and equitable access to sanitation and hygiene for all (6.2); improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating uncontrolled dumping practices, minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally (6.3); protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes (6.6); substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable water supplies and provision of safe drinking water to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from its effects (6.4); support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management (6.b).

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: reduce the environmental impact of cities, with particular regard to air quality and waste management (11.6).

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: reduce global per capita food waste (12.3); achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle in order to minimize their adverse effects on human health and the environment (12.4); substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse (12.5).

Goal 14: Life Below Water: prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution (14.1).

Applying Knowledge and Understanding

Through theoretical lectures, practical exercises, and case study analysis, students will acquire the ability to apply theoretical and practical knowledge concerning environmental and health protection, and to carry out environmental and public health monitoring in facilities and workplaces where drinking water, wastewater, and waste are managed.

Making Judgements

Students will be able to identify and critically assess environmental pollution phenomena.

Communication Skills

At the end of the course, students will be able to use technical terminology correctly and to describe clearly and effectively the issues related to pollution phenomena and the corresponding environmental and public health monitoring activities.

Learning Skills

Students will develop the ability to independently update their knowledge by consulting scientific literature, regulatory sources, and national and international guidelines.

Global Risks and the Agenda2030. Drinking water quality parameters. Quality standards and regulations. Drinking water treatment plants. Characteristics of wastewater. Standard limits and controls. Anthropogenic pressure on water bodies.. Protection of waters at the basin scale. Wastewater treatment plants. Centralized and decentralized systems. Reuse of water. Integrated management of municipal solid waste. Current legislation. Waste classification. Liquid waste. Medical waste. Plants for solid waste treatment/valorization/disposal.

Oral exam. 

Ongoing assessment.

• Qualitative characteristics of water.
• Legal discharge limits.
• Self-purification of rivers and the oxygen sag curve.
• Chemical and physical processes for water treatment.
• Wastewater treatment and reuse.
• Waste management.
• Municipal solid waste (MSW) recovery and valorization facilities.