Annexure – I

Report on Various units of water Treatment and its Management

1.0 Aims/Benefits of the Micro-project

Micro-projects focused on various units of water treatment and management offer several
aims and benefits, both for the local community and broader environmental sustainability
efforts. Here are some key aims and benefits:

1. Improved Water Quality: Micro-projects can target specific units of water

treatment, such as filtration systems or chemical treatment processes, to improve
the quality of water available for consumption and other uses. This directly benefits
the health and well-being of the community by reducing the risk of waterborne
diseases.

2. Access to Clean Water: By implementing effective management strategies, micro-

projects can increase access to clean water for communities that may otherwise
struggle with water scarcity or contamination issues. This is particularly important in
regions where clean water sources are limited or polluted.

3. Sustainable Resource Management: Micro-projects can promote sustainable water

management practices by implementing technologies and strategies that minimize
water wastage and optimize resource use. This includes techniques such as
rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and efficient irrigation methods.

4. Community Empowerment: Engaging local communities in micro-projects fosters a

sense of ownership and responsibility for water management. This empowerment
can lead to long-term sustainability as communities take proactive measures to
protect and conserve water resources.

5. Environmental Protection: Effective water treatment and management help

safeguard local ecosystems and natural habitats by reducing pollution and
minimizing the impact of human activities on water bodies. This contributes to
biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health.

6. Economic Benefits: Micro-projects can generate economic opportunities through

the development and maintenance of water treatment infrastructure, as well as the
promotion of water-efficient practices. Additionally, access to clean water can
enhance productivity in agriculture, industry, and other sectors, leading to economic
growth and poverty reduction.

7. Climate Resilience: Building resilient water management systems can help

communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as changing precipitation

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 patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events. This resilience is
crucial for ensuring water security in the face of environmental uncertainty.

8. Public Health Promotion: Clean water is essential for maintaining public health, and
micro-projects focused on water treatment and management play a vital role in
disease prevention and health promotion. By providing access to safe drinking water
and sanitation facilities, these projects contribute to reducing morbidity and
mortality rates associated with waterborne illnesses.

Overall, micro-projects on various units of water treatment and management offer a

multifaceted approach to addressing water-related challenges, promoting sustainable
development, and improving the quality of life for communities around the world.

2.0 Course outcome Addressed.

Course outcomes addressed by a micro-project on various units of water treatment and its
management can vary depending on the specific objectives and scope of the project, as well
as the learning goals of the course. However, here are some potential course outcomes that
could be addressed by such a project:

1. Understanding of Water Treatment Processes: Students will demonstrate

knowledge of various units involved in water treatment processes such as
coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, and advanced
treatment methods.
2. Application of Engineering Principles: Students will apply engineering principles to
design, analyze, and optimize water treatment systems, considering factors such as
flow rates, chemical dosages, residence times, and equipment selection.
3. Problem-Solving Skills: Students will develop problem-solving skills by identifying
challenges in water treatment processes, proposing solutions, and evaluating their
effectiveness through the implementation of various units and management
strategies.

Continuous Learning and Professional Development: Students will recognize the importance
of lifelong learning and professional development in the field of water treatment and
management, demonstrating curiosity, initiative, and a commitment to staying informed
about emerging technologies, research findings, and best practices.

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3.0 Proposed Methodology
Here's a proposed methodology for a micro-project on various units of water treatment and
its management:

1. Project Objective Definition:

a. Clearly define the objective of the micro-project. For instance, it could be to
study different units of water treatment, understand their functions, and
analyze management strategies for efficient water treatment processes.
2. Literature Review:
a. Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature on water treatment
units and management practices.
b. Identify key concepts, methodologies, and findings relevant to the project
objective.
c. Analyze case studies and research papers related to water treatment systems
and their management.
3. Selection of Water Treatment Units:
a. Identify various units involved in the water treatment process, such as
sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, etc.
b. Select a diverse range of units based on their importance, functionality, and
applicability to the project objectives.
4. Study of Each Unit:
a. Conduct in-depth research on each selected unit, understanding its purpose,
working principle, advantages, and limitations.
b. Collect data on the efficiency of each unit in water purification and treatment
processes.
c. Identify key parameters for evaluating the performance of each unit.
5. Analysis of Management Strategies:
a. Explore various management strategies for optimizing the operation of water
treatment units.
b. Consider factors such as resource allocation, energy efficiency, maintenance
schedules, and personnel training.
c. Evaluate the effectiveness of different management approaches in ensuring
the reliability and sustainability of water treatment processes.
6. Case Studies and Field Visits:
a. Conduct field visits to water treatment plants or facilities to observe the
practical implementation of different units and management practices.
b. Gather real-world data and insights through interviews with plant operators
and managers.
c. Document case studies highlighting successful management strategies and
challenges faced in water treatment operations.
7. Data Analysis:

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 a. Analyze the collected data to assess the performance of various water
treatment units and management practices.
b. Use statistical methods to compare efficiency metrics, identify trends, and
draw conclusions.
c. Interpret findings in relation to the project objectives and research questions.
8. Recommendations and Conclusion:
a. Based on the analysis, provide recommendations for improving the efficiency
and effectiveness of water treatment processes.
b. Summarize key findings and conclusions drawn from the study.
c. Discuss the implications of the research and potential areas for future
investigation.
9. Report Writing and Presentation:
a. Prepare a comprehensive report documenting the methodology, findings,
analysis, and recommendations of the micro-project.
b. Create visual aids such as charts, graphs, and diagrams to enhance
understanding.
c. Present the findings to relevant stakeholders, such as academic peers,
industry professionals, or policymakers.

By following this methodology, you can systematically investigate various units of water
treatment and their management, contributing valuable insights to the field of water
resource management and sustainability.

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4.0 Action Plan

Sr. Name of responsible team

Detail of activity Plan start date Plan finish date
No members

Collect information on the

1
internet

2 Create a micro project format

Input micro project information

3
in ms word

Create ms word file and show

4
file to guide

After confirmation print the

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project report

5.0 Resources used

Sr. no. Name of resource material Specifications Quantity

1 Textbook EST - 22447 1

2 Internet Wikipedia

3 PC windows 11 1

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 Annexure-II

Report on Various units of water Treatment and its Management

1.0 Brief Description:-

1. Introduction to Water Treatment:
a. This section provides an overview of why water treatment is essential for
public health and environmental sustainability. It highlights the sources of
water contamination, the risks associated with untreated water, and the
objectives of water treatment processes.
2. Physical Treatment Units:
a. Physical treatment processes involve the removal of large particles,
sediments, and other impurities through physical means. This includes:
i. Screening: Removing large debris and objects from water through
screens or meshes.
ii. Sedimentation: Allowing particles to settle at the bottom of a tank
due to gravity, facilitating their removal.
3. Chemical Treatment Units:
a. Chemical treatment methods involve the addition of specific chemicals to
water to facilitate the removal of contaminants. This includes:
i. Coagulation: Adding chemicals that cause particles to clump together
(coagulate) for easier removal.
ii. Flocculation: Agitating water to encourage the formation of larger
particles (floc) from coagulated particles.
iii. Disinfection: Killing or inactivating microorganisms through the
addition of disinfectants like chlorine, ozone, or UV light.
4. Biological Treatment Units:
a. Biological treatment processes utilize microorganisms to degrade organic
matter and pollutants in water. This includes:
i. Activated Sludge: Aeration of water to promote the growth of aerobic
bacteria that consume organic matter.
ii. Biofiltration: Passing water through biological filters containing
microorganisms that metabolize contaminants.
iii. Constructed Wetlands: Using natural wetland ecosystems or
engineered systems to purify water through biological and physical
processes.

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 5. Advanced Treatment Technologies:
a. Advanced treatment technologies are capable of removing contaminants at a
molecular level. This includes:
i. Reverse Osmosis: Forcing water through a semipermeable membrane
to remove dissolved ions, molecules, and particles.
ii. UV Disinfection: Exposing water to ultraviolet light to destroy the DNA
of microorganisms, rendering them inactive.
iii. Membrane Filtration: Using membranes with fine pores to physically
block contaminants from passing through.
6. Management of Treatment Processes:
a. This topic covers the operational and managerial aspects of water treatment
facilities, including:
i. Monitoring Water Quality: Regular testing and analysis of water
samples to ensure compliance with safety standards.
ii. Optimizing Treatment Processes: Adjusting operational parameters to
maximize efficiency and minimize resource consumption.
iii. Maintenance of Equipment: Regular inspection, cleaning, and repair
of treatment plant infrastructure to ensure reliable operation.
iv. Compliance with Regulatory Standards: Adhering to local, national,
and international regulations governing water quality and treatment
practices.

Overall, the micro-project aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of various

units of water treatment and their management, with a focus on promoting sustainability,
efficiency, and accessibility of clean water resources.

Water treatment is the process of removing all those substances, whether biological,
chemical, or physical, that are potentially harmful to the water supply for human and
domestic use. This treatment helps to produce water that is safe, palatable, clear, colorless,
and odorless. Water also needs to be non-corrosive, meaning it will not cause damage to
pipework.

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 Figure 1: Stages in Water Treatment Plant

There are seven major steps involved in the large-scale water treatment for urban municipal
water supply. Each of the steps are described in the article below,

1. Screening
To protect the main units of a treatment plant and aid in their efficient operation, it is
necessary to use screens to remove any large floating and suspended solids present in the
inflow. These materials include leaves, twigs, paper, rags, and other debris that could
obstruct flow through the plant or damage equipment.

There are coarse and fine screens.

1. Coarse screens are made of corrosion-resistant steel bars spaced 5–15 cm apart,
which are used to exclude coarse materials (such as logs and fish) from entering the
treatment plant. The screens are positioned at an angle of 60º to facilitate removing
the collected material by mechanical raking.

2. Fine screens, which come after the coarse screens, keep out material that can block
pipework at the plant. They consist of steel bars that are spaced 5–20 mm apart. A
variation of the fine screen is the micro strainer, consisting of a rotating drum of
stainless steel mesh with a very small mesh size (ranging from 15 µm to 64 µm, i.e.,
15–64 millionths of a meter). Suspended matter as small as algae and plankton

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(microscopic organisms that float with the current in water) can be trapped. The
trapped solids are dislodged from the fabric by high-pressure water jets using clean
water and carried away for disposal.

Figure 2: Coarse Screen

Figure 3: Fine Screen

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2. Aeration
After screening, the water is aerated (supplied with air) by passing it over a series of steps
to take in oxygen from the air. This process helps in expelling soluble gases such as carbon
dioxide and hydrogen sulfide (both of which are acidic, so this process makes the water less
corrosive) and expels any gaseous organic compounds an undesirable taste to the water.
Aeration also removes iron or manganese by oxidation of these substances to their insoluble
form. Iron and manganese can cause peculiar tastes and can stain clothing. Once in their
insoluble forms, these substances can be removed by filtration.

In certain instances, excess algae in the raw water can result in algal growth blocking the
sand filter further down the treatment process. In such situations, chlorination is used in
place of, or in addition to, aeration to kill the algae, termed pre-chlorination. This process of
water treatment comes before the main stages in the treatment of the water. The pre-
chlorination also oxidizes taste- and odor-causing compounds.

3. Coagulation and Flocculation

After aeration, coagulation occurs to remove the fine particles (less than 1 µm in size)
suspended in the water. In this process, a chemical called a coagulant (with a positive
electrical charge) is added to the water, which neutralizes the fine particles' negative
electrical charge. The coagulant's addition takes place in a rapid mix tank where a high-
speed impeller rapidly disperses the coagulant.

Since their charges are now neutralized, the fine particles come together, forming soft, fluffy
particles called 'flocs.' Two coagulants commonly used in the treatment of water are
aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride.

Figure 4: Coagulation–Flocculation Process

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 The next step is flocculation. Here the water is gently stirred by paddles in a flocculation
basin, and the flocs come into contact with each other to form larger flocs.

The flocculation basin often has a number of compartments with decreasing mixing speeds
as the water advances through the basin. This compartmentalized chamber allows
increasingly large flocs to form without being broken apart by the mixing blades.

4. Sedimentation
Once large flocs are formed, they need to be settled out, and this takes place in a process
called sedimentation (when the particles fall to the floor of a settling tank). The water (after
coagulation and flocculation) is kept in the tank for several hours for sedimentation to take
place. The material accumulated at the bottom of the tank is called sludge; this is removed
for disposal.

Figure 5: Sedimentation Tank

5. Filtration
Filtration is the process where solids are separated from a liquid. In water treatment, the
solids that are not separated in the sedimentation tank are removed by passing the water
through sand and gravel beds. With a flow rate of 4–8 cubic meters per square meter of
filter surface per hour, rapid gravity filters are often used.

When the filters are full of trapped solids, they are back-washed. In this process, clean
water and air are pumped back up the filter to dislodge the trapped impurities, and the
water carrying the dirt (referred to as backwash) is pumped into the sewerage system if
there is one. Alternatively, it may be discharged back into the source river after a settlement
stage in a sedimentation tank to remove solids

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 Figure 6: Rapid Gravity Sand Filter.

6. Chlorination
After sedimentation, the water is disinfected to eliminate any remaining pathogenic
microorganisms. The most commonly used disinfectant (the chemical used for disinfection)
is chlorine, a liquid (such as sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl), or a gas. It is relatively cheap and
simple to use. When chlorine is added to water, it reacts with any pollutants present,
including microorganisms, over a given period of time, referred to as the contact time. The
amount of chlorine left after this is called residual chlorine. This stays in the water through
the distribution system, protecting it from any micro-organisms that might enter it until the
water reaches the consumers.

World Health Organization Guidelines (WHO, 2003) suggest a maximum residual chlorine
of 5 mg l–1 of water. The minimum residual chlorine level should be 0.5 mg l–1 of water
after 30 minutes of contact time (WHO, n.d.). There are other ways of disinfecting water
(e.g., using the gas ozone or ultraviolet radiation). Still, these do not protect it from
microbial contamination after it has left the water treatment plant. Following disinfection,
the treated water is pumped into the distribution system.

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7. Supplementary Treatment
Supplementary treatment may be needed for the benefit of the population. One such
instance is the fluoridation of water, where fluoride is added to water. It has been stated by
the World Health Organization that ‘fluoridation of water supplies, where possible, is the
most effective public health measure for the prevention of dental decay. The optimal
fluoride level is around 1 mg per liter of water (1 mg l–1).

2.0 Actual Resources Used

Sr. no. Name of resource material Specifications Quantity

1 Textbook EST - 22447 1

2 Internet Wikipedia

3 PC windows 11 1

3.0 Outputs of the Micro-Project

The micro-project on water treatment and management would yield a comprehensive
research report detailing the current state of water treatment practices, encompassing
technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, and existing challenges. This report
would be supplemented by case studies showcasing successful projects across different
contexts, providing practical insights into effective strategies.

Additionally, data analysis would be conducted to identify trends and areas for
improvement in water quality management. Proposed technical solutions would offer
innovative approaches to tackle specific challenges, while policy recommendations would
advocate for regulatory interventions and public awareness campaigns. Community
engagement initiatives would aim to foster participation in water conservation efforts,
complemented by cost-benefit analyses to inform resource allocation.

Finally, a monitoring and evaluation framework would be established to track progress

and measure the effectiveness of implemented interventions over time. These outputs,
presented through various mediums, would collectively contribute to advancing knowledge
and fostering sustainable practices in water treatment and management.

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4.0 Skill Developed / Learning outcomes of this Micro-Project
a) Computer skills increase.

b) Communication skills improved.

5.0 Applications of this Micro-Project

To discuss the applications of a micro-project in water treatment and management across
various units, let's outline a hypothetical micro-project focused on a specific aspect of water
treatment. For example, let's consider a micro-project aimed at optimizing the filtration
process in a water treatment plant. Here's how such a project could be applied across
different units of water treatment and management:

1. Filtration Unit:

a. Implementing new filtration media or technologies to improve the efficiency

of particulate removal.

b. Studying the impact of different filter bed depths or configurations on

filtration performance.

c. Automating the filtration process using sensors and control systems to

optimize backwashing schedules.

2. Chemical Treatment Unit:

a. Investigating the synergistic effects of chemical additives with filtration

processes to enhance water quality.

b. Assessing the efficacy of various coagulants and flocculants in improving

sedimentation and filtration efficiency.

c. Developing dosing algorithms based on real-time water quality data to

optimize chemical usage.

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3. Disinfection Unit:

a. Integrating advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) with filtration for enhanced

pathogen removal.

b. Evaluating the effectiveness of alternative disinfection methods like UV

irradiation or ozone treatment in combination with filtration.

c. Developing control strategies to ensure consistent disinfection while

minimizing disinfection by-products.

4. Distribution System:

a. Investigating the impact of filtration optimization on reducing particulate

buildup in distribution pipes.

b. Studying the effect of improved water quality on corrosion control and

infrastructure lifespan.

c. Implementing real-time monitoring systems to detect and address water

quality issues in the distribution network.

5. Wastewater Treatment:

a. Applying filtration optimization techniques to tertiary treatment processes

for wastewater reuse applications.

b. Investigating the feasibility of incorporating membrane filtration technologies

in wastewater treatment for improved effluent quality.

c. Studying the potential for decentralized filtration systems to enhance

treatment efficiency and reduce infrastructure costs.

6. Water Resource Management:

a. Assessing the environmental impact of optimized filtration processes on

aquatic ecosystems.

b. Integrating filtration optimization with water reuse strategies to mitigate

freshwater scarcity.

c. Developing decision support systems for policymakers based on the

economic and environmental benefits of improved water treatment.

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 7. Research and Development:

a. Collaborating with academic institutions and industry partners to explore

cutting-edge filtration technologies.

b. Conducting pilot-scale studies to validate the scalability and effectiveness of

new filtration methods.

c. Contributing to the advancement of knowledge in water treatment through

publications and dissemination of findings.

By applying the principles and findings of the micro-project across these different units of
water treatment and management, it's possible to achieve comprehensive improvements in
water quality, efficiency, and sustainability throughout the entire water supply and
treatment process.

Conclusion
In conclusion, this micro-project has shed light on the critical aspects of water treatment
and its management. Through an examination of various units such as filtration,
disinfection, sedimentation, and others, we have uncovered the intricate processes involved
in ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water. It is evident that effective water
treatment is indispensable for safeguarding public health, promoting environmental
sustainability, and fostering economic development. However, challenges such as
technological limitations and operational constraints persist, necessitating the exploration
of innovative solutions.

Emerging trends in water treatment, including advancements in technology and shifts

in regulatory frameworks, offer promising opportunities for enhancing water treatment
practices. Moving forward, it is imperative to prioritize continued research and investment
in improving water treatment processes to address existing challenges and adapt to evolving
needs. By implementing recommendations for optimizing water treatment efficiency and
integrating innovative approaches, we can pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable
water future.

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