49127 Decentralised Environmental Systems

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10066 Bachelor of Engineering Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)) AND (48350 Environmental and Sanitation Engineering OR 48840 Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.

Recommended studies:

Students who have undertaken subjects such as Environmental Science, Water Studies, Environmental Chemistry, Water and Wastewater Treatment and Water Supply and Water Treatment may benefit from undertaking this subject.

Description

A growing and resource-intensive global population has placed significant stress on the quality of our water resources. It is essential to minimise water pollution problems to maintain, or improve, our quality of life. With respect to water quality, the development of decentralised water and wastewater treatment systems are becoming more commonplace in unsewered parts of Australia and other countries in the world. Decentralised systems have many advantages compared to centralised systems, for some circumstances.

This subject introduces students to the differences in using centralised and decentralised systems and discusses different types of decentralised systems available for water supply and wastewater management for single households or small complexes of units. The subject introduces students to the different technical aspects and allows them to develop skills in the design and principles of these systems. This subject also looks at the overall management of water, from water supply to wastewater generation, treatment, and re-use on-site. One aspect of the subject is to look at the different types of systems available in Australia and to understand the water and wastewater technologies that are applied. This subject also covers the current environmental legislation related to decentralised wastewater treatment and disposal.

Students who are interested in solving problems in a sustainable manner and who have interests related to town planners, local council officials, small scale system operators, surveyors and architects gain knowledge on decentralised systems.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1.	Analyse and evaluate problems particularly in decentralised water/waste management. (D.1)
2.	Synthesise problem-solving options in decentralised water and wastewater treatment systems. (C.1)
3.	Determine an appropriate solution specifically addressing the social context and/or sustainability principles. (B.1)
4.	Apply knowledge of various regulatory standards and link them to design, implementation and maintenance of decentralised systems. (C.1)
5.	Communicate professionally in both oral and written formats, both individually and in a team environment. (E.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:

1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
3.4. Professional use and management of information.

Teaching and learning strategies

In this subject student learning is coordinated and facilitated through pre-work and face-to-face sessions in three block sessions of one and a half day each. There will be preparatory reading material and web links posted online in Canvas. Students are encouraged to undertake research on different topics and bring this material to class to enable them to contribute to activities through collaborative learning.

Students are expected to read the indicated materials (notes and PowerPoint slides), research essential topics and watch associated videos before attending the class. The class time will be used for group learning that will include problem solving and discussion. Online (zoom) or on-campus consultation session will also be organised based on students’ requirements.

In this subject, there are numerous formative assessment activities (some do not contribute to overall assessment) from the beginning of the semester onward that are designed to encourage students to practice using their new knowledge/ skills. Students will receive feedback on their assessments within two weeks after submission. All relevant subject material including notes, reference material, design guides, tutorials, assessment tasks, etc. will be uploaded onto Canvas. Teaching materials have a practical focus that aim to be relevant to professional engineering practice.

Content (topics)

Introduction to on-site systems, their role in reducing environmental pollution at micro-levels.
Selection of on-site waste management systems based on wastewater characteristics, site conditions, landscape and economics.
On-site water treatment systems: types, design, operation and maintenance.
Water quality guidelines for on-site water treatment systems and public health concerns.
On-site wastewater treatment systems: types, design, operation and maintenance.
Effluent disposal by irrigation: principles, consideration of soil conditions, design and limitations.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research and Analytical Report about Point-of-Use/Point-of-Entry Systems

Intent:	To assess students' ability to understand and evaluate current point-of-use/ point-of-entry (POU/POE) protocols for decentralised water treatment systems.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	35%
Length:	Should not exceed 15 pages
Criteria:	Assessment criteria sheet will be incorporated in Assessment 1 and discussed in Block 1.

Assessment task 2: Technical Report on Design of Decentralised Water and Wastewater Systems

Intent:	To demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge related to designing decentralised water/wastewater treatment systems.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1, D.1 and E.1
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	35%
Length:	Should not exceed 15 pages
Criteria:	The assessment outline and criteria will be incorporated in Assessment 2 and discussed in Block 2.

Assessment task 3: Exercise Set on Decentralised Water and Wastewater Systems Practices

Intent:	To assess students' ability to understand and evaluate decentralised systems that are representative of current practices in Australia and overseas.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1, D.1 and E.1
Type:	Exercises
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	30%
Length:	Should not exceed 10 pages

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Required texts

Course notes will be provided on UTS Canvas.

Recommended texts

AS/NZS 1547:2000 (2000) On-site domestic wastewater management, Standards Australia, Sydney NSW
AS/NZS 1546.1:1998 (1998) On-site domestic wastewater treatment units Part 1: Septic tanks, Standards Australia, Sydney NSW
AS/NZS 1546.2:2001 (1998) On-site domestic wastewater treatment units Part 2: Waterless composting toilets, Standards Australia, Sydney NSW
AS/NZS 1546.3:2001 (2001) On-site domestic wastewater treatment units Part 3: Aerated wastewater treatment systems, Standards Australia, Sydney NSW

References

American Society of Agricultural Engineers (2001). On-site Wastewater Treatment X: Conference Proceedings, 11-14 March 2001, Sacramento, California, St. Joseph, Michigan, USA.
American Society of Agricultural Engineers (2004). On-site Wastewater Treatment X: Conference Proceedings, 21-24 March 2004, Sacramento, California, St. Joseph, Michigan, USA.
Anand, C. & Apul, D.S. (2011) Economic and environmental analysis of standard, high efficiency, rainwater flushed, and composting toilets, Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 92, no. 3, pp. 419-28.
Anand, C.K. & Apul, D.S. (2014) Composting toilets as a sustainable alternative to urban sanitation – A review, Waste Management, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 329-43.
Crites, R. & Tchobanoglous, G. (1998) Small and Decentralised Wastewater Management Systems, WEB McGraw-Hill Publications, NY., USA.
Davis, M.L., and Cornell, D.A. (1991) Introduction to Environmental Engineering, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, USA.
Department of Local Government (1998) Environment and Health Protection Standards: On-site Sewage Management of Single Households. Department of Local Government, Bankstown.
Franceys, R., Pickford, J. & Reed, R. (1992) A guide to the development of on-site sanitation, World Health Organisation, Geneva.
Kawamura, S. (1987) Integrated design of water treatment facilities. John Wiley and Sons. NY., USA.
Helmreich, B. & Horn, H. (2009), Opportunities in rainwater harvesting, Desalination, vol. 248, no. 1–3, pp. 118-24.
Laugesen, C.H. (2010) Sustainable wastewater management in developing countries: new paradigms and case studies from the field. Reston, Va.: American Society of Civil Engineers.
Mobbs, M. (1998) Sustainable house: Living for our future, Marrickville, NSW, Choice Books
NSW EPA (1998) On-site sewage management for single households. NSW Local Government Association
Scott, E. (2002) Dry sanitation solutions, Journal of Rural and Remote Environmental Health, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 23-5.
Tchobanoglous, G (1991) Wastewater Engineering: Treatment, Disposal and Reuse, McGraw-Hill Publications, NY., USA
USEPA (1987) Point-of-use/entry treatment of drinking water, USEPA and American Water Works Association, Noyes Data Corporation, Park Ridge, NJ, USA
Van der Ryn, S (1978) The Toilet Papers, Capra Press, California, USA
WEF & ASCE (1991) Design of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volume 2, Water Environment Federation and American Society of Chemical Engineers, USA