Group-1-Intro-to-Envi-Manuscript-Edited-Version.pdf

A BSCE-II MANUSCRIPT: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING In Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements in Environmental Science and Engineering (ENS 233) Negros Oriental State University - College of Engineering and Architecture Bachelor...

A BSCE-II MANUSCRIPT: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING In Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements in Environmental Science and Engineering (ENS 233) Negros Oriental State University - College of Engineering and Architecture Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Reporters: Abrigana, John Minard Dela Pena, Maurice Gonzaga, Keren Happuch Reyes, Febby Ma. Antonia Suarez, Cris Jerod Instructor: Engr. Fritze Ann T. Nuique September 18, 2024 I. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING (DEFINITION)  Environmental Engineering is a field of broad scope that draws to protect human health and the natural environment by innovating and developing sustainable solutions pertaining to the most crucial problems like pollution, waste, and resource depletion. It was traditionally a specialized field of Civil Engineering and was called "Sanitary Engineering", not until the mid-1960's when it was changed to Environmental Engineering.  Sanitary engineering evolved into environmental engineering as the field expanded from focusing on public health and sanitation to addressing broader issues like pollution, resource management, and sustainability. Growing environmental awareness and legislation in the 20th century required engineers to tackle global challenges like climate change and ecosystem protection. Environmental engineering now integrates multidisciplinary solutions to ensure both human health and environmental sustainability. 4 Important Projects of Environmental Engineers: Water Treatment Systems  Designing systems to treat drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater to prevent contamination and ensure water quality. Air Pollution Control:  Developing technologies to reduce emissions from factories, vehicles, and other sources of air pollutants. Solid Waste Management Edited by: Febby Reyes   Designing efficient systems for the collection, treatment, recycling, and disposal of municipal and industrial waste. Climate Change Mitigation  Implementing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. I. PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETHICS  The Code of Ethics for Engineers outlines rules or guidelines to make sure that engineering decisions benefit society and reduce damage to the environment. Environmental engineers have a special responsibility because their work can directly impact public health, ecosystems, and natural resources.  Environmental engineering’ professional code of ethics is mostly based from those of Civil engineering professional code of ethics. Some essential ethical principles include: Public Safety Sustainability and Stewardship Professional Competence and Integrity II. ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS  Environmental ethics transcends the confines of professional codes, urging engineers to consider a broader spectrum of moral obligations towards the environment. It provides a framework for responsible decision-making, grounded in core principles: Edited by: Febby Reyes  Intrinsic Value of Nature Precautionary Principle Intergenerational Equity III. ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS OVERVIEW Systems Approach  examines how all interrelated parts of a system interact and simplifies complex systems into manageable models to understand their behavior. Three Environmental Systems Water Resource Management System:  Manages the sustainable use, treatment, and distribution of water for drinking, agriculture, and industry, ensuring environmental and human needs are balanced. Air Resource Management System:  Regulates air quality by controlling emissions from industries and vehicles, aiming to reduce pollution and protect public health. Solid Waste Management System:  Handles the collection, disposal, and recycling of waste, focusing on reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability. Edited by: Febby Reyes i. Water Resource Management System Fig. 1 Water Supply Resource System Watershed  A drainage bowl is an area of land where all flowing surface water converges to a single point, such as a river mouth, or flows into another body of water, such as a lake or ocean. Edited by: Febby Reyes 2 Major Sources of Water Surface Water  from streams, lakes, and rivers Groundwater  supplied by wells Why is it important to estimate average daily water consumption? To assess the water source's ability to meet demands during surface low flows or minimum groundwater periods. To estimate the amount of stored water needed for these critical periods. ○ Peak demand rates must be estimated to determine plumbing, pipe sizing, pressure losses, and storage needs during periods of peak water demand. Factors Influencing Per Capita Water Consumption: (Per Capita means “per person.”) Industry Water Pricing System Management  Water Metering ▪ Meters encourage responsible water use and leak repairs, reducing consumption. Edited by: Febby Reyes  ○ E.g., timely leak repairs, lowers per capita consumption. Climate and Development ii. Wastewater Disposal Subsystem Wastewater Treatment Plan  a facility designed to remove contaminants from sewage or industrial wastewater, making it safe for discharge into the environment or for reuse. Fig. 2 Parts of Wastewater Disposal Subsystem Edited by: Febby Reyes  Human waste must be disposed of to avoid contaminating drinking water, posing health risks, attracting vectors, violating laws, polluting water sources, or causing odor and visual nuisances. iii. Air Resource Management System Air Resource Management  the balance of cost and benefit to obtain a desired quality of air. Fig. 3 Air Resource Management System Edited by: Febby Reyes The illustration above depicts a cycle where all aspects are interconnected. Let’s break it down step by step: 1. The Source of Waste  The cycle begins with the source, which refers to where waste originates. We, as humans, are considered the primary source because we generate and create waste. 2. Types of Waste  The next stage involves both liquid and solid waste. These types of waste significantly affect air quality due to the harmful gases they emit. 3. Impact on Air Quality  Once these gases mix with the air, they contaminate it, leading to poor air quality that can be detrimental to health and the environment. 4. Consequences for the Environment and Humans  Poor air quality has severe repercussions for both the environment and human health. When we experience the negative effects of contaminated air, it prompts us to take action. 5. Establishing Air Quality Goals  In response to these challenges, we begin to think about air quality goals. After all, no one wants to breathe in toxic air. Edited by: Febby Reyes 6. Laws and Regulations  Once we have identified our air quality goals, the next step is to create comprehensive laws and regulations aimed at achieving these objectives. 7. Enforcement  To realize our goals, it is essential to implement these laws and regulations effectively. This involves putting plans into action. 8. Returning to the Source  Finally, we return to the source—our communities. The laws and regulations we establish must be communicated clearly to the public. When people are informed about proper waste disposal methods and learn how to recycle and reuse materials, they will be more likely to adopt sustainable practices. Source to Product As we create products from waste through recycling and reusing, we not only reduce pollution but also yield economic benefits. A healthier economy can lead to a healthier environment, illustrating the interconnectedness of these elements within the cycle.This structured approach highlights how each component is linked and emphasizes the importance of addressing waste management holistically in order to achieve a good quality air. Edited by: Febby Reyes  Why are air resource management programs instituted? Air quality has deteriorated and there is a need for correction. The potential for a future problem is strong. iv. Solid Waste Management System Fig. 4 Solid Waste Management System Edited by: Febby Reyes Understanding the Solid Waste Management Process This illustration outlines the waste management process, which begins with waste generation and follows through to disposal. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown: 1. Waste Generation  The cycle starts with waste generation, where we humans are recognized as the fastest waste generators. Our consumption habits contribute significantly to the amount of waste produced. 2. Storage  Once waste is generated, it must be stored properly in designated containers, such as garbage bins. Proper storage is crucial to prevent contamination and manage waste effectively. 3. Collection  After the waste is stored and segregated, it is collected. This step is essential to avoid the further spread of bacteria and maintain public health. 4. Separation Process  Once collected, the waste undergoes a separation process: Recycling and Reuse: On the right side of the process, non-biodegradable waste is sorted for recycling and reuse. This step is vital for reducing landfill contributions and conserving resources. Edited by: Febby Reyes  Non-Recyclable Waste: On the left side, we have waste that cannot be recycled, primarily consisting of hazardous materials. This type of waste requires special handling due to its potential dangers. 5. Disposal  Finally, we reach the disposal stage. Disposal does not simply mean throwing waste away; it also involves distributing materials that have been transformed into useful products back into the community. This approach emphasizes sustainability by ensuring that valuable resources are reused rather than discarded. Solid Waste  materials once seen as resources, now treated as an economic problem. Curbside Recycling  established in over half of the U.S. by 1999, with the Philippines' Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) supporting similar initiatives. IV. ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATIONS AND REGULATIONS  General environmental legislation and regulations are legislative frameworks that aim to protect the environment and promote sustainable development on a local, national, and Edited by: Febby Reyes  worldwide scale. These laws address a variety of environmental concerns, including air and water pollution, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. Here is a summary of the essential features of general environmental legislation and regulations: Environmental Protection Laws  Environmental protection laws are regulations designed to safeguard the environment and public health. They can vary significantly by country, but generally cover areas like air and water quality, and soil protection.  Air Quality Standards: Regulate pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter to improve air quality.  Water Quality Standards: Set limits on pollutants in rivers, lakes, and oceans to protect aquatic life and human health.  Soil Protection: Prevent soil degradation, contamination, and erosion, often linked to agricultural and industrial activities. Pollution Control Regulations  These regulations aim to control the release of harmful substances into the environment from various sources.  Pollution prevention is reducing or eliminating waste at the source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of nontoxic or less toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques, and reusing materials rather than putting them into the waste stream. Edited by: Febby Reyes Chemical and Toxic Substance Control  Chemical and toxic substance control is critical for several reasons, including public health, environmental protection, and overall safety.  Controlling toxic substances minimizes the release of harmful chemicals into air, water, and soil, thus protecting ecosystems and wildlife.  Exposure to toxic chemicals can increase the risk of numerous health effects such as cancer, developmental disorders, respiratory effects, diabetes, and reproductive problems. Waste Management Regulations  Ensure that waste is managed in ways that protect the environment and human health, emphasizing reduction, reuse, and recycling.  Regulations help prevent exposure to hazardous wastes, reducing the risk of health problems such as respiratory issues, skin irritations, infections, and other diseases caused by improper waste handling.  Waste management regulations minimize pollution by controlling the disposal of solid, liquid, and hazardous wastes, thereby protecting air, water, and soil quality. Natural Resource Management Laws  Promote the sustainable use and management of natural resources to prevent overexploitation.  Natural Resource Management laws are fundamental for maintaining the balance between human development and environmental stewardship. By enforcing sustainable practices, Edited by: Febby Reyes  protecting ecosystems, and involving communities, these laws ensure that natural resources are managed responsibly for the benefit of current and future generations. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)  EIA is a process that evaluates the environmental, social, and economic impacts of proposed projects before they are allowed to proceed. It focuses on specific developments, such as infrastructure projects, industrial activities, or resource extraction, to ensure that adverse effects are identified, minimized, or mitigated.  SEA is a systematic decision-making tool used to assess the environmental effects of proposed policies, plans, and programs (PPP). It is applied at a higher, strategic level, such as national or regional planning, to integrate environmental considerations into policy-making.  Both EIA and SEA play crucial roles in sustainable development by ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into decision-making processes. While EIA focuses on specific projects, SEA operates at a broader level, influencing the strategic decisions that shape entire sectors or regions. Together, they help safeguard the environment and promote responsible development. V. Philippines’ Laws and Regulation (Additional Information Only) The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9275) Edited by: Febby Reyes   This Act aims to protect the country's water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities). The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749)  This Act establishes a comprehensive air pollution control policy for the country by preserving and protecting air quality, establishing an air quality management system, prohibiting certain forms of waste disposal, and regulating emissions. Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 ( Republic Act 9003)  This Act provides the necessary policy framework, institutional mechanisms and mandate to the local government unites (LGUs) to achieve 25% waste reduction through establishing an integrated solid waste management plans based on 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycling). Edited by: Febby Reyes  References GeeksforGeeks. (2024, April 30). Real life application of environmental engineering. Retrieved from https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/real-life-application-of-environmental-engineering/ Environmental engineering: types, examples & projects. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.vaia.com/en- us/explanations/engineering/what-is-engineering/environmental-engineering/ Introduction to environmental engineering. (2022, February 1). Retrieved from https://www.mheducation.com/highered/product/introduction-environmental-engineering-davis- cornwell/M9781260241099.html Index of /courses/engs37. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cushman.host.dartmouth.edu/courses/engs37/ Webmaster, I. (2024, March 10). Understanding the role of environmental engineers in contamination control | iEnvironmental Australia. iEnvironmental Australia. Retrieved from https://www.ienvi.com.au Edited by: Febby Reyes Edited by: Febby Reyes