EEN3701
Assessment 05
Due Year 2025
, EEN3701 Assessment 05 Due 2025
Question 1
1.1 List and briefly explain five main parameters that define the quality of wastewater
and for each, describe its significance or impact on wastewater treatment and the
environment.
Wastewater quality is commonly assessed through a set of physical, chemical, and
biological parameters, each of which carries implications for both treatment processes
and environmental outcomes. Five of the most critical parameters are as follows:
1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD):
BOD measures the quantity of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in decomposing
organic matter within a given period (commonly five days). High BOD signifies elevated
organic pollution, which can deplete dissolved oxygen in receiving waters, leading to
hypoxic conditions that endanger aquatic organisms and may trigger large-scale fish
kills. From a treatment perspective, elevated BOD requires intensive aeration and
extended biological processing, thereby increasing both energy consumption and
operational costs. Environmentally, untreated high-BOD discharges accelerate
eutrophication and destabilize aquatic ecosystems.
Assessment 05
Due Year 2025
, EEN3701 Assessment 05 Due 2025
Question 1
1.1 List and briefly explain five main parameters that define the quality of wastewater
and for each, describe its significance or impact on wastewater treatment and the
environment.
Wastewater quality is commonly assessed through a set of physical, chemical, and
biological parameters, each of which carries implications for both treatment processes
and environmental outcomes. Five of the most critical parameters are as follows:
1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD):
BOD measures the quantity of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in decomposing
organic matter within a given period (commonly five days). High BOD signifies elevated
organic pollution, which can deplete dissolved oxygen in receiving waters, leading to
hypoxic conditions that endanger aquatic organisms and may trigger large-scale fish
kills. From a treatment perspective, elevated BOD requires intensive aeration and
extended biological processing, thereby increasing both energy consumption and
operational costs. Environmentally, untreated high-BOD discharges accelerate
eutrophication and destabilize aquatic ecosystems.
