Learning Objectives:

• Understand the regulatory bodies and agencies responsible for setting water quality standards, including federal, state, and international entities.
• Familiarize yourself with the primary water quality parameters, such as pH, turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and chemical contaminants, which are subject to regulatory limits.
• Comprehend the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and its significance in ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies, including the establishment of Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and Treatment Techniques.
• Learn appropriate water sampling techniques, including sample collection, preservation, and storage, to ensure representative and accurate results.
• Understand the laboratory methods and equipment used to analyze water samples for various parameters, including chemical, physical, and biological tests.
• Microbiological Testing: Familiarize yourself with microbiological testing methods for assessing the presence of pathogens and indicator organisms in water.
• Data Interpretation: Gain the ability to interpret water quality data and assess compliance with regulatory standards.
• Explore common water treatment processes, including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, etc.

Solved Example: 9271-01

Blue baby disease found in infants is due to excessive ________ in drinking water.

A. Colour

B. Sulphates

C. Carbonates

D. Nitrates

Correct Answer: D

Solved Example: 9271-02

Orthotolidine test is used to determine:

A. Hardness of water

B. Residual chloride in water

C. Sulphades in water

D. Nitrogen in water

Correct Answer: B

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common wastewater quality parameters of concern in geotechnical engineering projects, including biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), heavy metals, and pathogens.
• Understand the significance of each parameter in assessing wastewater quality and potential environmental impacts.

Wastewater standards are established to protect public health, the environment, and water resources. They set limits on the discharge of pollutants into water bodies.

Wastewater Characteristics and Composition:

• Types of Wastewater:
Domestic wastewater comes from households, while industrial wastewater originates from industrial processes. Combined sewage includes both.
• Common Wastewater Constituents:
Pollutants include suspended solids, organic matter, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), pathogens, and chemical contaminants.
• Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD):
BOD measures the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms while breaking down organic matter. High BOD levels indicate pollution.
• Total Suspended Solids (TSS):
TSS measures the amount of suspended particles in wastewater. Excessive TSS can harm aquatic life and reduce water clarity.

Wastewater Treatment Standards:

• Primary Treatment:
Involves physical removal of solids through processes like screening and sedimentation. Does not significantly reduce BOD.
• Secondary Treatment:
Biological processes reduce organic pollutants. Common methods include activated sludge and trickling filters.
• Tertiary Treatment:
Additional treatment to further improve water quality. Often includes advanced processes like filtration and nutrient removal.

Solved Example: 9268-01

BOD$_5$ at 20$^\circ$C should not be more than ______ for discharging the treated effluent into inland surface water.

A. 30 mg/L

B. 600 mg/L

C. 100 mg/L

D. 14 mg/L

Correct Answer: A

Solved Example: 9268-02

Which of the following is NOT true about PVC pipes?

A. They have no problem of incrustation

B. They possess low coefficient of expansion as compared to cast-iron or galvanized-iron pipes

C. They have good insulation properties hence the temperature of water passing through such pipes is not effected by outside temperature

D. They possess high Hazen Williams Constant and it results into adaptation of smaller size of PVC pipes compared to other conventional materials

Correct Answer: B

Solved Example: 9268-03

The biochemical treatment of sewage effluents is essentially a process of

A. Oxidation

B. Dehydration

C. Reduction

D. Alkalization

Correct Answer: A

Solved Example: 9268-04

Sea water contains ________ of oxygen contained in fresh water stream.

A. 60%

B. 70%

C. 75%

D. 80%

Correct Answer: D

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common air pollutants associated with geotechnical engineering activities, such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NO$_x$), sulfur dioxide (SO$_2$), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and dust.
• Understand the sources, emission mechanisms, and health effects of these air pollutants in the context of geotechnical construction, excavation, and earthmoving activities.

Air quality standards and testing play a vital role in environmental engineering, public health, and civil engineering. Understanding these standards and the testing methods is essential for managing air quality and compliance with regulations.

Air Quality Standards:

• Air Quality Index (AQI): The AQI is a standardized measure used to communicate air quality to the public. It quantifies the concentrations of key air pollutants and provides a numerical value indicating the level of health concern.
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): These are U.S. federal standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific air pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and lead (Pb).
• World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines: WHO provides global air quality guidelines for key pollutants to protect public health.

Solved Example: 9267-01

Smog is:

A. Ozone and smoke

B. Vehicular pollutant

C. Fog and smoke

D. Fog and Ozone

Correct Answer: C

Solved Example: 9267-02

Given below are two statements

Statement I: Summer smog is primarily associated with photochemical formation of ozone and other pollutants

Statement II: The Great Smog of London disaster, is a classic example of summer smog

In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below

A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true

B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false

C. Statement I is true but Statement II is false

D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Correct Answer: C

Solved Example: 9267-03

'Wheezing' is the most relevant Health Effect in case of the air pollutant:

A. Ozone

B. Carbon monoxide

C. Nitrogen dioxide

D. Sulphur dioxide

Correct Answer: D

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the concept of noise pollution and its effects on human health, well-being, and the environment.
• Familiarize yourself with relevant noise regulations and standards set by local, state, and federal authorities.
• Learn about noise ordinances and permissible noise levels for different types of areas (residential, commercial, industrial).
• Understand the principles of decibel (dB) scales and A-weighting for assessing noise levels.
• Explore noise control methods and strategies such as noise barriers, sound insulation, and mufflers.

Solved Example: 9361-01

In a city the noise levels represented by equivalent sound pressure level over 8 years period were reported as 80 dB (A). What does 'A' refer to?

A. A type of amplifier used in the measurement

B. A type of microphone used in the measurement

C. The measurement of day time

D. A type of weighting used in the measurement

Correct Answer: D

Solved Example: 9361-02

Exposure to excessive noise pollution can cause

(A) Hearing impairment

(B) Insomnia

(C) Rise in blood pressure

(D) Respiratory disease

(E) Reduced work efficiency

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

A. (A), (C), (E) only

B. (A), (C), (D) only

C. (B), (C) and (E) only

D. (A), (B), (C) and (E) only

Correct Answer: D

Solved Example: 9361-03

Consider the following statements regarding noise pollution:

A) Noise levels decrease as we move away from the source of noise

B) Materials with high surface/mass density act as good noise barriers

C) Sound pressure of 2 Pa corresponds to a noise of zero decibel

Choose the correct option from those given below:

A. A) and B) only

B. B) and C) only

C. A) and C) only

D. A), B) and C)

Correct Answer: A

Solved Example: 9361-04

Noise pollution is created if the noise is in excess of ________.

A. 80 - 100 dB

B. 50 - 60 dB

C. 70 - 75 dB

D. 40 - 65 dB

Correct Answer: A

Solved Example: 9361-05

Given below are two statements :

Statement I : Noise Pollution has an adverse impact on hearing ability as well as psychological well being of a person.

Statement II :Human perception of noise levels is linear.

In the light of the above statements, Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true.

B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false.

C. Statement I is true but Statement II is false.

D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true.

Noise pollution and thereby exposing human hearing to consistent levels of high volumes can cause hearing impairment as well it can cause psychological and emotional damage.

Loudness is a subjective reaction to sound amplitude. It is a human's assessment of the strength of a sound. It is not linearly related to either sound pressure level (dB) or sound power level.

Correct Answer: C