WATR06012 2018 Drinking Water Treatment Plant Maintenance

Describe the main elements of a quality framework for the operation and maintenance of water treatment and distribution systems

Explain what a Water Safety Plan (WSP) is and the role of the Plant Operator in achieving the objectives of the WSP

Discuss the differences in approach to the work of a Plant Operator between Planned Preventative Maintenance and unplanned responses to breakdowns and/or emergency situations

Discuss the tasks involved in monitoring and maintenance of a water treatment plant and distribution system for source protection, raw water quality, process performance, treated water quality compliance, residuals treatment, asset condition and process efficiency

Discuss how the maintenance of water treatment plants and water distribution systems should be managed to achieve legal, environmental, technical and economic objectives.

This module will be delivered using blended learning techniques. This will include online lectures (via Adobe Connect or similar), workshops and site visits augmented by independent learning and directed learning. This approach is expected to address student-learning needs. Moodle will be used to upload educational material (i.e. presentations and recordings of online lectures plus supplementary reading material) and as a means of assessment (e.g. quizzes, uploading assignments and journals). This blended approach (lectures and workshops) brings students together to facilitate group learning.

This module is 40% Continuous Assessment and 60% Final Exam.

Assessment will consist of two MCQs in weeks 4 - 6 and 8 - 10.

A practical assignment issued in weeks 3 - 4 must be submitted in weeks 10 - 12.

Repeat Continuous Assessment and/or Final Exam.

1. Describe the main elements of a quality framework for the operation and maintenance of water treatment and distribution systems
   This learning outcome will be addressed by a summary of the main elements of a Quality Management System based on ISO9001, set in the context of the operation and maintenance of water treatment and distribution systems.
2. Explain what a Water Safety Plan (WSP) is and the role of the Plant Operator in achieving the objectives of the WSP
   This learning outcome will be addressed by an in-depth study of the WHO/EPA/Irish Water frameworks for WSPs
3. Discuss the differences in approach to the work of a Plant Operator between Planned Preventative Maintenance and unplanned responses to breakdowns and/or emergency situations
   This learning outcome focuses on how to maintain the entire system in optimum condition and help prevent breakdowns and emergency situations arising
4. Discuss the tasks involved in monitoring and maintenance of a water treatment plant and distribution system for source protection, raw water quality, process performance, treated water quality compliance, residuals treatment, asset condition and process efficiency
   This learning outcome sets out the various types of monitoring and maintenance regimes required for source protection, raw water quality, assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of individual unit processes, the use of resources such as energy, chemicals, water and other materials, how to maintain the entire system in optimum condition and help prevent breakdowns and emergency situations arising
5. Discuss how the maintenance of water treatment plants and water distribution systems should be managed to achieve legal, environmental, technical and economic objectives.
   This learning outcome will address a wide range of operation/maintenance/monitoring/calibration issues typically encountered by Water Treatment Plant Operators (e.g. raw water source and intake, pumping, screening, coagulation and flocculation, clarification, filtration, disinfection, fluoridation, pH control), assessing energy consumption and operating efficiencies, pump calibrations, calculating precise dose rates of a range of chemicals (e.g. inorganic coagulants, polyelectrolytes, chlorine, fluoride, pH correction chemicals), and visual inspection of assets and facilities (e.g. evidence of disrepair, corrosion, noise, odours and other nuisance issues).