Module manager: Dr cynthia Okoro-Shekwaga
Email: C.K.OkoroShekwaga@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Admission to UG programmes in the School of Civil Engineering
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the treatment of wastewater and the key design considerations. They will gain an understanding of what wastewater is, why it needs to be treated and the impacts untreated or partially treated wastewater discharge has on the aquatic environment. The module will cover the physical, chemical and microbiological processes involved in wastewater treatment. It will also cover the design of the upstream (sewage collection), downstream (sludge treatment and disposal, and energy recovery) systems.
The objectives of this module are:
- To understand the design and operational concepts behind wastewater treatment and the collection of sewage;
- To understand the options available for the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics/ engineering principles, to analyse, characterise and describe the performance of different wastewater treatment systems and individual components (M1 and M2);
2. Apply mathematical and statistical methods, tools and notations to the analysis of wastewater treatment systems and to developing solutions to wastewater engineering problems (M2 and M3);
3. Design solutions for wastewater treatments considering social, environmental and economic matters following applicable industry standards and health/safety requirements (M5);
4. Evaluate socio-environmental impact of solutions by including life-cycle consideration (M7);
5. Select and apply appropriate materials and equipment and recognise limitations of technologies and processes (M13);
6. Evaluate the risk in a wastewater system including the security risk (M9 and M10);
7. Develop ability to undertake design relevant to wastewater engineering (M5).
ACADEMIC SKILLS
-Critical Analysis & Problem Solving: Analyse physical, chemical, and microbiological processes in wastewater treatment and design effective solutions.
-Numerical Analysis: Apply mathematical and statistical methods to reactor design, BOD kinetics, and sludge treatment processes.
-Research & Evidence Gathering: Evaluate literature and standards for wastewater engineering and sustainability practices.
DIGITAL SKILLS
-Digital Proficiency: Use engineering software for hydraulic calculations, sewer network design, and treatment plant modelling.
-Data Handling: Process and interpret operational data for performance evaluation and risk assessment.
WORK-READY SKILLS
-Communication: Prepare technical reports and presentations on wastewater system design and environmental impact.
-Time Management & Organisation: Plan design tasks and meet deadlines for coursework and projects.
-Teamwork/Collaboration: Work collaboratively on design exercises and problem-solving activities.
ENTERPRISE SKILLS
-Innovation & Solution Design: Develop sustainable wastewater treatment solutions considering life-cycle impacts and resource efficiency.
-Decision-Making: Assess trade-offs between cost, environmental impact, and compliance with health and safety standards.
SUSTAINABILITY SKILLS
-Systems Thinking: Incorporate sustainability principles into wastewater engineering, including sludge disposal and energy recovery.
-Risk Evaluation: Identify and mitigate operational and security risks in wastewater systems
- Physical, chemical and microbiological processes involved in wastewater treatment
- Upstream (sewage collection) and downstream (sludge treatment and disposal) systems.
- Design of sewer systems: separate, combined and partially separate; and the impact of combined sewer overflows (CSOs)
- Wastewater treatment systems: BOD removal kinetics (first and second order) in completely mixed, plug flow and dispersed flow reactors; biofilters and reactor; biological reactor design; activated sludge processes; microbial ecology of wastewater treatment processes and operations of trickling filters; sludge treatment: thickening, anaerobic digestion, dewatering, composting, incineration, drying, disposal to land, other disposal options.
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 80 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
1 x seminar
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team