Water and waste water technology answer sheet

QUESTION ONE
a) Define the following terms
i) Water demand- Water demand refers to the quantity of water that is required by individuals,
communities, industries, and agriculture for various purposes.
ii) Water Abstraction-Water abstraction, also known as water withdrawal or water extraction, refers to the
process of removing water from its natural source, such as rivers, lakes, groundwater aquifers, or
reservoirs, for various human uses and purposes
iii) Flocculation-Flocculation is a water treatment process where solids form larger clusters, or flocs, to be
removed from water.
iv) Coagulation-Coagulation is the chemical water treatment process used to remove solids from water,
by manipulating electrostatic charges of particles suspended in water. This process introduces small,
highly charged molecules into water to destabilize the charges on particles, colloids, or oily materials in
suspension.
(4 marks)
QUESTION TWO
State the purpose of each of the following:
i. Reservoirs-to store the rain that falls during the wetter parts of the year, so that there is a continuous
supply of water for the drier periods.
ii. Aluminum sulphate-is used in water purification and for chemical phosphorus removal from
wastewater. It causes suspended impurities to coagulate into larger particles and then settle to the bottom
of the container (or be filtered out) more easily.
iii. Screens-bar screen removes large solids from the water. As the drainage passes through the bar screen,
it can remove large solids such as rags, napkins, sticks, cans, plastic bags, and polyethylene that are
present in the drainage.
iv. Cut off valves-allow for easier servicing of equipment without affecting the rest of the system by
quickly stopping air from reaching part of the application in use. Simple to operate, they can be used in
the event of risk to safety, equipment failure or in order to carry out maintenance.
(4 marks)
QUESTION THREE
Sketch four water valves supply symbols.
Gate valve
Relief valve

Check-stop valve

Check valve

Butterfly valve
Ball valve

Slide valve

(4 marks)
QUESTION FOUR
Differentiate between fluoridation and desalination
Desalination: Desalination is a process that converts seawater into freshwater
While Fluoridation is simply the process of adding fluoride to the water supply to an optimum level that
allows everyone to enjoy its beneficial effects.
. (4 marks)
QUESTION FIVE
List four reasons of treating waste water

a) Prevent Waterborne Pollution

 b) Safeguard Public Health and Safety
c) Improve the efficiency of your industrial manufacturing process with wastewater treatment,
particularly employing liquid-solids separation technology.
d) Reduce waste from your facility by implementing an industrial wastewater treatment system
(4 marks)
QUESTION SIX
List five types of plastic water pipes
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride):
uPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride):
PE (Polyethylene):
PPR (Polypropylene Random Copolymer):
PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene):
CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride):
(5 marks)
QUESTION SEVEN
State five sources of water
Surface Water:
Groundwater
Aquifers
Rainfall:
Spring Water (4 marks)
QUESTION EIGHT
Highlight five water storage structures

 Weirs
 Dams
 Tanks (elevate, surface and sub-surface)
 Water pans
 ponds

(4 marks)
QUESTION NINE

Give five waste water colour coding and their meaning in reference to waste
Black or Dark Brown: Typically indicates sewage or domestic wastewater. This water comes from
toilets, sinks, and drains in homes and businesses.
Gray: Represents wastewater from household activities, excluding sewage. This includes water from
showers, sinks, and laundry.
Green: Often signifies stormwater or surface runoff. This is water that flows from rain, melting snow, or
other precipitation over streets, parking lots, and other surfaces.
Blue: Indicates treated or clean water. This can be water that has undergone treatment and is safe for
discharge or reuse, such as in industrial processes.
Yellow or Orange: May be used to mark industrial wastewater. The specific shade might represent the
type or source of the industrial discharge.
Red: Often used to mark hazardous or toxic wastewater. This can include wastewater containing
chemicals, heavy metals, or other harmful substances.
Purple: May indicate reclaimed or recycled water. Purple pipes are often used to distribute non-potable
water for irrigation or industrial purposes.
White or Clear: Typically represents clean or treated water. This can include water that has undergone
filtration and purification processes, making it suitable for specific uses.
Brown or Yellowish-Brown: Can indicate organic or agricultural runoff. This water may contain organic
matter and nutrients from agricultural activities or natural sources.
Pink: In some cases, pink may be used for healthcare or pharmaceutical wastewater, which can contain
substances from medical facilities.

(4 marks)

SECTION B
ATTEMPT ANY THREE QUESTIONS
QUESTION TEN
Discuss the water treatment processes based on water quality
i. Collection- is water from different places are brought together via a system of
pipes which normally containing household water majorly.
ii. Screening and staining-this is the removal of objects like plastic and metal that
can cause damage and cogging of downstream equipment
iii. Chemical addition-chemicals like sodium chloride and potassium chloride are
added and aid in the organic contaminant removal by exchange of ions.
iv. Coagulation and flocculation
v. Sedimentation and clarification-is the removal of the suspended mater by
adding compounds and stirring. These suspended materials vary in property and
the added compounds cause them to collide and grow hence they seize to be
suspended and thus easily removed.
vi. Filtration- is the separation of the solid from the liquid using a filter Sludge
digestion,
vii. Sludge drying
viii.Waste stabilization ponds (Anaerobic, Facultative, and Maturation)
ix. Disinfection- is the killing of germs and can be done using UV chlorine among
others
x. Storage- keeping the water before it is released to the public as different tests
are being run on it to confirm treatment
xi. Distribution- supply of water to users after treatment
(20 marks)
QUESTION ELEVEN
a) Explain five applications of air valves
• Sewage and Sewage Pipelines – Protection against air and gas build-up, and vacuum formation
at elevations, grade points, and road or watercourse crossings.
• Wastewater and wastewater pumping stations – Air relief, vacuum prevention, and water
hammer protection
• Residual and sewage water – Protection against the formation of vacuum, pressure waves, and
water hammer at points prone to separation from the water column.
• Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants – Protection against the accumulation of
air and gas, and the formation of a vacuum. (10 marks)
b) State five types of flow meters
differential pressure
velocity
positive displacement
mass flow
open channel
(10 marks)
QUESTION TWELVE
With the aid of a labelled sketch, show ten pipe fittings and their uses.
Elbows: Used to change the angle or direction of the pipe run. Most commonly in 90 degrees and
45 degree turns. The sweep of the fitting describes how fast a transition or change in direction is
made.
• Street Elbows: One end of the pipe fitting has male threads and the other end has female threads.
These are common in galvanized steel and copper pipe. They are convenient because they do
away with the need for a nipple and work well in tight quarters.
• Tee Fittings: Shaped like the letter T. Allows for branch lines.
• Couplings: Used to join two straight pieces of pipe of the same diameter.
• Reducers: Used to join pipes of different diameters. Makes a gradual change in diameter.
• Bushings: Used to make the diameter of a pipe fitting smaller. They are different from reducers
because they make an abrupt change in diameter and take little space.
• Unions: Used to join pieces of pipe where pipes cannot be turned or when a piece of equipment
may have to be removed for maintenance or replacement.
• Adaptor Fittings: Used to change the end of a non-threaded pipe to male or female threads as
needed. Most commonly used in copper and plastic plumbing jobs.
• Caps: Used to close the end of a dead-end pipe.
• Plugs: Used to close an ending on a pipe fitting normally used for inspection or cleanout.
• Nipples: Short lengths of pipe threaded at both ends.
• Wyes: Used primarily to gain inside access to DWV (drain-waste-vent) systems.
• Valves: Devices that control the flow of liquid or gas through or from a pipe. (Compression
valves, ball valves, sleeve-cartridge valves, ceramic disc valves, etc)

(10 marks)
QUESTION THIRTEEN
a) Describe four water distribution system with help of diagram

Dead End system:

It is suitable for old towns and cities having a definite pattern of roads.
Radial system:
In this system, the area is divided into different zones. The water is pumped into the distribution
zone kept in the middle of each zone. The water supplies are radially ending towards the border.

Grid Iron system:

It is suitable for cities with a rectangular layout where the mains and laid in rectangles.
 Ring system:
The supply main is laid all along the peripheral roads and sub-main branches out from the mains.
It also follows the grid iron system with a flow pattern similar to it and character to the dead-end
system.
Advantages:
 Water can be provided to any point from at least two directions.

(16marks)
b) State four characteristics of good distribution system
1. The quality of water should deteriorate in distribution pipes.
2. It must be supplying water to desired places with enough pressure.
3. It should be capable of supplying an ample amount of water for firefighting.
4. The layout should be such that no consumer gets affected if there is repair in the pipe.
5. The distribution pipe should be laid 1 meter away from the sewer pipe.
6. The pipe should be tight enough to minimize leakage. (4marks)