UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
College of Science, Engineering and Technology
⋄
EEN3700 ASSIGNMENT 01
Semester 1 Assignment 01 – 2026
⋄
Module Code: EEN3700
Module Name: Environmental Engineering
Assignment No.: 01
Due Date: 2026
Semester: Semester 1, 2026
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Environmental Engineering
at the University of South Africa.
, UNISA | EEN3700 Water Quality Management – Assignment 01
Question 2.4.1: Water Quality Management Plan for an Urban Area
A municipal engineering department is developing a long-term water quality management plan
for a growing urban area. To make informed decisions, engineers must follow systematic steps.
2.4.1.1 Explain what is meant by water quality.
Water quality refers to the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water measured
against established standards to determine its suitability for a particular use (World Health
Organization, 2017). Therefore, water that is suitable for drinking may not necessarily be
suitable for industrial cooling, because the acceptable parameter ranges differ across uses.
The physical parameters of water quality include colour, odour, taste, temperature, turbidity,
and electrical conductivity. The chemical parameters cover pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity,
chlorine residual, and the concentration of dissolved salts. The biological parameters address
the presence and concentration of pathogenic micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and
protozoa (Davis, 2010). Together, these three parameter categories provide a complete picture
of water quality at any given point in the supply chain.
Key Distinction
Water Quality vs Water Safety: Water quality is a broad term describing all mea-
surable characteristics of water. Water safety, by contrast, refers specifically to the
absence of constituents that pose a risk to human health. A body of water can have
high aesthetic quality (clear, odourless) yet remain microbiologically unsafe (World
Health Organization, 2017).
2.4.1.2 List the stages involved in water quality management that the engineers should
follow.
Water quality management is structured as a sequential process that ensures water remains fit
for purpose from source to consumer (Australian and New Zealand Governments, 2017). The
stages engineers follow are:
1. Problem identification and scoping – Define the water body, its uses, and the regula-
tory framework that applies.
2. Data collection and baseline assessment – Gather physical, chemical, and biological
Page 1 of 10
College of Science, Engineering and Technology
⋄
EEN3700 ASSIGNMENT 01
Semester 1 Assignment 01 – 2026
⋄
Module Code: EEN3700
Module Name: Environmental Engineering
Assignment No.: 01
Due Date: 2026
Semester: Semester 1, 2026
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Environmental Engineering
at the University of South Africa.
, UNISA | EEN3700 Water Quality Management – Assignment 01
Question 2.4.1: Water Quality Management Plan for an Urban Area
A municipal engineering department is developing a long-term water quality management plan
for a growing urban area. To make informed decisions, engineers must follow systematic steps.
2.4.1.1 Explain what is meant by water quality.
Water quality refers to the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water measured
against established standards to determine its suitability for a particular use (World Health
Organization, 2017). Therefore, water that is suitable for drinking may not necessarily be
suitable for industrial cooling, because the acceptable parameter ranges differ across uses.
The physical parameters of water quality include colour, odour, taste, temperature, turbidity,
and electrical conductivity. The chemical parameters cover pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity,
chlorine residual, and the concentration of dissolved salts. The biological parameters address
the presence and concentration of pathogenic micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and
protozoa (Davis, 2010). Together, these three parameter categories provide a complete picture
of water quality at any given point in the supply chain.
Key Distinction
Water Quality vs Water Safety: Water quality is a broad term describing all mea-
surable characteristics of water. Water safety, by contrast, refers specifically to the
absence of constituents that pose a risk to human health. A body of water can have
high aesthetic quality (clear, odourless) yet remain microbiologically unsafe (World
Health Organization, 2017).
2.4.1.2 List the stages involved in water quality management that the engineers should
follow.
Water quality management is structured as a sequential process that ensures water remains fit
for purpose from source to consumer (Australian and New Zealand Governments, 2017). The
stages engineers follow are:
1. Problem identification and scoping – Define the water body, its uses, and the regula-
tory framework that applies.
2. Data collection and baseline assessment – Gather physical, chemical, and biological
Page 1 of 10
