Frequently Asked Questions (Environmental Eng. & Solution)

Environmental engineering, like many fields of engineering, involves the planning, design, construction and operation of equipment, systems, and structures for the benefit of society. In the case of environmental engineering, the equipment, systems, and structures are for the protection and enhancement of the environment. The major fields within environmental engineering are air pollution control, wastewater treatment/water pollution control, hazardous waste management, water treatment (for drinking water and for industrial water use), and solid waste management.

Engineers receive many years of highly specialized education in their respective areas of expertise and are trained to find practical, economical solutions to real-world problems. Their education and training teach them to look beyond just the problem at hand and identify other issues or considerations that might also affect a project. A professional engineer is licensed by the state to practice engineering.

Environmental engineering is the application of scientific and engineering principles to improve and maintain the environment to: protect human health, protect nature's beneficial ecosystems, and improve environmental-related enhancement of the quality of human life.

They are involved in water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, and public health issues. Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-waste management studies in which they evaluate the significance of the hazard, advise on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to prevent mishaps.

Disposing of waste has huge environmental impacts and can cause serious problems. ... Some waste will eventually rot, but not all, and in the process, it may smell, or generate methane gas, which is explosive and contributes to the greenhouse effect. Leachate produced as waste decomposes may cause pollution.

The solid wastes can be converted into gas to produce energy. We can generate electricity by burning solid waste found in landfills. A community must have a waste to energy facility that incinerates garbage and transforms chemical energy into thermal energy.

You can get in on the action of turning your garbage into power by making an EGG – Electricity from Garbage Generator. This machine can produce electricity without harming the environment. It is easy to make, and the bonus is that you can recycle your garbage instead of throwing it away.

The threat of waste to the environment, health and safety are huge. And so are the financial and social ramifications, waste experts say. Pollution runs into rivers and seeps into groundwater. Flooding is caused by garbage clogging drains, and the atmosphere can be poisoned by the toxic discharge from the trash.

Filtration - The clear water on top passes through filters composed of sand, gravel and charcoal to remove dissolved particles such as dust, parasites, bacteria, viruses and chemicals. Disinfection - Chlorine or chloramine is added to kill parasites, bacteria, viruses and germs.

The methods used include physical processes such as filtration, sedimentation, and distillation; biological processes such as slow sand filters or biologically active carbon; chemical processes such as flocculation and chlorination; and the use of electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet light.