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Drinking Water

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to give students the knowledge necessary to understand the production requirements for drinking water as an ingredient of food, the quality control system, as well as to master skills how to determine various quality parameters of drinking water according to ISO standards.
The objective of the course is
to get acquainted with various methods used for drinking water production, quality control systems, water sampling techniques, methods of practical determination of water quality indicators and evaluation with their normative values according to the legislation requirements of the Republic of Latvia. .
The course is taught in Latvian.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge:
1) to understand the EU directives on mandatory drinking water safety requirements and the regulation of the Cabinet of Ministries for drinking water and water sources intended for production of drinking water;
2) to gain knowledge’s about the evaluation methods of the chemical content of waters;
Skills:
3) to evaluate different analysis methods and the obtained results of drinking water;
Competencies:
4) in theoretical knowledge’s and practical skills on the determination of drinking water quality indicators;
5) students will be able to work in the laboratory and evaluate different properties and usability of water samples.

Course Content(Calendar)

Lectures
1. Physical-chemical properties of water, classification of water samples and biochemical properties. Water in food items. L2
2. Drinking water, its production from surface and underground water. L2
3. Quality control assurance system for drinking water. L2 S1
4. Sampling of drinking water. L2
5. Certified methods of analyses, method validation and quality control system of measurements. Macro- and micro-components analysis methods. L2 S1
6. Determination of various quality parameters of water. S2
7. Review of instrumental analysis methods of drinking water. L2 S2
8. Newest trends for description of water quality. S2
Laboratory works
1st laboratory work. The evaluation of water quality.
2nd laboratory work. The evaluation of water quality.
3rd laboratory work. The evaluation of water quality.
4th laboratory work. The evaluation of water quality.

Requirements for awarding credit points

During mastering of the course, students complete 4 laboratory works and write 4 reports of them, and elaborate precision and accuracy of used methods. In the seminars students should master evaluation of water quality control system, and should evaluate application of different analysis methods for determination of different physic-chemical and chemical parameters of drinking water.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The independent work of the students is organized individually assigning the following tasks:
1) to prepare independently for seminars and intermediate examinations;
2) to study literature on topics related to respective course;
3) to prepare laboratory protocols and evaluate the quality of analysed water samples.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The total assessment of the results achieved by students in the study course consists of:
1) laboratory works elaboration (30%);
2) colloquiums (20%);
3) activity in seminars (10%);
4) written exam (40%).

Compulsory reading

1. Pastare, S., Gigele, R., Vīksna, A. (2007) Dzeramais ūdens. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds.
2. Spellmann, F.R., Drinan, J.E. (2012) The drinking water handbook. 2nd edit. CRC Press. Taylor & Francis Group.
3. Baltess, V. (1998) Pārtikas ķīmija. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds.
4. Guidelines for drinking water quality (2004) World Health Organisation.
5. Standard methods for examination of water and wastewater (2005) USA, APHA.

Further reading

1. Kļaviņš, M., Zicmanis, A. (1998) Ūdeņu ķīmija. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds.
2. Bambergs, K. (1993) Ģeoloģija un hidroģeoloģija. Zvaigzne.
3. Kļaviņš, M., Cimdiņš, P. (2004) Ūdeņu kvalitāte un tās aizsardzība. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds.
4. Karpoviča, I., Šidlovska, V. (2000) Ārsnieciskie minerālūdeņi. Materia Medica.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Pārtikas aprites uzraudzības likums
2. Vides aizsardzības likums
3. Water research
4. Journal of Water Chemistry and Technology