Introduction to Sanitary Engineering
"Sanitary engineering is a specialized branch of civil engineering focused on the design,
construction, and maintenance of infrastructure systems that manage water supply,
wastewater treatment, solid waste disposal, and public health protection through
environmental sanitation."
This emphasizes both the technical aspects (water supply, wastewater, solid waste
management) and the broader goal of protecting public health.
Water Supply Wastewater Treatment
Design Design
Construction Construction
Maintenance Maintenance
Sanitary
Public Health Protection Engineering Solid Waste Disposal
Environmental Sanitation Design
Health Regulations Construction
Community Awareness Maintenance
Overview of Sanitary Engineering
Sanitary engineering plays a crucial role in public health and environmental protection. It
encompasses various aspects of civil engineering, environmental science, and public health
to ensure that communities have access to clean water and effective waste management
systems. The primary goal of sanitary engineering is to prevent the spread of disease and
protect the environment by managing water resources and waste effectively.
Common Terms in Sanitary Engineering
1. **Sanitation**
The science and practice of promoting health through the prevention of human contact with
hazards in the environment, including waste management and water quality.
Sanitation and Public Health Cycle
Prevent
Promote Public Environmental
Health Hazards
Ensure Water Manage Waste
Quality Effectively
2. **Wastewater**
Water that has been used in homes, industries, or businesses and contains contaminants.
Wastewater requires treatment before it can be safely released into the environment.
Sources Contaminants
Homes Biological
Industries Wastewater Chemical
Businesses Physical
Treatment
Primary Treatment
Secondary Treatment
Tertiary Treatment
3. **Sewage**
A type of wastewater that specifically comes from domestic sources, including human waste,
food scraps, and household chemicals.
Human
Waste
Domestic
Food Scraps
Wastewater
Household
Chemicals
4. **Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)**
A facility designed to treat wastewater to remove contaminants before it is discharged into
the environment or reused.
Wastewater
Initial
Screening
Primary
Treatment
Secondary
Treatment
Tertiary
Treatment
Discharge or
Reuse?
Discharge
Discharged
Reused
into
Water
Environment
5. **Stormwater Management**
The practice of controlling and managing the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff to
prevent flooding and pollution.
Stormwater
Runoff
Drainage
Systems
Treatment
Successful?
No
Yes
Prevent Prevent Continued Continued
Flooding Pollution Flooding Pollution
6. **Solid Waste**
Any non-liquid waste material, including garbage, refuse, and recyclables, that is discarded
by households, businesses, and industries.
Disposal
Garbage
Methods
Households
Sources of
Disposal
Non-Liquid Businesses Refuse
Methods
Waste
Industries
Recycling
Recyclables
Methods
7. **Composting**
A method of recycling organic waste, such as food scraps and yard waste, into a nutrient-rich
soil amendment through natural decomposition.
Create
Collect Process
Decompose Nutrient-Rich
Organic Organic
Naturally Soil
Waste Waste
Amendment
8. **Biosolids**
Nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of sewage sludge, which can be
used as fertilizer in agriculture and landscaping.
9. **Water Quality**
A measure of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water, which
determines its suitability for various uses, including drinking, recreation, and agriculture.
10. **Public Health**
The science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education,
policy-making, and research for disease and injury prevention.
Conclusion
Sanitary engineering is an essential field that integrates various disciplines to ensure the
health and safety of communities through effective water and waste management.
Understanding the common terms used in this field is crucial for professionals and
stakeholders involved in public health, environmental protection, and urban planning. As we
continue to face challenges related to water scarcity and pollution, the role of sanitary
engineering will remain vital in promoting sustainable practices and safeguarding public
health.
