The course offers an introduction to the basics of water resources analysis and management covering the topics of water demand vs availability, water exploitation and reservoir design, aquatic physics, water quality and pollution, water conservation and remediation in rivers, lakes and aquifers, sustainable water use.
Learning objective
Introduction to the basics of sustainable water resources management based on relevant hydrological processes, management approaches and mathematical models.
Content
Introduction to water management, current situation: water uses, conflicts on water resources, impact of global change. Water supply vs water demand management. Green water, virtual water. Introduction to concepts of participatory approach in WRM. Estimation of urban, industrial and agricultural water needs. Estimation of agricultural water needs. Simple models of annual and seasonal water yield. Introduction to Time Series Analysis and Stochastic Modelling. Linear Stochastic Models. Thomas Fiering Model. Droughts: definition, identification, quantitative analysis, impact and mitigation. Run of river water abstraction. Environmental Flows. Reservoir design: deterministic and probabilistic methods. Simulation technique. Optimal water allocation: linear programming. River and basin morphology and interaction with infrastructures. Environmental Impact Assessment of water resources projects. Economic and reliability analysis.
Example of application of modelling techniques are made available on selected topics. Four computer-based class exercises on selected topics are offered and guided through teaching assistants.
Knowledge from the course “Hydrology” (3rd semester Environmental Engineering) and about basic statistics and probability theory is a prerequisite (not formal).
Competencies
Subject-specific Competencies
Concepts and Theories
assessed
Techniques and Technologies
assessed
Method-specific Competencies
Analytical Competencies
assessed
Decision-making
assessed
Problem-solving
assessed
Personal Competencies
Creative Thinking
assessed
Critical Thinking
assessed
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course