Water Resources
This module provides a thorough grounding in the practical management of water resources within the overall context of resource usage, conservation and environmental protection.
This is achieved by considering the various water sources and their uses, water resources law and regulation, resource protection, abstraction management, resources planning, catchment management and water resource development.
It provides methods by which to quantify water resource requirements, yields and environmental impacts. It ensures the awareness and competencies in methodology for consideration of the specific issues in water resources management.
Summary of aims
This module builds on the understanding of water resources and the measures necessary for their management to balance user and environmental needs.
Its principal aims are:
- To provide a knowledge of the types of water resources and the influences on quality and quantity.
- To provide understanding of the issues affecting resource development, utilisation protection and abstraction control.
- To context the sustainable management of water resources within the wider aims of catchment management.
Anticipated learning outcomes
From a knowledge of:
- The sources of water and their use
- The planning of water resource development
- The measures to protect water resources
- The management of water abstraction
- The principles of catchment management
- The law and regulations governing water resources
Students at the end of the module should be able to
- Critically appraise the existing procedures for water resources management and suggest improvements.
- By the intelligent use of engineering and scientific principles, develop and undertake the critical evaluation of alternative proposals and designs for water resource development to solve demand or environmental problems.
- Confidently liaise with other professionals and water users on water resource allocation in matters and on measures to overcome short term resource restriction problems.
