Subject Datasheet
Completion requirements
Subject Datasheet
Download PDFI. Subject Specification
1. Basic Data
1.1 Title
Design and Operation of Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies
1.2 Code
BMEEOVKMSFIN03-00
1.3 Type
Module with associated contact hours
1.4 Contact hours
| Type | Hours/week / (days) |
| Lecture | 1 |
| Seminar | 1 |
1.5 Evaluation
Exam
1.6 Credits
4
1.7 Coordinator
| name | Dr. Laky Dóra |
| academic rank | Associate professor |
| laky.dora@emk.bme.hu |
1.8 Department
Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering
1.9 Website
1.10 Language of instruction
hungarian
1.11 Curriculum requirements
Compulsory in the Water and Hydro-Environmental Engineering (MSc) programme
1.12 Prerequisites
1.13 Effective date
1 September 2025
2. Objectives and learning outcomes
2.1 Objectives
The aim of the course is to present the complex processes occurring in drinking water and wastewater treatment technologies and to provide practical knowledge in the fields of design and operation. During the semester, practical sessions on operation and design will also be held.
Students will gain insight into technological processes suitable for drinking water treatment, particularly for deep water sources, with a special focus on the removal of iron, manganese, arsenic, and ammonium ions.
The course also covers regulatory changes and their impact on the design and operation of water treatment technologies.
Various wastewater treatment technologies will be explored for large, medium, and small wastewater treatment plants. Topics include activated sludge processes, biofilm-based methods, case studies, sludge treatment, biogas utilization, and the energy balance of wastewater treatment plants.
2.2 Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student:
A. Knowledge
1.Understands the key considerations and solutions involved in designing drinking water treatment plants for raw water originated from deep aquifers, considering the actual changes in drinking water regulations.
2.Has practical knowledge about the operation and maintenance of drinking water treatment facilities that utilize specific technologies.
3.Possesses a solid understanding of the fundamental design principles associated with wastewater treatment plants employing particular treatment methods.
4.Is familiar with the operational aspects and management practices required for wastewater treatment plants using specialized technologies.
5.Has knowledge about the treatment processes applied in large-scale wastewater treatment facilities.
6. Has knowledge about the treatment processes applied in medium-sized wastewater treatment plants.
7.Has knowledge about the treatment processes applied in small-scale wastewater treatment facilities.
8.Is aware of the various sludge management options available within wastewater treatment plants, along with the fundamental principles and conditions necessary for biogas utilization.
9.Comprehends the foundational concepts of energy balance in wastewater treatment plants.
B. Skills
1.Develops and assembles complex technological schemes for drinking water treatment systems.
2.Can design appropriate treatment process chains based on the size and capacity of a wastewater treatment plant.
3.Identifies major design flaws in wastewater treatment plants utilizing specific technologies and is capable of proposing solutions.
4.Recognizes critical design errors in drinking water treatment plants employing given technologies and can recommend corrective measures.
5.Understands the key operational issues associated with drinking water treatment facilities using specific technologies and can suggest improvements.
6.Evaluates common operational challenges in wastewater treatment plants that utilize particular technologies and is able to propose solutions.
C. Attitudes
1. Engages in collaboration with instructors and peers to expand their knowledge base.
2. Actively seeks to deepen their understanding by continuously acquiring new information, including consulting online resources beyond mandatory course materials.
3. Strives for clarity and precision in verbal communication, while maintaining a structured, high-quality approach to written documentation that aligns with engineering industry standards.
D. Autonomy and Responsibility
1.Applies a system-oriented approach in their thinking.
Independently applies engineering principles – Takes responsibility for designing homework regarding optimizing water and wastewater treatment processes while given environmental and regulatory constraints.
2.Takes initiative in learning and preparation – Independently studies lecture materials, prepares for exams, and completes design assignments on time.
3.Engages in teamwork and discussion – Actively participates in class discussions and group work while respecting different viewpoints and contributing to collaborative problem-solving.
4.Ensures academic integrity and professional responsibility – Adheres to ethical standards in coursework, including proper citation of sources and honest reporting of results in assignments and exams.
2.3 Methods
Lectures with theoretical knowledge; communication in writing and speaking. Practical classes, joint discussion of technological processes.
2.4 Course outline
1. Pollutants in drinking water
2. Block diagrams of drinking water purification technologies
3. Complex drinking water treatment technological schemes
4. Modification of drinking water treatment technologies in order to comply with new drinking water legislation
5. Practice work related to planning and operation of drinking water treatment plants I.
6. Practice work related to planning and operation of drinking water treatment plants II.
7. Basic knowledge of wastewater treatment
8. Block diagrams of wastewater treatment plants, activated sludge and biofilm wastewater treatment technologies
9. Sludge treatment, biogas utilization
10. Energy balance of wastewater treatment plants
11. Design process of wastewater treatment plants
12. Design and reconstruction of technological units at wastewater treatment plants – technological and flow considerations
13. Practice work related to planning and operation of wastewater treatment plants I.
14. Practice work related to planning and operation of wastewater treatment plants II.
The above programme is tentative and subject to changes due to calendar variations and other reasons specific to the actual semester. Consult the effective detailed course schedule of the course on the subject website.
The above programme is tentative and subject to changes due to calendar variations and other reasons specific to the actual semester. Consult the effective detailed course schedule of the course on the subject website.
2.5 Study materials
Henze M., Harremoes P., Cour Jansen J. la, Arvin E. (2002) Wastewater Treatment – Biological and Chemical Processes (Springer)
Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery 5th Edition
by Inc. Metcalf & Eddy (Author), George Tchobanoglous (Author), H. David Stensel (Author),
2.6 Other information
Attendance at classes is mandatory. A student who misses more than 30% of the classes will not earn the course credits.
2.7 Consultation
Contact the lecturers via e-mail (Tamás Koncsos: koncsos.tamas@emk.bme.hu; Dóra Laky: laky.dora@emk.bme.hu)
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2025/2026 semester II
II. Subject requirements
Assessment and evaluation of the learning outcomes
3.1 General rules
The assessment of the learning outcomes specified in section 2.2. is based on written and oral performance evaluations conducted during the exam period. During the exam, students will prepare written answers to two questions during the preparation time—one related to drinking water treatment and one related to wastewater treatment. This is followed by an oral examination. To pass the exam, students must achieve at least a satisfactory level in both the drinking water and wastewater treatment topics.
3.2 Assessment methods
| Assessment Name (Type) | Code | Assessed Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Written and oral exam (summative performance assessment) | FE | A.1-A.9; B.1-B.6; C.1-C.3; D.1-D.4 |
The dates of deadlines of assignments/homework can be found in the detailed course schedule on the subject’s website.
3.3 Evaluation system
| Code | Weight |
|---|---|
| FE | 100% |
| Total | 100% |
3.4 Requirements and validity of signature
The requirement for obtaining the signature is attendance at a minimum of 70% of the classes.
3.5 Grading system
| Grade | Score (P) |
|---|---|
| excellent (5) | 90≤P |
| good (4) | 80≤P<90% |
| satisfactory (3) | 65≤P<80% |
| pass (2) | 50≤P<65% |
| fail (1) | P<50% |
3.6 Retake and repeat
In the case of a failed exam, a retake is possible in accordance with the Academic and Examination Regulations (TVSZ).
3.7 Estimated workload
| Activity | Hours/Semester |
|---|---|
| Participation in contact classes | 14*2=28 |
| Time dedicated to home study | 60 |
| Preparation for the exam | 32 |
3.8 Effective date
1 September 2025
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2025/2026 semester II