Sunday, October 16, 2011

Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering was formerly known as Sanitation Engineering and was a subdivision of Civil Engineering. As many new engineering fields, it developed into main engineering stream as its demand and complexity increased. Today it is an vital and interdisciplinary field incorporating many areas such as, Chemistry, Fluid mechanics, Hydrology, Geology and Ecology. Environmental Engineering is mainly concerned with improving public health while protecting nature.
While traditional Engineering focuses on merely utilizing resources and improving living conditions of humans, environmental engineering incorporates the conservation of nature and promoting the well being of humans and other living species in the environment as well. This approach brings out sustainability and overall development.
The key areas of environmental engineering could be identified as,
1. Providing palatable and safe public water supplies in adequate amounts.
2. Control and implement procedures to minimize water soil atmospheric and noise pollution.
3. Recycling waste where possible and proper treatment and disposal of solid and liquid wastes.
4. Implementing procedures to minimize the overall footprint.
5. Incorporating cleaner production mechanisms to protect the environment and to increase sustainability and efficiency of industries.
Environmental engineering is still an emerging field in developing countries and needs to be given immediate consideration because the efficient use and management of the earth's resources will aid development and help to sustain it.

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