What is environmental engineering ?
Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the environment , provide healthful water , air and land for human habitation and other organisms , and investigate the possibilities for remediation of polluted places.
As long as people recognized that their health and well – being were related to the quality of their environment , they applied thoughtful principles to improve its quality. The Romans constructed aqueducts to prevent drought and create a clean healthful water supply for the metropolis of Rome. Bavaria in the 15th century created laws restricting the development and degradation of alpine country that contained the region’s water supply. Modern environmental engineering began in London in the middle of the 19th century when it was realized that proper sewerage could reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases such as cholera or typhoid. The introduction of treatment of drinking and sewage in industrialized countries reduced waterborne diseases from leading causes of death to rarities.
These days engineers and scientists assess the impacts of proposed projects on
environmental Conditions. They evaluate if there are likely to be any adverse impacts on
water quality, air quality, Flora and fauna , noise impacts , visual impacts ,
etc. If impacts are expected, they then develop mitigation measures to prevent such
impacts. Engineers and scientists also work to secure water supplies for potable and
agricultural use. Water is treated to achieve water quality objectives for its end users. Most urban and many rural areas no longer discharge human waste directly to the land through outhouses or septic tanks, but rather deposit such waste into water and convey if from households by means of sewer systems.