Civil Engineering Research: Optimization of Water Resource Systems

This report focuses on the optimization of water resource systems within the field of civil engineering. It begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of water resource management and the role of civil engineers in addressing water-related challenges. The report then presents a research question exploring the current gaps in literature regarding water resource plants. A comprehensive literature review follows, discussing various aspects of water resource management, including water quality, food safety, and the impact of urbanization. The review references multiple sources and figures to support its findings. The report identifies several research gaps, such as the lack of consideration for nutrient preservation in watersheds, the limited identification of public health impacts from water contamination, and the underutilization of IT and technology in water resource engineering. The conclusion emphasizes the need for further research to address these gaps and highlights the significance of environmental engineering and waste management in optimizing water resource systems. The report is a valuable resource for students and professionals seeking insights into this critical area of civil engineering.

CIVIL ENGINEERING
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION(S)
STUDENT NAME
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Table of contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Research Question......................................................................................................................3
Literature Review.......................................................................................................................4
Research Gap.............................................................................................................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................6
References..................................................................................................................................7

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CIVIL ENGINEERING
Optimisation in water resource system
Introduction
Creation, management and monitoring of infrastructure and resources are some of the few
tasks associated with civil engineering that requires civil engineers develop into efficient as
well as knowledgeable in managing the resources (Environmental Science Org., 2018).
Engineering for managing water resources is the main topic for this research as it has been
one of the civil engineering topics directly associated with life and future of society in many
regions and geographically weaker areas. Economics implicated with huge scale water
resource projects requires complex and thought out plans as they influence the overall growth
in those areas. Optimising the use of present tools facilitates possible decisions that are
involved in different stages of planning, designing and operation process of water resource
engineering (Lee, 1982).
Research Question
In larger water resource bodies, treatment in plant along with quality management and
augmentation of area can be identified whereas few others lacked them (Duckstein, n.d.).
This research paper will make a study of civil engineering in water resource plants to identify
present gap in literature. Getting answers to research questions like ‘How crucial are water

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issues?’ and ‘What is the future of water resource management?’ is the main scope of this
research paper which will be discussed after reviewing the present literature.
Literature Review
According to James R. Clapper, threats related to degraded and depleted groundwater has
threatened security of food which leads to social disruption and political instability in many
countries (Beek, 2005). When water becomes unavailable for cultivation, little agriculture is
seen and thus entire GDP of the country is hampered. On the other hand, need for water in
cities and rural areas throughout the year is also necessary for human being to survive
(TCEQ, 2017). The present needs for sustainable water resource that meets all the water
requirements in the main reason why scientists and engineers are constantly working upon
the research for securing water bodies. Although many projects have been started, yet
problems in them seem to be persistent because of the complexity in research predicament
(International Water Management Institute, 2018).
Challenges met by water resource plants and urbanised water sheds have also impacted the
entire water resource management where integrated research programme and study is being
made. These challenges can be classified under four categories: water quality, food safety,
optimising water for environment and providing groundwater to rural communities and
agricultural lands (C.Lotti, 2009). Shortage in supply of water in metropolitan areas is
growing in considerable state thereby putting enormous pressure on restricted water supply
bodies. Future agricultural instability is also under risk due to which many countries have
adopted various ways through which water can be preserved in systematic manner (Bogárd,
2015).

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Figure: Amount of water wasted and consumed (Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, n.d.).
According to a survey made by researchers as shown in above figure, under Water Pollution
Control Act and other ordinances treatment of waste water and its preservation was given
mush recognition. Releasing water to the public was done after treatment where large
quantity of waste water was segregated in order to meet the standards. This again shows the
need of scientific and engineering solution to minimise the wastage of available water. The
political stance of countries will never risk human life but considering scarcity of water in
future is also important (Asawa, 2008). As shown in the figure below, few of the Australian
regions have shown their concern and minimised wastage of water by recycling waste water.
Figure: Usage of water in Australia (Kim, 2018)

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Monitoring water resource plants is also an important area that requires consideration in
water resource engineering. Before constructing artificial water bodies, engineers requires to
undertake many steps like scheduling, comparing methods, sampling and sensing, data
measuring, collecting and recording analysis, etc. Before adapting any method, experiments
are been made to avoid degradation in systems and to prevent hampering of ecosystem
(Harikrishna, n.d.). Building of artificial water bodies like water reservoirs and estuaries can
be considered to be close to natural process of lake and ponds formation. Dams are also
constructed on outskirts of cities and in alignment with rivers to retain water at the times of
drought. Reservoirs are normally built where there is scarcity of natural lakes whereas dams
are built to protect scarcity in future (Beek, 2005).
According to the National Research Council, recommending initiative in water resource
management includes sustainable process where stakeholders and engaged to give time and
value for the improvement of the system. Various engineering programmes related to water
science has been initiated in Universities where best policies and practices are been promoted
by researchers and private sectors (USDA, n.d.). To benefit from water resource related
efforts is not easy as they require systematic formulation and measurable outcomes or else
adverse affect is predictable (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
2015).
Research Gap
After making a research on the topic there are few areas that requires consideration. Currently
we do not understand why systems are not taking into account preservation of nutrients in
water sheds. Removing essential nutrients from wetlands and lakes through water filtration

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processes have damaged many nutrient values from it and hampered the livestock in
surrounding areas of reservoirs. Secondly, it is not clear why public health impacts are not
been identified through water contamination within food chain. These include presence of
pesticides and other pathogens in irrigation water. Third gap identified is that why is IT and
technology not given much importance in water resource engineering where complex issues
are recognised. Complex issue can be in the form of integrated data and systems information
about land and area mapping etc. (Gold, 2013).
Conclusion
Conclusion of the research suggests making further research on the topic and finding out the
reasons behind the identified research gap. Analysing a topic related to civil engineering, the
literature review made on optimising water resource system requires further research.
Techniques and processes mentioned in the literature gives an overview of the present
scenario of water resource engineering. Management of large water bodies along with
development of surrounding areas of water resources are few regions which have been
measured significantly by researchers in past few decades. In recent years environmental
engineering has also undoubtedly impacted water maintenance system and therefore shall be
studied in alignment with present research. Connecting water pollution control system with
water waste management is also necessary in literature for optimising water resource system.

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References
Asawa, G.L., 2008. Irrigation and Water Resource Engineering. [Online] Available at:
https://fcaib.edu.ng/books/Engineering/Irrigation%20and%20Water%20Resources%20%20-
%20G.L.%20Asawa.pdf [Accessed 13 April 2018].
Beek, D.P.E.V., 2005. Water Resources Systems Planning and Management. [Online]
Available at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001434/143430e.pdf [Accessed 13 April
2018].
Bogárd, B.M.F.a.J.J., 2015. Role of engineering in sustainable water management. [Online]
Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40322-014-0027-7 [Accessed 13
April 2018].
C.Lotti, 2009. Water Engineering. [Online] Available at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02508068008685882?journalCode=rwin20
[Accessed 13 April 2018].
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, n.d. Prevention of Air, Water and Soil Pollution. [Online]
Available at: https://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english/csr/environment/pollution_control.html
[Accessed 13 April 2018].
Duckstein, L., n.d. WATER RESOURCES SYSTEMS ANALYSIS. [Online] Available at:
https://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/C07/E2-16-03-01.pdf [Accessed 13 April 2018].
Environmental Science Org., 2018. What is a Water Resource Engineer? [Online] Available
at: https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/water-resource-engineer [Accessed 13 April
2018].

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Gold, 2013. Advancing water resource management in agricultural, rural, and urbanizing
watersheds: Why land-grant universities matter. [Online] Available at:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e42b/1922fc3f4604d261b3fbb41f694581270fbb.pdf
[Accessed 13 April 2018].
Harikrishna, B.D.a., n.d. Optimization Applications in Water Resources Systems Engineering.
[Online] Available at:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a246/eb6ad915e4568a8e56609d44e1d6e65e3c01.pdf
[Accessed 13 April 2018].
International Water Management Institute, 2018. At the World Water Forum 2018. [Online]
Available at: http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/ [Accessed 13 April 2018].
Kim, L., 2018. Cape Town running out of water in mega-drought. [Online] Available at:
http://clicklancashire.com/2018/02/07/cape-town-running-out-of-water-in-mega-drought.html
[Accessed 13 April 2018].
Lee, G.N.a.E.S., 1982. Stochastic modelling and optimization of water resources systems.
[Online] Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0270025582900173
[Accessed 13 April 2018].
TCEQ, 2017. Water Quality Program Successes. [Online] Available at:
https://www.tceq.texas.gov/waterquality/watersuccess/waterqualitysuccess [Accessed 13
April 2018].
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2015. Integrated Water
Resources Management (IWRM). [Online] Available at:
http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/iwrm.shtml [Accessed 13 April 2018].

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USDA, n.d. Water Management. [Online] Available at:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/manage/ [Accessed 13 April
2018].