Course description
Water chemistry principles are presented in a manner that relates to environmental applications. The course builds upon the student’s existing knowledge of basic chemical principles (e.g. bonding, nomenclature, reactions). This course includes aspects of the physical and chemical properties of water, water quality indicator parameters, concentration units, chemical equilibrium, chemical partitioning, oxidation-reduction reactions, acid/base reactions, and organic chemistry. These concepts will be applied to solving environmental engineering problems such as contaminant fate, chemical feed rates in water and waste-water treatment, treatment tank sizing, and mass balance calculations related to natural attenuation. An understanding of water and waste-water treatment processes will be developed in the classroom and by visiting local treatment plants (time permitting). Laboratory and field measurements of key water quality parameters will be conducted. The course will discuss governmental regulations pertaining to water analysis and treatment and will assist students in preparing to write the Provincial Water Quality Analyst and Operator In-Training exams.
Course details
Credit transfer
Have you taken this course or an equivalent course? Contact the Credit Transfer Office.
Registration dates
Not all courses are offered each term.
Winter 2026 registration is now open.Spring 2026 registration opens March 2, 2026.
Delivery options
In person: classes held in person on a campus/site in a classroom/lab/shop/studio for the course duration
Online - Asynchronous: 100% online delivery, no scheduled day or time course requirements with the instructor, assigned due dates
Online - Synchronous: 100% online delivery, scheduled day and time course requirements with the instructor, assigned due dates
Hybrid: any combination of in person, timetabled, on campus, online, and hyflex delivery