Review of Water Science and Technology: An Introduction, 4th Edition by Nick Gray

In Western countries, in particular, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe, there is legislation in place that provides a management structure to ensure the protection of the water quality of lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and subsurface waters. This, of course, cannot be said about developing countries where even if there is legislation, implementation is a huge problem, but there is growing awareness there. Water quality management requires integration of physical, chemical, and biological sciences with environmental and water engineering, resulting in an interdisciplinary field appropriately called water science and technology. This interdisciplinary field is rapidly developing. The book by Gray is precisely on this topic. This is a large volume spreading over 21 chapters, mainly focusing on fresh water quality, pollution, and management; treatment, quality, and distribution of drinking water; and treatment and disposal of wastewater.

The subject matter of the book is divided into five parts. The first part, consisting of five chapters, deals with water resources and ecology. The first chapter presents surface and ground water, water demand, peak water, and catchment. The second chapter deals with factors that determine the distribution of animals and plants in freshwater, the third chapter with basic ecosystems, the fourth chapter with microorganisms in pollution control, and the fifth chapter with water pollution. These four chapters provide an excellent discussion of various aspects of ecology as they relate to water science. The quality of discussion reflects the author’s rich experience.

Part II is comprised of three chapters and treats water quality management and assessment. Beginning with a good discussion of water basin management including management programs for catchment and rivers, water framework directive, and flood control and diffuse pollution in Chapter 6, it goes on to discuss water quality and regulation in Chapter 7 and water quality assessment in Chapter 8. These three chapters provide a good perspective on water quality management. This part is a transition from science to technology.

Eight chapters constitute the subject matter of Part III focusing on pollution control. Starting with an introduction to the nature of wastewater in Chapter 9, the discussion moves to the introduction of wastewater treatment in Chapter 10, activated sludge in Chapter 11, fixed film systems in Chapter 12, natural treatment systems in Chapter 13, anaerobic processes in Chapter 14, sludge treatment disposal in Chapter 15, and on-site and small-scale treatment systems in Chapter 16. This part is an excellent treatment of pollution technologies.

Part IV, comprising four chapters, deals with drinking water treatment and supply. Chapter 17 discusses unit processes of water treatment and distribution, Chapter 18 discusses physicochemical treatment processes, Chapter 19 discusses drinking water contamination, and Chapter 20 discusses pathogens and their removal. The discussion in each chapter is well presented. The last part, Part V, is on sustainability consisting of only one chapter that deals with sustainability principles in water management. It presents a global perspective and discusses climate change, sustainability, and managing water supplies.

This is an excellent book: well organized and rich in treatment from both theoretical and applied perspectives. The author’s rich experience of three decades is clearly reflected in the chapters. It will be an excellent textbook or reference book for both senior undergraduate students and beginning graduate students. Faculty and practitioners will also find the book to be of great value.