National Diploma in Civil Engineering

Geology and Soil is a fundamental course unit in the National Diploma in Water and Sanitation Engineering. It introduces students to the geological processes that shape the Earth's surface and the formation, classification, and engineering properties of soils. The course provides knowledge required for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water supply and sanitation infrastructure.

Understanding geology and soil is essential because water and sanitation facilities—including boreholes, wells, dams, reservoirs, pipelines, treatment plants, septic tanks, soak pits, sewer systems, and drainage structures—are constructed within or on geological and soil materials. The characteristics of these materials influence groundwater occurrence, water movement, foundation stability, excavation, permeability, erosion, and the performance of sanitation systems.