A one-day local industrial visit to the Pillur Water Treatment Plant, Coimbatore, was organized on 29th January 2026 for the second year students of Department of Civil Engineering with the objective of providing practical exposure to large-scale water treatment processes and understanding their significance in urban water supply systems.

The visit commenced with an introductory briefing by the plant officials, who explained the importance of the Pillur Water Supply Scheme in meeting the drinking water requirements of Coimbatore city and surrounding regions. Students were introduced to the overall layout of the treatment plant and the stages involved in treating raw water sourced from the Bhavani River.

During the visit, students observed various treatment units including intake structures, aeration, coagulation and flocculation units, sedimentation tanks, filtration units, and disinfection processes. The functioning of rapid sand filters, chemical dosing methods, and chlorination techniques were clearly explained. Emphasis was also given to quality control measures, laboratory testing, and safety practices followed in the plant.

The interaction with plant engineers helped students understand real-time operational challenges such as fluctuation in raw water quality, demand management, and maintenance of treatment efficiency. The visit enabled students to correlate theoretical concepts learned in water supply engineering with practical field applications.

Overall, the local visit was highly informative and educational. It enhanced the students’ understanding of water treatment operations, sustainable water management practices, and the role of civil engineers in ensuring safe and reliable drinking water supply. The visit successfully met its learning objectives and proved to be a valuable experiential learning opportunity for the students.