Sustainable Water Management

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT

COURSE BACKGROUND

The accelerating impacts of climate change, persistent population growth, burgeoning industrial demands, and expanding agricultural needs are intensifying pressure on global freshwater resources. In regions like Kenya and the wider East African community, these pressures are compounded by unpredictable rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and increasing instances of extreme weather events. While Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) provides a holistic framework, the imperative now is to ensure that water management practices are truly sustainable – meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This requires a deep understanding of ecological limits, technological innovations, equitable governance, and resilient strategies. Focusing on sustainability ensures that water is not only available and accessible but also managed in a way that preserves ecosystem health, mitigates climate risks, and fosters long-term water security.

ECAS Institute offers this “Sustainable Water Management” course to equip professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and practitioners with the advanced knowledge and practical tools to design, implement, and evaluate water management strategies that are environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable in the long run. This program moves beyond basic resource management to embed sustainability principles at every level of water governance and utilization.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Articulate the core principles of sustainable water management, including intergenerational equity, ecological integrity, and efficient resource use.
Analyze the complex interplay of environmental, social, and economic factors influencing water sustainability.
Develop and implement water conservation and demand management strategies across various sectors (urban, agricultural, industrial).
Evaluate and apply innovative technologies and nature-based solutions for sustainable water supply, quality improvement, and wastewater management.
Design climate-resilient water management plans that enhance adaptation to and mitigation of climate change impacts.
Understand and strengthen governance and policy frameworks that support long-term water sustainability and equitable access.
Foster stakeholder collaboration and community engagement for participatory and sustainable water initiatives.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course will provide you with a comprehensive and forward-looking perspective on managing water resources sustainably, enabling you to contribute to resilient and water-secure communities. You will learn to:

Integrate sustainability principles into water policy, planning, and project implementation.
Assess water footprints and vulnerabilities within different systems and communities.
Implement practical solutions for reducing water loss, improving water-use efficiency, and promoting water recycling and reuse.
Evaluate and select appropriate sustainable water technologies, from advanced treatment to smart monitoring systems.
Incorporate climate change projections and adaptation strategies into water resource planning to build resilience against droughts and floods.
Navigate the complexities of water economics and financing for sustainable infrastructure and services.
Engage diverse stakeholders including local communities, government bodies, and private sector entities, in co-creating sustainable water solutions.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of sustainable water management interventions.
Leverage data and digital tools for informed, sustainable water decision-making.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed for in-depth engagement with the principles and practices of sustainable water management. The program will feature a dynamic blend of expert-led lectures, interactive workshops, detailed case studies (including regional and international best practices in sustainable water management), group projects, and practical exercises. Emphasis will be placed on applying learned concepts to real-world challenges, potentially including scenario planning for future water security. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings and learning activities, will be communicated upon registration.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is designed for professionals and decision-makers committed to ensuring the long-term viability and equitable access to water resources. It is particularly beneficial for:

Water Utilities Managers and Engineers
Environmental Regulators and Consultants
Urban Planners and Developers
Agricultural Water Managers and Extension Officers
Government Officials from water, environment, planning, and finance ministries.
NGO and Development Agency Staff working on WASH, climate resilience, or natural resource management.
Sustainability Officers in private sector companies.
Academics and Researchers in water and environmental sciences.
Community Leaders and Water User Association Representatives interested in local water security.

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured to provide a comprehensive and integrated understanding of sustainable water management:

No	Module	Details
1.	Foundations of Sustainable Water Management	This module establishes the core philosophy and principles underpinning sustainable water management, differentiating it from conventional approaches and setting the stage for holistic understanding. Key Topics: Definition and historical evolution of sustainable water management Core principles: Intergenerational equity, ecological integrity, economic efficiency, social equity The nexus of water, energy, food, and ecosystems in a sustainability context Global water challenges and their implications for sustainability (e.g., scarcity, pollution, climate change) Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and its targets
2.	Water Resources Assessment and Monitoring for Sustainability	This module focuses on how to effectively assess the quantity and quality of water resources, emphasizing data-driven approaches essential for sustainable planning and decision-making. Key Topics: Hydrological processes and water balance in a changing climate Groundwater and surface water interactions and sustainable yield Water quality parameters, pollution sources, and ecological health indicators Tools for water monitoring: Remote sensing, GIS, sensor networks, real-time data Water accounting and auditing for sustainable resource use
3.	Demand Management and Water Conservation Strategies	This module explores various strategies and techniques aimed at reducing water consumption and improving efficiency across different sectors to ensure long-term availability. Key Topics: Principles of water demand management and conservation Water-efficient technologies and practices in urban, industrial, and agricultural settings Behavioral change campaigns and public awareness initiatives Water pricing and economic incentives for conservation Reducing non-revenue water (leakage control, efficient distribution systems)
4.	Sustainable Water Supply and Quality Solutions	This module delves into innovative and environmentally sound approaches for augmenting water supply and ensuring high water quality for various uses. Key Topics: Rainwater harvesting systems (small to large scale) Wastewater treatment technologies for reuse and recycling (greywater, blackwater) Desalination technologies (with sustainability considerations) Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and groundwater sustainability Nature-based solutions for water quality improvement and flood management (e.g., wetlands, riparian zone restoration)
5.	Climate Resilience and Adaptive Water Management	This module addresses the critical need to integrate climate change considerations into water management for building resilient water systems capable of adapting to future uncertainties. Key Topics: Impacts of climate change on water availability and extreme events (droughts, floods) Vulnerability and risk assessment for water infrastructure and communities Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in the water sector Developing climate-resilient water infrastructure and planning Early warning systems and disaster risk reduction in water management
6.	Governance, Policy, and Financing for Sustainable Water Management	This module examines the institutional, legal, and financial mechanisms essential for effective and equitable governance of sustainable water resources. Key Topics: Principles of good water governance: Transparency, accountability, participation Legal and regulatory frameworks for sustainable water use and pollution control Institutional arrangements: Roles of government, private sector, civil society Water economics, financing mechanisms, and investment for sustainable water infrastructure Stakeholder engagement, participatory decision-making, and conflict resolution in WRM
7.	Implementation and Case Studies in Sustainable Water Management	This module brings together the learned concepts through practical application and analysis of successful (and challenging) sustainable water management initiatives from around the world, with a focus on African contexts. Key Topics: Developing a sustainable water management plan for a specific context Monitoring and evaluation of sustainability indicators Innovative financing models and public-private partnerships Community-led sustainable water initiatives Case studies of successful sustainable water management projects (e.g., urban water utility improvements, agricultural water efficiency programs, basin-level sustainability initiatives in Kenya/East Africa).

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.