Water Quality Management & Monitoring

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT & MONITORING

COURSE BACKGROUND

Clean and safe water is fundamental to public health, environmental integrity, and economic prosperity. However, water quality worldwide is increasingly threatened by various forms of pollution, including untreated wastewater discharge, agricultural runoff, industrial effluents, and emerging contaminants. In many parts of East Africa, including Kenya, these challenges are exacerbated by rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and limited enforcement of environmental regulations. The degradation of water quality leads to widespread waterborne diseases, harms aquatic ecosystems, and undermines efforts towards sustainable development. Effective water quality management and robust monitoring are therefore non-negotiable for safeguarding human health, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring the long-term availability of usable water resources.

ECAS Institute offers this “Water Quality Management & Monitoring” course to equip professionals, policymakers, public health officials, environmental practitioners, and industrial managers with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to assess, manage, and monitor water quality effectively. This program will provide a comprehensive understanding of water quality parameters, pollution sources, monitoring techniques, treatment technologies, and regulatory frameworks, enabling participants to implement strategies that protect and improve water quality across various contexts.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

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

Identify and analyze key physical, chemical, and biological parameters used in water quality assessment.
Understand major sources and types of water pollution and their impacts on human health and ecosystems.
Apply various water quality monitoring techniques, including sampling, laboratory analysis, and field measurements.
Evaluate and select appropriate water and wastewater treatment technologies to meet specific quality standards.
Interpret national and international water quality guidelines and standards (e.g., WHO, KEBS regulations in Kenya).
Develop and implement comprehensive water quality management plans for different water bodies and uses.
Utilize data analysis and reporting tools for effective water quality decision-making and communication.
Understand the legal, institutional, and socio-economic aspects of water quality governance.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course will provide you with a practical and in-depth understanding of water quality management and monitoring, empowering you to protect this vital resource. You will learn to:

Conduct accurate water quality assessments, from selecting appropriate parameters to interpreting results.
Pinpoint pollution hotspots and identify root causes of water quality degradation in various environments (rivers, lakes, groundwater, urban settings).
Master practical skills in water sampling, field testing, and basic laboratory procedures.
Evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment processes for drinking water purification and wastewater remediation.
Design and implement water quality monitoring programs that are scientifically sound and cost-effective.
Comply with relevant water quality regulations and standards, and contribute to policy improvements.
Communicate water quality data and risks effectively to stakeholders, including the public and decision-makers.
Explore emerging technologies in water quality monitoring and treatment, such as smart sensors and advanced purification methods.
Develop integrated approaches to pollution prevention and control.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed to provide both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical skills in water quality management and monitoring. The program will incorporate interactive lectures, practical demonstrations, laboratory visits (where feasible), case studies (including regional examples of water quality challenges and successes in East Africa), group exercises, and discussions. Participants will gain experience in using various monitoring equipment and interpreting analytical results. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings and learning activities, will be communicated upon registration.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is essential for a wide range of professionals and practitioners involved in ensuring water quality and public health. It is particularly beneficial for:

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Engineers
Environmental Health Officers and Public Health Officials
Laboratory Technicians involved in water analysis
Environmental Scientists and Consultants
Hydrologists and Water Resource Managers
Government Regulators and Policymakers from environment, water, and health ministries.
Industrial Environmental Managers responsible for effluent discharge.
NGO and Community-Based Organization Staff working on WASH initiatives.
Researchers and Academics in water and environmental quality.
Agricultural Extension Officers dealing with water runoff.

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured to provide a comprehensive and practical understanding of water quality management and monitoring:

No	Module	Details
1.	Fundamentals of Water Quality and Pollution	This module introduces the basic concepts of water quality, its importance, and the various ways it can be compromised by human activities and natural processes. Key Topics: Importance of water quality for human health, ecosystems, and economy Water quality parameters: Physical (temperature, turbidity, solids), Chemical (pH, DO, BOD, COD, nutrients, heavy metals, emerging contaminants), Biological (coliforms, pathogens) Sources of water pollution: Point vs. non-point sources, domestic sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, solid waste Impacts of water pollution on aquatic life and human health (waterborne diseases)
2.	Module 2: Water Quality Monitoring Planning and Design	This module covers the essential steps in designing and implementing effective water quality monitoring programs to generate reliable data for decision-making. Key Topics: Objectives of water quality monitoring programs Designing a monitoring network: Site selection, sampling frequency and duration Sampling methods and techniques for different water sources (rivers, lakes, groundwater, wastewater) Sample preservation, transportation, and chain of custody Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) in water quality monitoring
3.	Water Quality Analysis: Field and Laboratory Techniques	This module provides practical knowledge of both on-site and laboratory methods for analyzing key water quality parameters. Key Topics: Field water quality testing equipment and kits (pH meters, DO meters, turbidity meters) Introduction to basic laboratory analytical techniques (spectrophotometry, titration, chromatography) Microbiological analysis: Detection of fecal indicators (Coliforms, E. coli) Interpretation of laboratory results and data validation Safety protocols in water quality testing.
4.	Drinking Water Treatment Technologies	This module explores the various processes involved in treating raw water to make it safe for human consumption, from conventional methods to advanced purification. Key Topics: Overview of conventional drinking water treatment processes: Coagulation, Flocculation, Sedimentation, Filtration Disinfection methods: Chlorination, UV radiation, Ozonation Advanced treatment processes: Membrane filtration (UF, NF, RO), Activated Carbon adsorption Small-scale and household water treatment technologies (e.g., filters, solar disinfection) Water safety plans and risk-based approaches to drinking water quality.
5.	Wastewater Management and Treatment	This module covers the principles and technologies used to collect, treat, and safely discharge or reuse wastewater from domestic, industrial, and agricultural sources. Key Topics: Wastewater characteristics and types (domestic, industrial, agricultural) Primary wastewater treatment: Screening, Grit removal, Sedimentation Secondary wastewater treatment: Activated sludge process, Trickling filters, Lagoons, Constructed wetlands Tertiary and advanced wastewater treatment for nutrient removal and specific contaminants Wastewater reuse and recycling applications (e.g., irrigation, industrial processes, groundwater recharge) Decentralized wastewater treatment systems.
6.	Water Quality Standards, Regulations, and Governance	This module examines the legal, policy, and institutional frameworks that govern water quality, ensuring compliance and effective management. Key Topics: National and international water quality standards and guidelines (e.g., WHO guidelines, Kenya’s EMCA Water Quality Regulations) Pollution control policies and regulatory mechanisms (e.g., permits, enforcement) Institutional roles and responsibilities in water quality management (government agencies, regulators, utilities) Economic instruments for pollution control (e.g., fines, incentives) Public participation and community involvement in water quality protection.
7.	Module 7: Data Management, Reporting, and Emerging Issues in Water Quality	This module focuses on leveraging data for informed decision-making and addressing new challenges in water quality management. Key Topics: Water quality data management systems and databases Statistical analysis and interpretation of water quality data Reporting and communication of water quality information to stakeholders Emerging contaminants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, microplastics) and their management Impact of climate change on water quality Case studies of successful water quality management programs and lessons learned (e.g., addressing pollution in Lake Victoria basin, urban water quality improvements in Nairobi).

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.