Urban Water Management and Planning

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING

COURSE BACKGROUND

Rapid urbanization is a defining global trend, with cities becoming major hubs of population growth and economic activity. This growth places immense pressure on urban water systems, challenging their capacity to provide reliable, safe, and affordable water and sanitation services, while also managing stormwater and protecting the aquatic environment. In East Africa, cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kigali are experiencing unprecedented expansion, leading to strained water infrastructure, high rates of non-revenue water, inadequate sanitation coverage (especially in informal settlements), and increased vulnerability to climate-related hazards such as floods and droughts. Conventional, fragmented approaches to urban water management are often insufficient to address these complex, interconnected challenges. A holistic, integrated approach to urban water management and strategic planning is critical to build sustainable, resilient, and livable cities.

ECAS Institute offers this “Urban Water Management and Planning” course to equip urban planners, engineers, utility managers, local government officials, public health professionals, and development practitioners with the essential knowledge and practical skills to design, implement, and manage integrated urban water systems. This program will cover the entire urban water cycle, from source to tap and back to the environment, incorporating principles of sustainability, resilience, and equitable access.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

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

1. Understand the principles of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) and its application in diverse urban contexts.
2. Characterize the challenges and opportunities in urban water supply, wastewater management, and stormwater drainage.
3. Develop strategies for sustainable urban water supply, including source diversification, treatment, and efficient distribution.
4. Design and manage effective wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse systems, including fecal sludge management in informal settings.
5. Implement stormwater management solutions that prevent flooding, enhance urban green spaces, and improve water quality.
6. Apply planning tools and technologies (e.g., GIS, smart water systems) for optimized urban water infrastructure and operations.
7. Analyze the governance, policy, and financial mechanisms essential for sustainable urban water services.
8. Formulate climate-resilient urban water plans that address the impacts of extreme weather events.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course will provide you with a comprehensive and practical understanding of how to plan and manage urban water systems for sustainability and resilience. You will learn to:

• Assess urban water demand and project future water needs under various growth scenarios.
• Evaluate different water sources (surface water, groundwater, rainwater harvesting, recycled water) for urban supply.
• Identify and implement strategies to reduce non-revenue water (leakage, illegal connections).
• Select appropriate wastewater treatment technologies and explore options for water and nutrient recovery.
• Develop comprehensive urban drainage plans, integrating green infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) approaches.
• Design and manage water infrastructure projects, considering lifecycle costs and environmental impacts.
• Utilize data and smart technologies for real-time monitoring, leak detection, and network optimization.
• Address water and sanitation challenges in informal settlements, proposing context-specific, inclusive solutions.
• Navigate the regulatory and policy landscape governing urban water services (e.g., WASREB regulations in Kenya).
• Develop strategies for financing urban water infrastructure and ensuring affordable services for all.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed for in-depth learning of urban water management and planning principles and practices. The program will incorporate a blend of expert-led lectures, interactive discussions, practical problem-solving exercises, case studies (including examples from rapidly urbanizing cities in East Africa like Nairobi and Mombasa, highlighting their specific challenges and innovative solutions), and potentially virtual or physical tours of urban water infrastructure (where feasible). Participants will engage with real-world scenarios to develop practical solutions for sustainable urban water systems. 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 involved in urban development, infrastructure, environmental management, and public service delivery. It is particularly beneficial for:

• Urban Planners and Architects
• Civil and Environmental Engineers specializing in water and sanitation.
• Water Utility Managers and Operators
• Local Government Officials responsible for urban services, planning, and public works.
• Public Health Officers and Sanitarians
• Environmental Managers and Consultants
• Project Managers involved in urban infrastructure development.
• NGO and Development Agency Staff working on urban WASH initiatives.
• Researchers and Academics in urban studies, water resources, and civil engineering.
• Private Sector Representatives in urban development and water technology.

TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured to provide a comprehensive and practical understanding of urban water management and planning:

No	Module	Details
1.	Introduction to Urban Water Challenges and Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM)	This module sets the stage by defining the unique water challenges faced by urban areas, particularly in rapidly growing cities, and introduces the holistic concept of IUWM. Key Topics: Drivers of urban water stress: Population growth, climate change, industrialization, aging infrastructure. Urban water cycle components: Water supply, wastewater, stormwater, groundwater interaction. Concept of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) and its benefits (sustainability, resilience, efficiency). The human right to water and sanitation in urban contexts. Challenges in informal settlements: Access, quality, and management.
2.	Urban Water Supply Planning and Management	This module focuses on ensuring a reliable, safe, and efficient supply of water to urban populations, from source to consumer. Key Topics: Water sources for urban areas: Surface water, groundwater, inter-basin transfers, non-conventional sources (desalination, rainwater harvesting). Urban water demand assessment and forecasting. Water treatment technologies for potable supply. Water distribution network design, operation, and maintenance. Non-Revenue Water (NRW) management: Leakage detection and control, illegal connections. Water quality monitoring and safety plans in urban settings.
3.	Urban Wastewater and Fecal Sludge Management	This module covers the collection, treatment, and disposal/reuse of wastewater, addressing both sewered and non-sewered sanitation solutions in urban areas. Key Topics: Wastewater generation and characteristics in urban areas. Sewerage systems: Design, operation, and maintenance of conventional and decentralized networks. Wastewater treatment technologies: Primary, secondary, tertiary, and advanced treatment for urban effluents. Wastewater reuse applications in cities (irrigation, industrial, urban landscaping). Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) in unsewered areas: Collection, transport, treatment, and disposal/reuse. Resource recovery from wastewater (nutrients, energy).
4.	Urban Stormwater Management and Flood Resilience	This module focuses on managing urban runoff to prevent flooding, reduce pollution, and integrate stormwater into the urban landscape. Key Topics: Urban hydrology and impact of impervious surfaces. Urban flooding causes and types (pluvial, fluvial). Traditional stormwater drainage systems vs. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) / Low Impact Development (LID). Green infrastructure solutions: Rain gardens, permeable pavements, green roofs, urban wetlands. Flood risk assessment and mapping in urban areas. Early warning systems and emergency preparedness for urban floods.
5.	Planning Tools and Technologies for Urban Water	This module introduces modern tools and technologies that enhance efficiency, monitoring, and decision-making in urban water management. Key Topics: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for urban water asset management, mapping, and planning. Hydraulic modeling for water distribution and sewerage networks. Smart water systems: Sensors, IoT, real-time monitoring, smart metering, data analytics. Digital twin technology for urban water infrastructure. Decision support systems for integrated urban water planning.
6.	Governance, Policy, and Financing in Urban Water	This module explores the institutional, regulatory, and financial aspects crucial for effective and equitable urban water management. Key Topics: Institutional frameworks for urban water governance: Roles of utilities, local governments, regulators (e.g., WASREB in Kenya). Water policy and legal frameworks specific to urban water supply and sanitation. Regulation and tariffs for urban water services: Ensuring affordability and cost recovery. Financing urban water infrastructure: Public funding, private investment, international development assistance. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in urban water services. Addressing corruption and promoting integrity in urban water management.
7.	Sustainable and Resilient Urban Water Futures	This module synthesizes learning, focusing on future-proofing urban water systems against climate change and promoting a circular economy approach. Key Topics: Climate change impacts on urban water: Droughts, floods, sea-level rise, water quality degradation. Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for urban water systems. Circular economy principles in urban water: Water reuse, energy recovery, nutrient recycling. Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) and sponge city concepts. Case studies of innovative and resilient urban water management from global and regional cities. Pathways to achieving water-secure and sustainable cities.

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.