INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
COURSE BACKGROUND
Effective wastewater management and treatment are critical pillars of public health, environmental sustainability, and a circular economy. Untreated or inadequately treated wastewater – from domestic, industrial, and agricultural sources – is a major source of water pollution, leading to widespread waterborne diseases, degradation of aquatic ecosystems, and contamination of agricultural lands. In many rapidly urbanizing regions, including Nairobi and other parts of East Africa, the challenges are particularly acute due to burgeoning populations, rapid informal settlement expansion, aging infrastructure, and often limited capacity for comprehensive wastewater management. Beyond pollution control, wastewater is increasingly recognized as a valuable resource for water, energy, and nutrient recovery. Developing robust wastewater management systems and implementing appropriate treatment technologies are therefore essential for achieving sustainable development goals, protecting human well-being, and fostering a healthier environment.
ECAS Institute offers this “Wastewater Management and Treatment” course to equip engineers, urban planners, public health officials, environmental managers, utility operators, and policymakers with the essential knowledge and practical skills to design, operate, and manage sustainable wastewater systems. This program will provide a comprehensive understanding of wastewater characteristics, conventional and advanced treatment technologies, resource recovery approaches, and the necessary policy and governance frameworks.
COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Characterize different types of wastewater (domestic, industrial, agricultural) and their key physical, chemical, and biological properties.
- Understand the principles and processes of conventional, advanced, and decentralized wastewater treatment technologies.
- Evaluate and select appropriate wastewater treatment options based on specific effluent quality requirements and local contexts.
- Develop strategies for sustainable wastewater management, including collection systems, sludge management, and odor control.
- Explore opportunities for resource recovery from wastewater, such as water reuse, nutrient recovery, and energy generation.
- Understand national and international wastewater discharge standards and regulations (e.g., NEMA regulations in Kenya).
- Apply methodologies for monitoring and evaluating the performance of wastewater treatment plants.
- Analyze the socio-economic, environmental, and institutional challenges in wastewater management, particularly in developing regions.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
This course will provide you with a practical and comprehensive understanding of wastewater management and treatment, enabling you to contribute to healthier communities and a cleaner environment. You will learn to:
- Identify the sources and composition of various wastewater streams, predicting their treatability challenges.
- Master the fundamental concepts behind primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment processes, including biological and chemical methods.
- Design basic layouts for wastewater treatment facilities, understanding the flow and function of each unit operation.
- Operate and troubleshoot common issues in wastewater treatment plants to ensure optimal performance.
- Implement strategies for responsible sludge management, including treatment, disposal, and beneficial reuse.
- Evaluate the feasibility of water recycling and reuse schemes for irrigation, industrial processes, or groundwater recharge.
- Explore technologies for nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus) and energy recovery from wastewater.
- Interpret wastewater quality parameters against national and international discharge standards.
- Address the challenges of wastewater management in rapidly urbanizing areas and informal settlements, considering decentralized solutions.
- Understand the financing and institutional models for sustainable wastewater services.
DURATION AND PROGRAM
This is a structured training course designed for in-depth learning of wastewater management and treatment principles and practices. The program will incorporate a blend of expert-led lectures, interactive discussions, practical problem-solving exercises, case studies (including regional examples from East Africa on managing wastewater in urban and rural settings), and potentially virtual or physical tours of treatment facilities (where feasible). Participants will engage with real-world scenarios to develop practical solutions. 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 planning, public health, environmental protection, engineering, and utility management. It is particularly beneficial for:
- Environmental Engineers and Consultants
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Managers
- Public Health Officers and Sanitarians
- Urban Planners and Municipal Engineers
- Government Officials from water, environment, and urban development ministries/authorities.
- Industrial Environmental Managers responsible for effluent management.
- NGO and Development Agency Staff working on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiatives.
- Researchers and Academics in environmental engineering and public health.
- Land Use Planners
- Students in environmental engineering, civil engineering, and public health programs.
TRAINING MODULES
The course is structured to provide a comprehensive and practical understanding of wastewater management and treatment:
| No | Module | Details | |
| 1. | Introduction to Wastewater and its Characteristics |
This module introduces the fundamental concepts of wastewater, its sources, and the key parameters used to characterize its composition, which guides treatment decisions.
Key Topics:
|
|
| 2. | Wastewater Collection Systems |
This module covers the infrastructure and design principles for effectively collecting and conveying wastewater from generation points to treatment facilities.
Key Topics:
|
|
| 3. | Primary and Secondary Wastewater Treatment |
This module details the foundational stages of wastewater treatment, which remove a significant portion of pollutants through physical and biological processes.
Key Topics:
|
|
| 4. | Advanced (Tertiary) Wastewater Treatment and Disinfection |
This module explores sophisticated treatment methods used to remove specific pollutants and pathogens, enabling safe discharge or reuse.
Key Topics:
|
|
|
5.
|
Sludge Management and Resource Recovery |
This module covers the treatment, disposal, and beneficial reuse of sludge (biosolids), a significant byproduct of wastewater treatment. It also explores opportunities for recovering valuable resources.
Key Topics:
|
|
| 6. | Wastewater Reuse and Recycling |
This module focuses on the increasing imperative and technologies for safely reusing treated wastewater for various non-potable and potentially potable applications.
Key Topics:
|
|
| 7. | Module 7: Planning, Governance, and Future Trends in Wastewater Management |
This module integrates technical aspects with policy, regulatory, and financial considerations for sustainable wastewater management, exploring emerging challenges and innovations.
Key Topics:
|
|
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 US