This course introduces participants to the basics of planning, hydraulic- and engineering design, construction, operation & maintenance of water transport and distribution systems.

Learning objectives

Upon completion of the course, the participants will be able to:

decide on the main planning elements of these systems, namely the design demands, pressures, velocities and gradients;
choose adequate supplying scheme, suggest the network layout, main components and pipe materials;
distinguish between various operational modes and finally;
judge technical solutions dealing with the system maintenance, rehabilitation, and expansion.

Target group

Mid-career professionals dealing with technical aspects of drinking water transport & distribution, working for municipal assemblies, water supply companies or consulting bureau's.

Course content

The course covers the following subjects:

Introduction: Main objectives and components of water transport and distribution systems.
Water Demand: Categories, patterns, calculation, forecasting.
Hydraulics of Pressurised Flows: Basic equations, single pipe calculation, branched and looped networks, system- and pump characteristics, pressure related demand. Hydraulics of storage and pumps.
Main Components of Hydraulic Design: Design parameters, choice of supply scheme, network layouts.
Engineering design: Choice of pipe materials, valves and other equipment.
Pumps and Mechanical Equipment: Review of pump types and their applications, design of pumping stations, power requirements and energy consumption, auxiliary equipment.
Network construction: pipe laying, testing and disinfection.
Operation and Maintenance: Regular and irregular supply, unaccounted-for water and leakage, network cleaning and rehabilitation procedures, water demand management.

Examination

It is possible to take part in the examination of this short course. If you obtain a passing mark for this examination and return to UNESCO-IHE within four years after completion of the short course to follow a full MSc programme, you will receive exemption for this short course/module. The costs for this exam are €250 extra and should be borne by yourself. Taking part in the examination is not compulsory.