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Prof Dale Whittington and Dr Duncan Thomas

Our course explores what can be done to solve the complex problem that half a billion people worldwide do not have improved water supplies and two billion do not have improved sanitation. We look forward to you joining us. We want to help you develop the skills you need to address this major global challenge of the 21st century.

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Our course explores what can be done to solve the complex problem that half a billion people worldwide do not have improved water supplies and two billion do not have improved sanitation. We look forward to you joining us. We want to help you develop the skills you need to address this major global challenge of the 21st century.

Our course has informative video lectures and guest interviews with leading water policy scholars and practitioners. We will provide you with discussion forum topic prompts, which will invite you to engage with other learners from around the globe. Our MOOC will also ask you to attempt weekly quizzes and a challenging assignment that tackles a real water and sanitation problem in a difficult setting.

Please watch this trailer: https://youtu.be/Q-HmaCZNd0k

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introducing Key Facts about Water and Sanitation Services
Understanding the Political Economy of Water
Supply-Side Costs of Water and Sanitation Services
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Understanding Demand-Side Issues of Water Supply
Exploring Health Benefits and Climate Change Issues
Development Paths for Water and Sanitation Services

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores best practices to enhance global water and sanitation initiatives
Provides diverse perspectives from experts in the water and sanitation field
Instructors are experienced professionals in water and sanitation policy
Engages learners with interactive quizzes and practical assignments

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Reviews summary

Well-received course on water supply and sanitation

Based on reviews, students largely express that this course is excellent. Learners find the lecturers to be knowledgeable and the information provided to be valuable. The course thoroughly explores the problems surrounding water supply and sanitation in developing countries and offers practical solutions. Overall, learners say that this course provides great insight into the field and helps improve their understanding of water supply and sanitation policy.
Focus on developing countries' needs
"Very useful course for understanding the water supply and sanitation in developing countries."
"This course will help me in my career especially coming from a developing country like Liberia which i intent to help create a safe environment for our people."
Knowledgeable, experienced lecturers
"The reviewers presented the information clearly and concisely and they had good guest speakers also."
"excellent course material and very reputed professors and senior practitioners from private sector/ international NGOs."
High-quality, engaging material
"Learnt a lot from the course, was a great experinece"
"The course was well presented with relevant examples from work by the tutors and published research."
"Very Informative in all subjects and great collection of videos presented with good discussion with sector expert"
Lack of recent information, limited feedback
"Good course, but I think an update is needed on the available information sources, they are more than 7 years old now."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 1: Understanding Complex Problems with these activities:
Review selected sections of college physics and engineering
Review key concepts from college physics and engineering to strengthen foundational knowledge in support of this water and sanitation course.
Show steps
  • Review the principles of fluid mechanics, including buoyancy, pressure, and flow.
  • Revisit the concepts of water treatment processes, including filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection.
  • Refresh your understanding of water distribution systems, including pipe networks and pumps.
Read 'Water and Sanitation for the 21st Century'
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the global water and sanitation crisis, its causes, and potential solutions.
Show steps
  • Read the introduction and opening chapters to gain an overview of the book's main arguments.
  • Review the sections on water scarcity, sanitation challenges, and health impacts.
  • Explore the proposed solutions, including technological advancements and policy frameworks.
Create a multimedia presentation on the importance of water conservation
Engage in a creative exercise that combines research and communication skills to raise awareness about water conservation.
Browse courses on Water Conservation
Show steps
  • Gather information on the importance of water conservation.
  • Develop visually appealing and informative slides or videos.
  • Practice presenting your message clearly and concisely.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a workshop on water and sanitation technologies
Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and practical applications in the field of water and sanitation.
Browse courses on Sanitation Technologies
Show steps
  • Identify workshops organized by reputable institutions or industry leaders.
  • Attend the workshop(s) and engage actively in discussions and demonstrations.
  • Follow up with the workshop organizers or speakers to continue learning.
Develop a water and sanitation project proposal
Apply the principles learned in the course to design a project that addresses water and sanitation challenges in a real-world context.
Show steps
  • Identify a specific water or sanitation issue in a community.
  • Research and analyze the root causes and contributing factors.
  • Develop a project plan outlining the proposed intervention, implementation strategy, and monitoring framework.
Design a rainwater harvesting system for a community
Put your understanding of water supply and sanitation into practice by designing a sustainable solution for a community's water needs.
Show steps
  • Assess the community's water needs and available rainfall data.
  • Design the rainwater harvesting system, including the collection, storage, and distribution components.
  • Estimate the system's capacity and potential impact on water availability.
Contribute to open-source water monitoring projects
Gain hands-on experience in water monitoring techniques and data analysis while contributing to a real-world community effort.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Identify open-source water monitoring projects aligned with your interests.
  • Join the community and learn about the project's goals and methods.
  • Contribute to data collection, analysis, or visualization tasks.

Career center

Learners who complete Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 1: Understanding Complex Problems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Water Resource Manager
You may also consider becoming a Water Resource Manager. Water Resource Managers design and implement programs to protect and manage water resources. This course will give you an overview of water and sanitation supply chains and the challenges that developing nations face. It could help you build your understanding of the field.
Water Policy Analyst
If you are interested in a career as a Water Policy Analyst, this course could help you build a foundation. Water Policy Analysts study and evaluate water policies and regulations. This course covers water supply and sanitation policy in developing countries, which will give you an introduction to the field.
Civil Engineer
The course will also be helpful if you wish to become a Civil Engineer. Civil Engineers work on infrastructure projects, including water and sanitation projects. This course could help you understand the challenges of water supply and sanitation in developing countries, which can help you better understand the scope of Civil Engineering.
Water Supply Engineer
If you want to be a Water Supply Engineer, this course can provide a foundation. Water Supply Engineers design and build water supply systems. This course introduces water supply and sanitation policy in developing countries, which will give you an understanding of the challenges of working in the field.
Sanitation Engineer
Those who wish to become Sanitation Engineers may also find this course useful. Sanitation Engineers design and build sanitation systems. The course covers water and sanitation supply chains, sanitation design, and environmental health engineering. This will give you an introduction to the field and the work that you would do as a Sanitation Engineer.
Environmental Engineer
If you want to be an Environmental Engineer, this course can help you build a foundation. As an Environmental Engineer, you will be working on implementing solutions to environmental problems. The course covers water supply and sanitation, which are examples of global environmental problems. This course will allow you to connect theoretical knowledge to real-world problems.
Water Economist
You may want to consider Water Economist if you enjoy Economics. Water Economists analyze the economic aspects of water resources. This course will help you understand water supply and sanitation in developing countries, which can help you understand how water economics might work in the field.
Environmental Consultant
This course may be useful to those interested in becoming an Environmental Consultant. Environmental Consultants work with businesses and governments to help them understand and comply with environmental regulations. They also provide advice and guidance on environmental issues. This course will give you an understanding of water and sanitation policy in developing countries, which may be of interest to potential employers.
Water Quality Scientist
If you are interested in the quality of water, you can pursue a career as a Water Quality Scientist. Water Quality Scientists conduct research on water quality and environmental health. This course will give you an introduction to the issues of water supply and sanitation faced by developing nations, and will introduce you to the fundamentals of sanitation and water treatment.
Water Conservation Specialist
This course may be a good choice if you are interested in becoming a Water Conservation Specialist. Water Conservation Specialists develop and implement programs to conserve water resources. This course can help you gain an understanding of the challenges of water supply and sanitation in developing countries, as well as the fundamentals of water conservation.
Water Resources Planner
This could be a useful course for those who want to be Water Resources Planners. Water Resources Planners develop and implement plans to protect and manage water resources. This course will introduce you to the challenges of water supply and sanitation in developing countries, as well as the fundamentals of water resources management.
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Individuals interested in working as a Water Treatment Plant Operator may also benefit from this course. Water Treatment Plant Operators monitor and maintain water treatment facilities. This course will provide you with a basic understanding of the challenges of water supply and sanitation in developing countries, as well as the fundamentals of water treatment.
Water Quality Manager
Water Quality Managers may find this course helpful. Water Quality Managers oversee the quality of water resources. This course can provide you with an introduction to the challenges of water supply and sanitation in developing countries, which will give you an understanding of the field.
Geologist
This Water Supply and Sanitation Policy course can provide a useful foundation for a career in Geology. Geologists study the Earth's materials, and often specialize in water resources. A deep understanding of water supply and sanitation is necessary for a Geologist who specializes in water resources. This course can give you an introduction to these concepts.
Hydrologist
This course could be useful for building a career as a Hydrologist. A Hydrologist studies the movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. A basic understanding of water supply and sanitation is useful for any Hydrologist and this course can provide you with a foundation for further study.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 1: Understanding Complex Problems.
Examines the political economy of water management in developing countries and provides policy recommendations for improving the efficiency and equity of water use.
Provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector and for developing and implementing WASH programs.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the world's water resources and offers recommendations for sustainable water management.
Examines the global water crisis and its implications for security and stability.
Provides a historical overview of water management and its impact on human civilization.

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