Sanitation-related urban groundwater pollution

Brief description

Many urban planners in developing countries are turning to their (urban) groundwater resources as a water supply source because the available surface water is very polluted, and groundwater is seen as a reliable and easily accessible substitute.

However, whilst groundwater sources are being tapped for water supply, the soil is at the same time used as a filtering medium for excreta and greywater disposal, without a thorough understanding of the relevant soil-groundwater interactions.

This course addresses basic hydrogeology knowledge tailor-made to the needs of those involved in providing water supply or sanitation in urban areas in developing countries.

Learning objectives

Upon completion of this course, the participants will:

Appreciate the dangers associated with unsustainable groundwater exploitation and urban groundwater pollution;
Have fundamental knowledge on urban groundwater pollution from conventional sanitation, contaminant transport and interactions between surface and groundwater;
Be able to apply technical and managerial solutions for groundwater quality (and quantity) protection, and carry out sustainable groundwater management (e.g. by adopting an ecological sanitation approach).

Target group

The course is designed for mid-career professionals who work in developing countries or countries in transition, and deal with planning, policy development, design, and management of urban water supply, groundwater exploitations schemes and sanitation provision. Participants are typically employed by municipalities, government departments, consulting firms, NGOs, universities or aid agencies.

Additional information

For more information please contact:

Dr. Jan-Willem Foppen (j.foppen@unesco-ihe.org)