Training on Designing & Implementing Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DWWTs)
Master the design and implementation of decentralized wastewater treatment systems. Learn practical DWWT solutions for sustainable sanitation and small-scale wastewater management.
Next intake
20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru
Duration
5 days
Live instruction
Delivery
Physical + Virtual
Cohort based
Level
Intermediate
Working professionals
Certification
NITA reimbursable
For Kenyan cohorts
Language
English
All materials
About this programme
This course provides a practical and technical foundation for the design, implementation, and management of decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DWWTs). It equips participants with the skills to address wastewater challenges in small communities, institutions, peri-urban, and rural settings where centralized systems are not feasible. Emphasis is placed on sustainability, environmental protection, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability to local conditions.
Duration
5 Days
Who Should Attend
-
Sanitation and environmental engineers
-
Urban and rural infrastructure planners
-
WASH practitioners and NGO staff
-
Government officials in water and sanitation sectors
-
Development partners and environmental consultants
What you'll walk away with
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
-
Understand the principles and benefits of DWWTs in various contexts
-
Design appropriate DWWT systems based on site-specific needs
-
Evaluate technology options, layout, and performance criteria
-
Implement operation, maintenance, and monitoring strategies
-
Integrate DWWTs into broader WASH and environmental plans
What we cover, module by module
Module 1: Introduction to Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DWWTs)
- Overview of wastewater management challenges in decentralized and peri-urban contexts
- Centralized vs. decentralized sanitation systems: advantages, limitations, and applicability
- Regulatory requirements, discharge standards, and environmental compliance frameworks
- Site selection criteria, stakeholder engagement, and demand assessment
- Case Study: Decentralized wastewater solutions in fast-growing urban settlements
Module 2: Design Principles and Treatment Technologies
- Core design parameters: hydraulic loading, retention time, organic loading, and treatment efficiency
- Overview of DWWT technologies: septic tanks, anaerobic baffled reactors (ABR), constructed wetlands, DEWATS systems
- Modular and scalable system design approaches
- Cost estimation, materials selection, and lifecycle considerations
- Practical Exercise: Selecting an appropriate DWWT system for a given community scenario
Module 3: Implementation and Construction Management
- Preparing technical drawings, BOQs, and system specifications
- Construction supervision, contractor coordination, and quality assurance
- Health, safety, and environmental management during construction
- Common implementation challenges and mitigation strategies
- Case Study: Delivery of community-scale DWWT projects under resource constraints
Module 4: Operation, Maintenance, and Performance Monitoring
- Designing sustainable O&M frameworks for decentralized systems
- Key performance indicators and monitoring tools for treatment efficiency
- Sludge handling, effluent quality management, and compliance tracking
- Capacity building for operators, utilities, and community institutions
- Practical Exercise: Developing an O&M checklist for a DWWT facility
Module 5: Integration, Sustainability, and Case Studies
- Integration of DWWTs with water reuse and resource recovery systems
- Climate resilience and environmental protection considerations
- Institutional and governance models for long-term sustainability
- Regional and global case studies with lessons learned
- Final Project: Design a decentralized wastewater treatment solution for a real or simulated site
Where the change lands
Organizational Impact
-
Enhances efficiency and sustainability of wastewater management programs.
-
Promotes cost-effective, scalable solutions that protect public health and the environment.
-
Strengthens reputation as a leader in sustainable environmental practices.
Personal Impact
-
Develops in-demand skills for environmental and public sector careers.
-
Supports advancement into senior planning, leadership, or advisory roles.
-
Equips participants to lead and champion innovative and sustainable wastewater initiatives.
Dates and locations
Upcoming intakes
Every intake is limited to a small cohort. Booking closes when a date fills or three weeks before the start, whichever comes first.
| City | Starts | Ends | Delivery | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NakuruNext | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Kigali | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Accra | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Kisumu | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Johannesburg | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Dakar | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
- NakuruNext
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Kigali
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Accra
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Kisumu
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Johannesburg
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Dakar
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake
Common questions.
Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.
You may also like.
Programmes in the same discipline that participants often pair with this course.
Hybrid5 daysLearn how AI, satellite imagery, and remote sensing technologies support drought monitoring and water scarcity forecasting.
Hybrid5 daysBuild expertise in AI-driven water resource planning to strengthen water security, resilience, and climate adaptation.
Hybrid5 daysLearn AI-powered groundwater and aquifer sustainability modeling using machine learning, GIS and geospatial analytics for water resource planning and management
Course finder
Find the right course for you
Prefer to talk it through? Send us an enquiry and a facilitator will scope a fit within a business day.
For corporate teams
Training 10+ professionals?
We deliver Training on Designing & Implementing Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DWWTs) in-house at your offices, at a venue we arrange, or fully virtual. Customise the curriculum against your KPIs, and get a bespoke price for the cohort size you need.