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NITA AccreditedIntermediatePhysical + Virtual5 daysUit2

Training on Gravity-Fed Water Supply Systems: Design, Construction & Implementation

Master gravity-fed water system design, construction, and implementation. Build technical skills for sustainable rural water access and WASH infrastructure delivery.

Next intake

20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru

View all dates

Duration

5 days

Live instruction

Delivery

Physical + Virtual

Cohort based

Level

Intermediate

Working professionals

Certification

NITA reimbursable

For Kenyan cohorts

Language

English

All materials

Overview

About this programme

This specialized course provides practical skills in the planning, design, construction, and implementation of gravity-fed water supply systems, particularly for rural and low-resource settings. Participants will explore hydraulic principles, community-based approaches, infrastructure layout, and sustainability considerations. The course also emphasizes hands-on strategies for effective delivery and management of gravity flow systems to improve access to safe and reliable water in underserved communities.

Duration

5 Days

Who Should Attend

  • WASH Engineers and Technicians

  • Rural Water Supply Planners

  • Infrastructure Development Officers

  • NGO and Humanitarian Program Staff

  • Government Water Department Professionals

  • Project Managers in Water and Sanitation

Learning outcomes

What you'll walk away with

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the technical and hydraulic principles behind gravity-fed water systems

  • Design effective and sustainable rural gravity water schemes

  • Plan and manage the construction of gravity-fed systems

  • Engage communities for ownership and sustainability

  • Monitor and evaluate system performance for long-term service delivery

Course modules

What we cover, module by module

Module 1: Fundamentals of Gravity-Fed Water Supply Systems

  • Principles and applications of gravity-fed water systems in rural and peri-urban areas
  • Key system components: source intake, pipelines, reservoirs, and distribution networks
  • Advantages, limitations, and sustainability considerations
  • Case Study: Successful gravity-fed water schemes in East Africa

Module 2: Water System Design and Hydraulic Planning

  • Site surveys, topographic assessments, and source evaluation
  • Water demand forecasting and flow calculations
  • Pipeline sizing, hydraulic gradients, and reservoir design principles
  • Practical Exercise: Designing a simple gravity-fed water distribution layout

Module 3: Construction and Installation Practices

  • Construction methods for intakes, pipelines, storage tanks, and tap stands
  • Material selection, quality control, and construction supervision
  • Occupational safety and environmental protection during installation
  • Case Study: Addressing construction challenges in remote communities

Module 4: Operation, Maintenance, and Community Management

  • Routine operation and preventive maintenance procedures
  • Leak detection, pipeline repair, and system troubleshooting
  • Community participation and water user committee management
  • Practical Activity: Developing an operation and maintenance schedule

Module 5: Monitoring, Sustainability, and Climate Resilience

  • Performance monitoring and water quality management
  • Building climate-resilient and sustainable water systems
  • Financial management, tariff systems, and long-term sustainability planning
  • Final Project: Preparing a gravity-fed water supply implementation and sustainability plan
Impact

Where the change lands

Organizational Impact

  • Improves the effectiveness and sustainability of water supply projects through high-standard gravity-fed systems.

  • Reduces risks of project failure and costly repairs, ensuring better resource allocation.

  • Strengthens the organization’s credibility in delivering sustainable infrastructure.

Personal Impact

  • Equips participants with in-demand skills for development and public sector careers.

  • Supports progression into senior planning, leadership, or advisory roles.

  • Enables leadership in designing and championing robust, sustainable water systems.

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.

Full calendar
FAQs

Common questions.

Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.

The goal is to equip you with the skills to design, construct, and implement reliable gravity-fed water supply systems, providing safe water without the need for pumps.

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 Gravity-Fed Water Supply Systems: Design, Construction & Implementation 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.