Water treatment universities

Wageningen University (NL)

This university offers relevant BSc courses in two different areas. The most relevant course is Environmental Science, and another possible course is Soil, Water, Atmosphere. These include water and water treatment related subjects. In the MSc part of the study course, more specific water treatment related subjects may be selected. Environmental Sciences has its own options for water treatment specialization within the Environmental Technology department. Course descriptions are given below.

Environmental Sciences
The BSc-degree programme Environmental Sciences provides basic academic training in the field of environmental sciences and their applications. Environmental sciences deal with environmental and sustainability issues, i.e. problems arising from the interaction of human and Earth systems. Their applications involve detection and analysis of (potential) problems as well as design, development and evaluation of solutions to these problems. Environmental issues have social causes and consequences that are linked by physical, chemical, and biological processes operating on the Earth. Their scientific study requires knowledge and understanding of the terminology, the principles and the methodologies of both natural and social sciences.
Environmental Technology focuses on the application of biological, physical, and chemical processes in techniques aimed at improving environmental quality and controlling or preventing emissions. Relevant subjects include Water Treatment, Process Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, and General and Environmental Microbiology.

Soil, water, atmosphere
Soil, Water, Atmosphere is a BSc-degree programme in the field of the Earth's Sciences and their applications. Its subject is the Earth, its genesis and its significance to Man. Compared with Earth Sciences programmes offered by other Dutch universities, the Wageningen programme traditionally puts more emphasis on the Earth's surface, including the upper crust and the atmospheric boundary layer. It thus focuses on the structures and patterns found at the Earth's surface and on the physical, chemical and biological processes operating within and between the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the biosphere. In addition, Soil, Water, Atmosphere deals with the impact of human activities on the Earth and on the problem how to manage and use the Earth in a sustainable way. The pursued approach is based on the natural sciences and both process-oriented and spatially explicit.
Relevant subjects include General and Physical Chemistry, Chemical Processes, Fluid Dynamics, Water Quantity and Quality, Soil and Water (I and II), and General and Environmental Microbiology.

For more information on Wageningen University courses, see the University Study Handbook

For Dutch students, the Environmental Science course with (water) Technology specialization may also be taken at a higher vocational school for technical and agricultural engineering. One example is Hogeschool INHolland Delft, course name Milieukunde. With a diploma, you may also transfer to a two-year Masters programme at Wageningen University.

Technical University Delft (TU Delft, NL)

This university offers a relevant course the Civil Engineering area, called Sanitary Engineering. It is a specialization MSc course of Water Management. The course is described below.

Sanitary Engineering
In this focus area you learn about the techniques of drinking water production and of waste water treatment and about types of sewer systems. You are taught the theoretical backgrounds, conduct experiments and learn to design systems yourself. Further subjects include public hygiene and epidemiology and the design, construction, management and maintenance of drinking water and waste water networks and the accompanying pumping stations.

For more information, see the online course description. Other relevant courses include MSc Chemical Engineering.

Cranfield University (UK)

This university offers a wide variety of MSc water courses. The most relevant courses are International Water Technology and Management, Water and Wastewater Technology, and Water Processes - Advanced Professional Masters MTech. All courses focus quite specifically on water treatment, and are therefore an excellent basis to start working at Lenntech or other companies in the water sector.

International Water Technology and Management
The course aims to address the shortage of high-calibre staff with the necessary technical and management skills to meet the pressing needs for better quality and sustainable water supply and sanitation worldwide. The course focuses on technologies and associated management strategies for international water operations. Students focus their studies around:
- Understanding the latest technologies available for water and wastewater treatment projects, and how to manage  them in a sustainable context
- Gaining an appreciation of the complex structure and regulation of global water businesses
- Developing project management capabilities in a multi-cultural environment
- Learning how to initiate and manage international financing for projects.
Student learn to work sewage treatment works in a pilot-plant hall, including a grey water facility, microbiology and clean water laboratories, and specialist soil and water laboratories.

Water and Wastewater Technology
This course is ideal for individuals who want to make a real difference to delivering reliable water supplies, or maintaining and enhancing river and ground water quality. Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), it provides students with an understanding and practical experience of the process science and management tools that underpin water and wastewater treatment and service provision.
The course produces process-literate and management-competent graduates equipped to work within the water sector. Student learn to work sewage treatment works in a pilot-plant hall, including a grey water facility, microbiology and clean water laboratories, and specialist soil and water laboratories.

Water Processes - Advanced Professional Masters MTech
Combining a taught Masters with company-based project work, this innovative programme will provide a solid academic base and a rich experience with which to develop a career in the water sector. The course is specifically designed to:
- Educate students in the fundamentals and application of process science for advanced water and wastewater treatment
- Educate students in relevant management disciplines
- Develop the capability of each student to undertake applied industrial research and project work both individually and in teams.
Student learn to work sewage treatment works in a pilot-plant hall, including a grey water facility, microbiology and clean water laboratories, and specialist soil and water laboratories. Students also go on site visits to industrial facilities, as well as to those associated with their sponsoring companies and placement project work.
 

Other water courses and lectures

Germany - The University of Bremen offers Production-Integrated (Waste) Water Technology and Process-Integrated Waste Minimization studies.

Germany - The University of Hannover (Leibniz) offers Water and Environment courses, with a possibility to specialize in MSc Environmental Technology.

Germany - The University of Kassel offers Hydraulic Engineering and Water Monitoring courses.

Germany - The University of Siegen offers lectures of Hydrology and Water Resource Management.

USA - Water and wastewater courses can be found in several universities in the United States, including Colorado University and Stanford University.