Explore the key drivers shaping the future of the global water sector, from climate change and carbon neutrality to emerging contaminants and sustainable financing.

This industry-focused course examines how these global trends are transforming water and wastewater treatment systems and services, providing insight into how utilities and practitioners are adapting to evolving environmental, regulatory, and societal demands.

The Global Water Sector is a 5-day short course that provides an industry-focused introduction to the organisations, challenges, and trends shaping water and wastewater services worldwide and in the UK.

Participants will explore how global drivers—including climate change, carbon neutrality, environmental protection, emerging contaminants, sustainable financing, and public trust—are influencing the planning, operation, and future development of water and wastewater services in different contexts.

At a glance

Course structure

This course is delivered via a mixture of lectures and group activities.

What you will learn

The water sector is undergoing rapid transformation. This course provides the context needed to understand not only how water and wastewater systems work, but why they are changing. Whether you are new to the sector or looking to broaden your perspective, you will gain practical insight into the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry's future. By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the global challenges affecting water resources, water supply, and wastewater services, and explain how these challenges differ between high- and low-income countries.
  • Summarise the key elements of water and wastewater services—from catchment and treatment to discharge, recycling, and resource recovery—and explain how they are being impacted by global challenges.
  • Summarise and evaluate the key trends driving change in water and wastewater services, compare how these trends are emerging in different contexts, and discuss how the sector is likely to respond.

Core content

  • Introduction to the UK water sector and its structure, regulation, and key stakeholders.
  • Global challenges affecting water resources, water supply services, and wastewater services.
  • Catchment management, water resources, and the water environment.
  • Drinking water systems and international drinking water standards.
  • Wastewater systems, treatment processes, and protection of the water environment.
  • Emerging contaminants and environmental water quality.
  • Water abstraction, demand management, and discharge regulation.
  • Key drivers of innovation, including climate change adaptation, Net Zero, the circular economy, and digitalisation.
  • Interactive learning through case studies, practical data exercises, site visits, and group activities.

Who should attend

This course is ideal for students, water sector professionals, water company employees, consultants, public sector employees and anyone interested in developing a better understanding of the challenges and innovations shaping the future of the water and wastewater sector.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by CIWEM

Concessions

10% discount for Cranfield alumni.

15% discount for IWA members.

Discounts cannot be combined; only one discount may be applied per booking.

Accommodation options and prices

This is a non-residential course. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information regarding our accommodation on campus can be found here.

Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

Further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford
MK43 0AL

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.