Free online course offers supported learning on Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage

The World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre has launched a series of online courses on water and sanitation, created in collaboration with the Swiss University EPFL.

The first installment ’Introduction to Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS)’ begins 7 April 2014 and will run for five weeks. The course, which requires only 6-8 hours per week, is free of charge. You only need an internet connection and an interest in drinking water quality.

WEEK 1: Introduction to Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage
About this course; Global burden of disease from unsafe drinking water; Water contamination – microbial, chemical, physical aspects of water quality; How does drinking water become unsafe?; What is HWTS?; How does HWTS fit in with MDGs and whatever will follow them?; The HWTS Network; Key messages – Introduction to HWTS

WEEK 2: HWTS treatment options
Guidelines for safe drinking water and improved drinking water; Water source protection and hygiene; Pretreatment; Physical and biological filtration

WEEK 3: HWTS treatment options
Chemical disinfection; Ultraviolet radiation; Heat; Safe water storage; Key messages – HWTS treatment options

WEEK 4: Implementation strategies for HWTS
Implementation context; Demand creation; Supply chains; Targeting the vulnerable; HWTS in schools; HWTS in emergency response; Roles of government bodies; Key messages – Implementation strategies for HWTS

WEEK 5: Assessing the impact of HWTS
Monitoring & evaluation of HWTS interventions; Health impacts of HWTS; Validation of HWTS technologies; Cost effectiveness; Wrap-up module

You can register at https://www.coursera.org/course/hwts