Introduction to Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (Coursera)

Introduction to Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (Coursera)

It is well known that water treatment at the household level can lead to dramatic improvements in drinking water quality. But does Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS) also have global relevance? What are the potential treatment solutions and how do they function? Is there a standard strategy for successful HWTS implementation, or can we identify key components which make programs more likely to succeed? In this course you will learn about the most important water treatment methods at household level, successful implementation strategies and about assessing the impact of HWTS.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

MOOC SERIES “SANITATION, WATER AND SOLID WASTE FOR DEVELOPMENT” : This course is one of four in the series “Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development".

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction to HWTS
The course begins with a review of the public health impacts of unsafe drinking water. We define physical, chemical, and microbial aspects of drinking water quality and present the major classes of pathogens. Information about pathways for faecal contamination of drinking water are followed by an introduction to the concept of HWTS and the principal technologies.

WEEK 2
HWTS treatment options
During week 2 and 3 we focus on potential treatment methods. We refer first to the standards of safe drinking water and improved drinking water. Week 2 focuses on sedimentation and different kinds of filtration.

WEEK 3
HWTS treatment options
During week 2 and 3 we focus on potential treatment methods. We refer first to the standards of safe drinking water and improved drinking water. Week 3 focuses on heat, ultraviolet radiation, chemical disinfection. Specific modules are provided to cover safe storage and combined methods of water treatment.

WEEK 4
Implementation strategies for HWTS
During week 4 we analyse different approaches that have been successfully applied. We highlight key components which make programs more likely to succeed. We ask the questions, what is required that the most vulnerable populations use HWTS correctly and consistently over the long-term? In separate modules we consider the special case of HWTS in emergency response and provide information about the role of government bodies.

WEEK 5
Monitoring and Evaluating HWTS
During the last week, we present different approaches for monitoring and evaluating HWTS. Case studies and guest lecturers, we highlight several key challenges, including the need for consistent use and field-robust measurements. The course ends with a wrap-up module, which serves as preparation for the final exam.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Sustainable high-end tourism (Coursera) Coursera
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Sustainable high-end tourism (Coursera)

Welcome to the sustainable high-end tourism course. Why should you take this course? High-end tourism is a sector and industry that has grown in the last 50 years in an exponential way across the globe. The recent developments in our world -with globalization and sustainability- need to be addressed in this high-end industry. In this course we will have a look at what makes that high-end tourism, what is essential in high-end luxury tourism, and what is not.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Sustainability of Social-Ecological Systems: the Nexus between Water, Energy and Food (Coursera) Coursera
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Sustainability of Social-Ecological Systems: the Nexus between Water, Energy and Food (Coursera)

In this course you will become familiar with the ideas of the water-energy-food nexus and transdisciplinary thinking. You will learn to see your community or country as a complex social-ecological system and to describe its water, energy and food metabolism in the form of a pattern, as well as to map the categories of social actors.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Sustainable Fashion (Coursera) Coursera
Copenhagen Business School

Sustainable Fashion (Coursera)

Sometimes when we say we work with sustainable fashion people look at us like... "Mmmm, is it really possible for something like fashion to be sustainable?" And let's face it, people are right being suspicious. If anything the fashion industry has become increasingly unsustainable over the last decades, using more and more natural resources and creating more and more waste.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Sustainability through Soccer: Systems-Thinking in Action (Coursera) Coursera
University of Virginia

Sustainability through Soccer: Systems-Thinking in Action (Coursera)

This course takes learners on a journey through a progression of systems-thinking and sustainability concepts. Using the beautiful game of soccer as an analogy, we'll work together to illuminate real-world interdependencies (such as between climate change and human rights), building the chain of concepts in a fun, accessible way. Soccer nerds and newbies alike will be entertained and, ultimately, rewarded with the epiphanies that come from seeing in systems more clearly.

Sep 14th 2026
4 Weeks
Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations (Coursera)

Welcome to the MOOC "Global Health Security, Solidarity and Sustainability through the International Health Regulations". We are very excited to have you on board and hope you will enjoy the course! In the coming 6 weeks, you will learn about the International Health Regulations (IHR), history of its creation and evolution, its major principles and implementation procedures, as well as challenges and future opportunities.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Algae Biotechnology (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Algae Biotechnology (Coursera)

For decades, researchers have been studying microalgae to understand their biological functions and how we can use technology to harness algae’s power to create a wide range of commercial products. In this course, we will cover how synthetic biology, genetic engineering, and metabolic engineering is used in algae biotechnology, and also examine the current state of algae biotechnology research and tools. We’ll also explore some of the common bio-products we can make from algae, and take a look at some real-world algae companies that are using algae biotechnology to create products consumers can buy today.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (Coursera) Coursera
University of Florida

Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (Coursera)

This course will cover the agricultural and urban water quality issues in Florida, their bases, land and nutrient management strategies, and the science and policy behind the best management practices (BMPs). Students will learn to evaluate BMP research and analyze its role in determining practices and policies that protect water quality.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Management of Urban Infrastructures – part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Management of Urban Infrastructures – part 1 (Coursera)

Sustainability, Resilience and Efficiency are fundamental considerations for city managers in managing urban infrastructures. Today, more than 3.9 billion people, making up more than 54% of the global population, live in cities. Urbanization is expected to continue in the coming years, raising the urban population to 6.0 billion by 2045. This dramatic increase in urban populations will inevitably increase the demand for energy, mobility (transportation), water, and other urban services in every city around the world. Without functional governance and management structures that ensure efficient, resilient and sustainable performance in cities, the current urbanization growth might become a catastrophic risk threatening the quality of life of the humanity.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action (Coursera)

Are you concerned about climate change? Would you like to learn how to address and respond to this challenge? If so, this course is for you. Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action is intended to help learners understand, address and respond to climate change as individuals and in partnership with their communities and political leaders.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Business Sustainability in the Circular Economy (Coursera) Coursera
University of London

Business Sustainability in the Circular Economy (Coursera)

We are surrounded by so much discussion of sustainability that it can sometimes become overwhelming. Important questions include: What role can business have in ensuring the sustainability of the planet? How should business work with society to preserve the environment? These questions will be answered in this course as we explore the meaning of sustainability and its impact on modern organisations as they move to circular ideas to reduce waste, increase recycling and become fit for our modern society.

Sep 14th 2026
3 Weeks
Planning for Climate Change in African Cities (Coursera) Coursera
Erasmus University Rotterdam,United Cities and Local Governments of Africa,African Local Government Academy,Institute for Housing and Urban Development

Planning for Climate Change in African Cities (Coursera)

Climate change poses a threat to economic growth and long-term prosperity of many countries around the world. Africa is not an exception, considering the actual and potential impacts of climate change and climate variability that will threaten its vulnerable sectors and human populations. African countries are projected to experience changing rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and higher temperatures that will affect food security, agricultural production, water availability, and public health, among others. These climate change impacts and climate variability can further produce social and political problems, such as rural-urban migration and water resource disputes.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks