Foundation modules

Foundation: Principles of integrated water management

Learning objectives

Upon successful completion of the foundation semester, you will be able to:

• Communicate current principles, concepts and practical tools involved in whole-of-water cycle approaches.
• Work in interdisciplinary teams to develop solutions to complex water-related problems.
• Undertake project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation strategies in real world contexts.
• Apply statistical methods and fundamental water science principles to particular water issues.
• Understand cross-cutting issues relating to water and the environment, including climate change, gender equity and poverty.
• Appreciate the unique challenges of implementing IWRM in developing and developed economies.
• Recognise the role of governance and stakeholder participation in water management.

Project management

(WATR7000)

You will learn the principles of project management for each stage of a project, including analysing the initial problem, scoping and designing a project, managing the administrative, logistical and financial aspects of project implementation and data analysis, and monitoring and evaluating the ongoing project. The course emphasises participatory project management for the water sector and frameworks for cross-sectoral collaboration.

Brief course description

This module trains students in the skills, tools and techniques necessary to manage a broad range of project activities. Students learn the principles of project management through each stage of the project cycle: from initial problem analysis, scoping and project design, to the management of administrative, logistical and financial aspects of project implementation, to social, environmental and gender impact, to data analysis, ongoing monitoring and evaluation, and grievance procedures. Focusing on project management for the water sector, the course emphasises participatory project management and frameworks for cross-sectoral collaboration.

Course aims

This course (WATR7000) is a Foundation subject of the Grad Cert., Grad. Dip. and Master of Integrated Water Management - a program addressing the specific needs of students working in water resource management in development contexts.  The Foundation subjects provide students with an overview of the issues relating to integrated water resource management.

The Project design and management course aims to give students an understanding of the principles of and to provide key skills in project management.  

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course, the students should be able to:

• Understand the history and theories of project management;

• Understand the project management cycle and use it in specific project activities;

• Apply the essential tools of project management relating to project planning and resourcing;

• Identify the elements required in project design;

• Define project scope using a range of participatory and analytical tools;

• Develop and develop a project logical framework and critically analyse the logical framework approach;

• Recognise the need and plan for social, environmental, and gender impact assessments in project design and rollout;

• Participate in and lead a project team;

• Understand and apply monitoring and evaluation and risk management in the project cycle.

Content organisation and teaching strategies

The module will be taught in two intensive blocks (the first over six weeks, the second over two weeks, during the semester, using seminars, guest lecturers, videos, and computer laboratory sessions.

Lecturers

Dr Helen Johnson

Science of water

(WATR7001)

This module lays a solid foundation for you in the principles of water science, aquatic ecology and the hydrological cycle, and an understanding of the dynamic relationship between human and natural systems.

Brief course description

This module introduces students to some of the fundamental science which underpins the understanding of the whole of catchment water cycle, including water quality and water treatment for human consumption.  The module introduces the properties of water (physical and chemical), as well as concepts relating to the natural hydrological cycle and the ecology of inland aquatic systems.  The module also addresses the human uses of water including water quality and water treatment and highlights the dynamic relationship between human and natural aquatic systems.  The module content will utilise case study material from the Project.  It is assumed that students have an understanding of chemical equations and stoichiometry.  This module comprises key skills that are critical for a rigorous understanding of integrated water management problems.

Course aims

This course (WATR7000) is a Foundation course of the Grad Cert., Grad. Dip. and Master of Integrated Water Management - a program addressing the specific needs of students working in water resource management in development contexts.  The Foundation courses provide students with an overview of the issues relating to integrated water resource management.

The Science of Water course gives students the theoretical overview of the basic properties of water, the components of water quality, hydrology of catchments, ecology of natural aquatic systems, human modification of aquatic systems and the storage and treatment of water for human consumption.  Throughout the course there is an emphasis on the whole-of-water cycle and adaptive management approaches.  Students will be exposed to both the theoretical and practical components of the course content, they will participate in a field day from the catchment to the coast, including a visit to a water storage, water treatment plant, and water recycling.  The course content will also be reflected against material presented through case-study exploration in the project component. 

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course, the students should be able to:

• Describe the physical and chemical properties of water
• Describe the processes that affect these physical and chemical properties with respect to water quality.
• Describe basic hydrology and catchments, and physical processes within catchments.
• Describe basic ecological processes in aquatic systems
• Measure key water quality and biological parameters in an aquatic system
• Principles of water storage and treatment
• Understand risk/integrated assessment in terms of water security.

Content organisation and learning strategies

The module content will be taught in intensive mode utilising 6 x 3 hour sessions and one full-day field trip.

The content of each 3 hour will include short presentations as well as discussions.  The overall approach will be based on Participatory Learning and Action workshops. The field trip will provide students with an opportunity for hands-on experience. In workshop-based classes (Projects), the content of this module will be discussed with respect to the case study catchments, the Chi-Mun watershed within the Mekong basin, as well as other case studies. 

 Topics include:

• Physical and Chemical properties of water
• Processes that affect the properties of water with respect to water quality
• Measurement and analysis of key water quality parameters in aquatic systems
• Hydrology and physical processes within catchments
• Ecology of inland aquatic systems
• Principles and water storage and water recycling
• Water treatment technologies
• Aquatic systems and climate change

Lecturers

Prof Paul Lant

Dr Fran Sheldon

Water, sustainability and development

(WATR7002)

You will learn the broad theories underpinning global sustainable development initiatives and how they apply to water access and use. The module highlights the links between water and development concerns, particularly poverty alleviation, public health, livelihood security and gender equity.

Brief course description

This module introduces students to some of the key perspectives on water and sustainable development in developing countries. It examines the elements and background to the so-called world water crisis and analyses current international development thinking about sustainable development and its application to water and water resources. The module encourages an analytical and critical perspective on water and development, and in doing so explores dimensions such as livelihoods and poverty, water supply and sanitation in cities, gender, community participation and water as a human right.

Course aims

This module WATR7002 is a Foundation subject of the Grad Cert., Grad. Dip. and Master of Integrated Water Management - a program addressing the specific needs of students working in water resource management in development contexts.  The Foundation subjects provide students with an overview of the issues relating to integrated water resource management.

Learning outcomes

• Explain the theoretical underpinnings and key principles of sustainable development and its application to water resources.

• Explain the key aspects and causes of the ‘global water crisis’, and its implications for development.
• Employ a range of analytical frameworks for understanding the links between water, livelihoods, poverty, and gender.
• Explain the theoretical and practical justifications for community participation in water resources development, using examples and case studies.

• Explain and have a critical appreciation of the implications of a human rights approach to water resources development.

Content organisation and teaching strategies

While short presentations will be made when appropriate, the overall approach is based on Participatory Learning and Action workshops. In considering and analysing water and development, the module introduces students to some analytical tools for sustainability and environmental analysis currently being used in international development. In workshop-based classes, the issues, approaches and analytical frameworks will be discussed and applied to the module case study, the Chi-Mun watershed within the Mekong basin, as well as other case studies.

Lecturers

Dr Bruce Missingham

Water governance and policy

(WATR7003)

This module gives you a broad understanding of international governance, legislative and regulatory frameworks, and the principles and practice of catchment-level water policy. It highlights economic instruments, water-pricing policies, allocation and property rights, equitable water distribution, and mechanisms for safeguardig marginal groups’ access to water.

Course aims

This course, Introduction to Water Governance and Regulation, is a Foundation subject of the Grad Cert., Grad. Dip. and Master of Integrated Water Management - a program addressing the specific needs of students working in water resource management in development contexts.

Water basically has three uses all of which require governance: (a) as a conservation resource for the environment; (b) as a consumption commodity for urban and rural use; (c) as a production factor in industry and agriculture.  As used in this course, the term water governance refers to the range of political, social, economic and administrative arrangements in place to ensure that these uses are met.

There is currently a consensus that globally water is in crisis, with the crisis appearing to be more a crisis of governance than a crisis of resources. The challenge facing practitioners of good water governance is to be able to draw governments, civil society and private sector commercial actors into effective networks which enhance  the development, use and management of water whilst respecting ecological integrity.

Whilst some see good water governance as essentially concerned with financial accountability and the efficient operation and maintenance of water infrastructure and services, others focus on broader questions - democracy, public accountability, human rights and effective public participation. Despite these differences there is a growing consensus that good water governance encompasses some core issues and that in the development context certain problems must be overcome.

Key problems are: poor attention to ecological requirements, fragmented institutions, inadequate management of shared resources, lack of public participation, the exclusion of women and marginal groups, inadequate investment, the absence of a payment culture, diversion of public resources for private gain, non-compliance, as well as poor enforcement of water laws and regulations. Solutions include: participation of all stakeholders, transparency, equity, accountability, coherence, responsiveness, integration and ethics (for eg. that drinking water needs have priority over other needs).

It is in this context that this course provides an introduction to the basic elements of good water governance as a component of integrated water management in countries seeking industrialisation and sustainable development. 

Topics covered  

• IWRM and good water governance – an overview
• Governance aspects -  integrated development and management of water resources (WRM)
• Governance aspects -  provision of water services (PWS)
• Diagnostic tools for analysing WRM & PWS governance
• Implementing GWG - locating the right level/scale for policy action
• Implementing GWG  - basic components of sound policy
• Implementing GWG - water entitlements, property rights & power
• Institutional issues in GWG
• Identifying and managing gender issues in GWG
• Implementing GWG – key elements  of the legal framework
• Basic  concepts of economics and finance for GWG
• Equity issues -  incorporating marginal groups

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course, the students should be able to

• Define and explain good water governance
• Identify stakeholders in the water governance arena
• Identify impediments to good water governance
• Explain the concept of water rights and entitlements and their relationship to governance
• Describe institutions that have a bearing on the development, allocation and management of water
• Describe the role of law, policy and economics in governing water
• Explain the effect of market economics on water management
• Develop basic strategies for implementing good water governance

Content organisation and teaching strategies

The module will be taught in intensive blocks over the semester, using lectures &  workshop/practical sessions.

Lecturers

Kwame Mfodwo

Dr Colin Macgregor or Dr Julia Fry

Problem-based learning projects

Working in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, you will use knowledge and skills learnt in the modules to address issues raised in national and international water management case studies.

Projects include a situation analysis and critique of an existing water management project, and the design of a project proposal to address a pressing water management issue in a real world setting.

CRICOS Provider Number: 00025B

CRICOS Codes: 059263A, 059262B, 059261C