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Our Courses

Explore Global Water Center’s courses for water professionals. Click a course title to learn more.

Self-Paced Online Courses

An online course you can start anytime and complete at your own pace, with on-demand lessons available 24/7.

Introduction to the Science of Groundwater
Introduction to Groundwater Resource Management
Introduction to Borehole Drilling Projects
Risk Based Water Quality Monitoring and Management
Supply Chain for Rural Water Systems
Unlocking Carbon Financing
Introduction to Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA)

Facilitated Online Courses

An applied-learning online course delivered over a set term, with weekly learning modules, peer discussion forums and access to live facilitated sessions.

Solar Powered Water Systems: An Overview of Principles and Practice
Designing Solar Powered Water Systems
Supply Chain
Professional Borehole Drilling Procurement and Contract Management
Borehole Supervision
Risk-Based Water Quality Monitoring & Management
Advocating Groundwater Resource Management
Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting, Advanced Course

In-Person Courses

A highly interactive hands-on, in-person training led by an expert instructor, held on set dates alongside a group of peers.

A Culture of Water Quality
Operation and Maintenance of Solar Powered Water Systems for Supervisors
Operation and Maintenance of Solar Powered Water Systems for Technicians

Coming Soon!

Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting Courses

Introductory and advanced courses to help water professionals plan, measure, and communicate water benefits.
Funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation.

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Facilitated Online Course Schedule for 2027

Plan ahead for GWC’s 2027 courses. Explore the schedule by term, find the courses available in your preferred language, and check when registration and applications open.

Term 1: March 9 to April 24, 2027

Courses Offered:

Solar Powered Water Systems: Designing Solar Powered Water Systems (English/French/Spanish)

  • For: This online course is tailored for individuals with technical backgrounds involved in designing or procuring solar powered water systems (SPWS).

Supply Chain Management for Rural Water Systems (English)

  • For: Professionals involved with maintenance, logistics, procurement, or sourcing for water systems.

Professional Borehole Drilling Procurement and Contract Management (English)

  • For: This is for professionals managing or planning borehole drilling projects, funding agencies, NGOs, government water authorities, consulting and engineering firms, WASH officers, procurement staff, and others whose work influences borehole drilling or procurement.

Professionalization of Borehole Drilling Supervision (English)

  • For: This course is designed for professionals currently engaged in water resource management with a background in hydrogeology and/or 3+ years of water well drilling experience.

Course registration will be open between January 5- February 6, 2027.

GET COURSE REGISTRATION ALERTS Be the first to know when registration opens for upcoming terms.

Term 2: June 22 to August 7, 2027

Courses Offered:

Solar Powered Water Systems: An Overview of Principles and Practice (English/French)

  • For: This online course is designed for both technical and non-technical individuals involved in water supply.

Professional Borehole Drilling Procurement and Contract Management (English)

  • For: This is for professionals managing or planning borehole drilling projects, funding agencies, NGOs, government water authorities, consulting and engineering firms, WASH officers, procurement staff, and others whose work influences borehole drilling or procurement.

Professionalization of Borehole Drilling Supervision (English)

  • For: This course is designed for professionals currently engaged in water resource management with a background in hydrogeology and/or 3+ years of water well drilling experience.

Risk-Based Water Quality Management & Monitoring (English)

  • For: This course is designed for two primary audiences involved in water quality management. The first group includes service providers such as water suppliers, NGOs, private utilities, surveillance agencies, and regulators who are implementing or planning water quality management programs using sanitary inspections and testing — particularly decision makers, managers, engineers, WASH specialists, and M&E staff. The second group encompasses government agencies, drinking-water and health stakeholders, and carbon credit stakeholders responsible for verifying and validating water quality data and driving progressive action.

Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting, Advanced Course (English)

  • For: Implementers and corporate water teams. Introductory course or equivalent knowledge required.

Course registration will be open between August 10 – September 4, 2027.

GET COURSE REGISTRATION ALERTS Be the first to know when registration opens for upcoming terms.

Term 3: October 5 to November 20, 2027

Courses Offered:

Supply Chain Management for Rural Water Systems (French, Spanish)

  • For: Professionals involved with maintenance, logistics, procurement, or sourcing for water systems.

Professional Borehole Drilling Procurement and Contract Management (Spanish)

  • For: This is for professionals managing or planning borehole drilling projects, funding agencies, NGOs, government water authorities, consulting and engineering firms, WASH officers, procurement staff, and others whose work influences borehole drilling or procurement.

Professionalization of Borehole Drilling Supervision (Spanish)

  • For: This course is designed for professionals currently engaged in water resource management with a background in hydrogeology and/or 3+ years of water well drilling experience.

Risk-Based Water Quality Management & Monitoring (French)

  • For: This course is designed for two primary audiences involved in water quality management. The first group includes service providers such as water suppliers, NGOs, private utilities, surveillance agencies, and regulators who are implementing or planning water quality management programs using sanitary inspections and testing — particularly decision makers, managers, engineers, WASH specialists, and M&E staff. The second group encompasses government agencies, drinking-water and health stakeholders, and carbon credit stakeholders responsible for verifying and validating water quality data and driving progressive action.

Advocating Ground Water Management (English)

  • For: This course is designed for water sector professionals who want to understand and influence groundwater governance—not just from a technical standpoint, but through the lens of policy and advocacy.

Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting, Advanced Course (English)

  • For: Implementers and corporate water teams. Introductory course or equivalent knowledge required.

Course registration will be open between April 27 – May 22, 2027.

GET COURSE REGISTRATION ALERTS Be the first to know when registration opens for upcoming terms.

Term 4: October 11 - November 29, 2026

Courses Offered:

Note: Term 4 course offerings are currently pending funding and may be adjusted based on available resources and enrollment.

Professionalization of Borehole Drilling Supervision 

  • For: Professionals managing or planning borehole drilling projects; funding agencies; NGOs; government water authorities; consulting and engineering firms; WASH officers; procurement staff; and others whose work influences borehole drilling or procurement

GET COURSE REGISTRATION ALERTS
Be the first to know when registration opens for upcoming terms.

Have a question about a course or an upcoming term? Contact us to learn more at [email protected]

Our Course Catalog

Click a course title to see a short description.

Solar Powered Water Systems: An Overview of Principles and Practice

Facilitated Online

In this online training, you explore opportunities and risks associated with Solar Powered Water Systems (SPWS) and use the Technology Applicability Framework (TAF) to assess the use of SPWS across multiple sustainability dimensions. This course is available in English, French, and Spanish.

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Designing Solar Powered Water Systems

Self-paced

This online training provides a step-by-step tool for designing solar powered water systems (SPWS). Through practical exercises, you apply the decisions and calculations engineers use to design sustainable systems. This course is available in English, French and Spanish.

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A Culture of Water Quality

In-person

This five-day, in-person training explores water safety planning and the role each rural water utility team member plays in ensuring consumers have safe water. The course will motivate you to strengthen water quality testing and treatment in your utility.

Contact us to learn more about the cost and full course offering at [email protected]

Operation and Maintenance of Solar Powered Water Systems for Supervisors

In-person

This five day in-person training focuses on the daily and weekly operations and maintenance requirements of solar powered water systems and how to effectively train and mentor the operators running the systems in these functions.

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Operation and Maintenance of Solar Powered Water Systems for Technicians

In-person

This five day in-person training focuses on providing technicians with the skills to perform the daily and weekly operations and maintenance requirements of solar powered water systems.

Contact us to learn more about the cost and full course offering at [email protected]

Introduction to the Science of Groundwater

Self-paced

This self-paced online course explains how groundwater moves through rock, how aquifers form, and why groundwater is important to communities and ecosystems. Interactive lessons build your confidence in explaining groundwater flow, storage, and quality while preparing you for courses in groundwater resource management and borehole drilling.

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Introduction to Groundwater Resource Management

Self-paced

This self-paced online course uses documentary-style storytelling and interactive lessons to explain how groundwater is monitored, protected, and managed sustainably. By following an investigative journalist and industry experts as they examine real-world issues such as depletion, pollution, and policy, you gain practical insight into balancing scientific knowledge, governance, and sustainable resource use.

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Introduction to Borehole Drilling Projects
Self-paced

This self-paced online course introduces the key elements of borehole drilling projects, including stakeholder roles, essential terminology, common drilling methods, and equipment. It also highlights how regulatory compliance and professional conduct protect project integrity.

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Professional Borehole Drilling Procurement and Contract Management

Facilitated Online

Effective contract management helps drilling projects meet requirements and achieve stronger outcomes and yields. By the end of this online course, you will be able to evaluate drilling contracts, clarify roles and responsibilities before, during, and after drilling, and manage relationships among the drilling supervisor, contractor, and community.

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Advocating for Groundwater Resource Management

Facilitated Online

This online course explores the key issues affecting sustainable groundwater governance, including aquifer systems, monitoring gaps, policy failures, and stakeholder engagement. Through real-world examples, you develop a persuasive advocacy strategy that you can apply in your professional context.

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Professionalization of Borehole Drilling Supervision

Facilitated Online

Effective supervision helps borehole drilling projects meet contract requirements, improve outcomes, and maximize yield. By the end of this online course, you will be able to assess drilling contracts, explain the supervisor’s responsibilities before, during, and after drilling, manage relationships among the client, contractor, and community, and establish clear authority for onsite decisions.

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Supply Chain for Rural Water Systems
Self-paced Facilitated Online

This online course helps organizations shift from reactive repairs to a strategic, professional approach to maintaining rural water infrastructure. Through scenarios, practical tools, and reflection activities, you learn to strengthen supply chain management, establish preventive maintenance systems, manage logistics efficiently, and source high-quality materials.

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Risk-Based Water Quality Monitoring and Management

Self-paced Facilitated Online

Developed with the World Health Organization (WHO), this online course builds the skills needed to manage and monitor water quality using a risk-based approach. You learn to plan and conduct sanitary inspections, assess water quality, and analyze data to maintain and improve the safety of small drinking water supply systems.

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Unlocking Carbon Financing

Facilitated Online

Developed with Carbon 4 Safe Water, this online course explains how to earn carbon credits through Gold Standard certification. It covers the full process, from reducing emissions and planning budgets to implementing operational changes and meeting ongoing verification requirements.

Contact us to learn more about the cost and full course offering at [email protected]

Introduction to Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA)

Self-paced

Coming soon

A free, two-hour, self-paced introduction for water practitioners and natural resource managers new to VWBA and involved in or considering water stewardship activities. Learn why VWBA matters, how it works, and how it can apply to your organization. Finish with a structured action-planning reflection.

Funding partner: The Coca-Cola Foundation

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Advanced Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA)

Facilitated Online

Coming soon

A cohort-based course for practitioners who have completed the introductory VWBA course or have equivalent knowledge and are ready to apply VWBA in practice. Work through the six-step VWBA 2.0 process using applied activities and webinars with subject matter experts, from assessing the catchment context and calculating volumetric water benefits (VWBs) to tracking, reporting, and communicating credible VWB claims.

Funding partner: The Coca-Cola Foundation

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