Introduction

Water contamination is a major threat to human health, whether it be from industrial, agricultural, or urban runoff. Coupled with inadequate access to safe water and sanitation services, this leads to impoverishment and diminished opportunities for individuals and communities. In order to reduce the levels of water contamination and minimize exposure to these substances that result in morbidity, mortality, and an overall decrease in well-being and livelihoods, there is an urgent need to develop capacity for understanding the linkages between poor water quality and adverse health.

It is essential that water-health professionals understand how to deal with these issues in order to reduce contaminant levels and human exposure through the management and protection of water sources, water supplies, and water storage. To address these many issues, the Water and Health Programme brings of a number of individual courses addressing the many issues surrounding the relationships between water and the health of people and populations.

The Water and Health Programme consists of four courses:

• Course 1: Introduction to Water and Health Course, History of Water and Civilization, and Water Management
• Course 2: Water Quality, Quantity, Contamination, and Risk and Environmental Analysis
• Course 3: Water and Wastewater treatment, Source Protection, and Advanced Methods of treatment
• Course 4: Social Perspectives on Water and Health, Governance and WASH