University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

CBE543/ESE560 Sustainable Development of Water Resource Systems

Syllabus Spring 2016
Instructors: J. Anthony Sauder, PE, PG, email: sauder@seas.upenn.edu, work tel. 215-254-7765
Guest lecturers with experience in water and sanitation in the Americas, Africa & Asia

Course Description: The application of systems methodology to the design of water supply and sanitation
projects. The focus is on the designing for sustainability by emphasizing how technical solutions fit within the
appropriate social context. Case studies are used to demonstrate these principles across a range of examples
from developed and developing countries including studies from rural communities with limited resources.
Course Outcomes: By the end of this course, students will:
1. Understand the challenges facing communities in obtaining safe drinking water and managing water
resources
2. Identify practical approaches and solve basic engineering problems to develop healthy communities.
3. Understand the social requirements for sustainable engineering of water and sanitation projects for long
term improvements in quality of life.
Assignments and Grading: Weekly homework (30%). Midterm (10%) Canvas topic discussion (5%) Class
participation (5%). Group research paper and presentation evaluating social and technical approach to a water,
sanitation or hygiene project as described in a case study (25%). Final Exam (25%).
Primary Text: Mihelcic, et al, Field Guide to Environmental Engineering for Development Workers, 2009,
ASCE Press
Proposed Schedule: Dates, text chapters and lecture topics are shown below and are subject to speaker availability:
1/13
Chp 1, Case studies,
WWDR3&WWDR4
1/20
Chps 10 &17

1/27
Chps. 3,4 & 5
Case Studies
2/3
Chp. 2 & 9
2/10
Chps 11&12

2/17
Various

1. Introduction, Water, Health & Development

Introduction and overview of course objectives and topics. Why study global water & sanitation
2. Hydrology, Watersheds And Water Harvesting
Understanding community and environment with a watershed approach. Reviewing topographic
maps. Determining water balance for the watershed. Channel flow. Evaluating the feasibility of
rainwater catchment. Runoff retention and storage in semi-arid areas.
3. Participatory Assessment, Planning and Community Mapping
Facilitating assessment and planning for community ownership of project using participatory
methods. Community mapping by representative stakeholders and field survey techniques for
topographic and GPS mapping.
Introduction of case studies.
4. Water Related Health And Hygiene (Angelita Fasnacht, MPH)
Addressing pathways for fecal-oral transmission. Water borne and water washed diseases.
Engineering vs. social interventions
Selection of Case study groups
5. Design Of Gravity Water Systems
Determining water demand and source yield. Understanding system hydraulics, head losses and
energy grade line. Selecting pipe sizes, break pressure tanks, distribution storage, water tap
locations. Working with local skills and knowledge.
Case Study Outlines and Roles due
6 Elements of a Successful Community Project.
Systems methodology. Alternatives Analysis. Life cycle of a project: Problem identification,

Assessment, Design, Implementation, Final evaluation and follow-up.

2/24
Chps 15 & 16

MIDTERM
Case Study group meetings
7. Groundwater Sources Wells & Springs
Evaluating hydrogeology. Identifying existing and potential sources during community mapping.
Evaluating local technologies for accessing groundwater. Construction of spring protections and
wells.
Case Study group meetings

3/2
Various
3/9
3/16
Chp.-16.9

3/23
Chp 18
3/30
Chps. 19,
20,21,22,23
4/6

4/13
Various

4/20
Chps 6 &7

5/4

8. Water Resources Management in California (Guest Speaker)

Challenges of meeting domestic and agricultural demands while sustaining the environment
Groundwater exploitation and wastewater reuse
Submit Draft Case Study Reports
SPRING BREAK
9. Water Storage and Pumping Systems Overview
Review water systems appropriate technology. Types of hand pumps, treadle pumps, hydraulic
ram pumps, solar powered or electric pumps. Selecting a pump: appropriate technologies,
evaluating pump curves and efficiencies
10. Water Treatment
Treatment processes for a water system to render surface water potable. Difficulties in
maintaining a chlorinated water supply. Point of use filters and treatment methods
11. Wastewater treatment and Sanitation
Basic processes for treating wastewater. Working within social norms, designing latrines.
Begin Case study student presentations
12. Student Presentations
Presentations by groups on evaluation of case studies with analysis and recommendations for
scaling up and program improvements.
13. Surface Water Resources, Irrigation
(Vince Uhl, PG) Irrigation using shallow groundwater in Ethiopia. River basin and watershed
management to balance irrigation, water supply and environmental needs. Transboundary issues.
Improving livelihoods through efficient use of irrigation water.
Submit Final Case Study Reports
14. Practical Engineering, Local Resources and Entrepreneurship
Urban WASH (Dr. Arun Deb) Review examples of maximization of local resources and use of
entrepreneurship to advance equitable development. Student input on lessons learned and any
new insight on case studies (one rep. per group). Review for Final Exam.
Final Exam

Supplemental Texts and webpages:

World Development Report 2003: Sustainable Development in a Dynamic World (Paperback) by World Bank. Available online:
http://www.rrojasdatabank.info/wdr03/complete.pdf
Environmental Health Engineering in the Tropics: An Introductory Text by Sandy Cairncross and Richard Feachem, 2nd ed,
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 1993
Healthy villages: A guide for communities and community health by Howard G., WEDC, et. al, WHO 2002. Available online:
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/settings/healthvillages/en/
Engineering for Sustainable Development: Guiding Principles. The Royal Academy of Engineering, 2005. Available online:

http://rpd-mohesr.com/uploads/custompages/Engineering_for_Sustainable_Development.pdf
Toward Better Programming, A Water Handbook, Water, Environment and Sanitation Technical Guidelines Series No. 2, by
UNICEF 1999; Available online: http://www.unicef.org/wash/files/Wat_e.pdf
Sustainable WASH.org (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) resource database, a good reference for case study analysis:
http://www.sustainablewash.org/resources?field_organizational_capacity_tid=All&field_term_principle_tid=57&field_resource
_type_tid=All&page=3

Sustainable Services in WASH, the IRC approach: http://www.ircwash.org/news/quick-guide-ircs-approach