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Infrastructure Systems in Urban Water Management
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:42:19
Abstract
An increasing demand for infrastructure management skills can be observed in the environmental engineering practice. This course gives an introductory overview of infrastructure management skills needed for urban water infrastructures, with a specific focus on pipe deterioration and engineering economics.
Objective
After successfully finishing the class, the participants will have the following skills and knowledge: - They can perform basic engineering economic analysis - Know the typical value and costs involved in running a wastewater infrastructure - Know the key principles of infrastructure management - Know how to quantify the future rehabilitation demand
Content
The nationwide coverage of water distribution and wastewater treatment is one of the major public works achievements in Switzerland and other countries. Annually and per person, 135,000 kg of drinking water is produced and distributed and over 535,000 kg of stormwater and wastewater is drained. These impressive services are done with a pipe network with a length of almost 200,000 km and a total replacement value of 30,000 CHF per capita. Water services in Switzerland are moving from a phase of new constructions into one of maintenance and optimization. The aim today must be to ensure that existing infrastructure is professionally maintained, to reduce costs, and to ensure the implementation of modern, improved technologies and approaches. These challenging tasks call for sound expertise and professional management. This course gives an introduction into basic principles of water infrastructure management. The focus is primarily on Switzerland, but most methods and conclusions are valid for many other countries.
Resources
Lecture Notes
The script 'Engineering Economics for Public Water Utilities' can be downloaded on the course website:http://www.sww.ifu.ethz.ch/education/lectures/infrastructure-systems
Literature
See the reading resources on the course website: http://www.sww.ifu.ethz.ch/education/lectures/infrastructure-systems
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Information
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC , NDS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 180 minutes
- Aids
- Open book with no restrictions on written material. All calculators having no possibility of external communication are allowed.
- Digital
- The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Infrastructure Systems in Urban Water Management |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Elective Modules (For all majors.)
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EM: Water Infrastructure Planning and Stormwater Management (Elective Module for Majors "Environmental Technologies", "Resource Management", "River and Hydraulic Engineering" and "Water Resources Management".)
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MAS in Sustainable Water Resources (The Master of Advanced Studies in Sustainable Water Resources is a 12 month full time postgraduate diploma programme. The focus of the programme is on issues of sustainability and water resources in Latin America, with special attention given to the impacts of development and climate change on water resources. The programme combines multidisciplinary coursework with high level research. Sample research topics include: water quality, water quantity, water for agriculture, water for the environment, adaptation to climate change, and integrated water resource management. Language: English. Credit hours: 66 ECTS. For further information please visit: )