Essential Guide to the UK Water Sector

Course overview

Developed by recognised industry specialists working across water, wastewater and environment, this course introduces newcomers with the background knowledge and confidence to successfully embark on their new roles within the water sector. Upon completion, delegates will be able to:

• Outline who's who in the water sector, from government departments, regulatory bodies, and supply chain, as well as organisations dedicated to those working within it.
• Describe how we ensure drinking water is of high quality and distributed effectively to a range of customers.
• Identify how wastewater is collected and treated while minimising pollution to our rivers and environmental waterways.
• Be aware of the regulations, strategies and economic factors governing the sector.

This on-demand digital learning is provided alongside a unique 1-1 mentoring opportunity* with a WRc expert. That’s right - you can gain tailored insights to the sector's past, status quo and future direction, while kick-starting your network by having an expert share their own professional journey, as well as their tips to capitalise on career development opportunities through involvement in membership organisations, academia and specialist groups. 

Who can benefit?

Delegates may include new starters to the water industry, such as student graduates and those transferring from other sectors.

Training outline

Flexible course delivery via our online leaning platform allows delegates to complete easily-digestible, interactive graphical tutorials at their own pace and around their own schedules (equivalent of 1 day's learning). Voice-over guidance provides narrations to enhance understanding; interactive quizzes boost engagement and reinforce learning objectives, and finally, downloadable guides encourage further study as well as easy reference to learned materials. 

The course price includes the exclusive opportunity for a 1 hour 1-1 mentoring session* (online video/audio call) in English with Technical Specialist from WRc at a time that suits (within normal UK working hours). This is a great opportunity for participants to reflect on what they have learned, ask any questions, and benefit from an individual discussion with a WRc expert.*

Modules include:

• UK Water Industry Structure: Outlines key roles and responsibilities within the sector, including government and regulators, the supply chain, and the diverse range of customers from households to industrial users.
• Drinking Water: An overview of sources of water and risks to drinking water quality; technology types and their purposes at UK drinking water plants; and water distribution assets, operations, and how we manage leakage.
• Wastewater: An overview of the sewer system and how it's maintained, storm overflows, and reasons for sewer flooding. An overview of how wastewater is treated in the UK.
• Environmental Water Quality: Covers permitting regulations and practices which ensure the protection of rivers, coastlines and wider environment, considering impacts such as pollution and climate change.
• Regulations, Plans and Strategies: Introduces key UK water regulations, statutory plans, and the associated reporting cycles and timescales. Also, the economic asset management planning cycle and price settlements within the water sector.

*For teams looking to incorporate this course into their business' Learning and Development programme for new starters, we can instead offer live online Q&A sessions for larger cohorts. Please get in touch via the enquiry form at the bottom of this page.