Postgraduate Diploma in Alternative Water Harvesting (Fog and Urban Rainwater)
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in Alternative Water Harvesting (fog and urban rainwater). 8 modules covering UNE-EN 16941-1 (on-site rainwater harvesting systems), Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive) and EPA SWMM. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Alternative Water Harvesting (Fog and Urban Rainwater) — studying from the United States
Civil and transportation engineering is a large and visible sector in the United States, supported by federal infrastructure investment and active state and municipal programs. Major firms such as AECOM, Jacobs and Kiewit work on highways, bridges, rail and water systems nationwide. Rail engineering, centered on corridors in the Northeast, Midwest and California, is expanding with passenger and freight modernization. Smart city initiatives in cities like Pittsburgh, Boston and Austin integrate sensors, data platforms and digital twins into infrastructure planning and operations.
Fees for the United States: US$1,220 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
What US professional bodies and licences apply to civil and rail engineering?
In the US, civil engineers can obtain the Professional Engineer (PE) licence from state boards, which is often required for public infrastructure sign-off. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is the main professional body. Rail is overseen federally by the Federal Railroad Administration. SEIUM's private qualifications are not official degrees or PE-equivalent credentials, so employers and licensing boards decide any recognition.
Do US civil, rail and smart-city employers value private online engineering qualifications?
US public agencies and engineering firms typically require ABET-accredited degrees, PE licensure for certain roles, and relevant project experience. A private online qualification can support specialist knowledge in areas such as smart infrastructure, but it is not a standard requirement for licensed roles. Its usefulness depends on the employer's policies and on your practical background.
Can a US professional study this part-time while working, and what does the commitment look like?
Yes, the programmes are online, taught in English, and do not require a student visa. The time commitment is about 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, or 300 hours for a specialist course, so planning is important. Each student has an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers sponsor training, so check with yours.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify unconventional water resources.
Explain the physics of fog water harvesting.
Design fog collectors adapted to each site.
Size urban rainwater utilisation systems.
Integrate sustainable urban drainage solutions.
Define treatment according to the intended use of the water.
Assess the economic and social viability of a harvesting project.
Who it's for
- Water resources engineer who wants to specialise in Alternative Water Harvesting (fog and urban rainwater).
- Sustainable urban drainage technician who wants to specialise in Alternative Water Harvesting (fog and urban rainwater).
- Water development cooperation consultant who wants to specialise in Alternative Water Harvesting (fog and urban rainwater).
- Designer of rainwater utilisation systems who wants to specialise in Alternative Water Harvesting (fog and urban rainwater).
- Municipal environmental technician who wants to specialise in Alternative Water Harvesting (fog and urban rainwater).
- Community water project manager who wants to specialise in Alternative Water Harvesting (fog and urban rainwater).
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter water management.
What you'll work with
- UNE-EN 16941-1 (On-Site Rainwater Harvesting Systems)
- Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive)
- Technical Building Code, DB HS 5 (Drainage)
- Directive (EU) 2020/2184
- EN 752 (Drain and Sewer Systems)
- ISO 46001 (Water Efficiency Management)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Water balance and urban water stress1.2Typologies: fog, dew, rain and runoff1.3Climatology of advective and orographic fogs1.4Intensity-duration-frequency curves1.5Atmospheric water quality1.6Legal framework for stormwater use1.7Rainwater harvesting systems under UNE-EN 16941-11.8Experiences in Chile, Peru, Morocco and the Canary Islands1.9Manageable demands: irrigation, cisterns and consumption1.10Case study: inventory of alternative resources in a city
2.1Droplet microphysics and liquid water content2.2Aerodynamic and deposition efficiencies2.3Raschel meshes and next-generation meshes2.4Shading coefficient and porosity2.5Biomimetic and hydrophobic surfaces2.6Influence of wind speed and direction2.7Dew harvesting by radiative cooling2.8Atmospheric water generators by condensation2.9Yields in litres per square metre per day2.10Laboratory: mesh efficiency testing
3.1Site survey and selection3.2Standard fog gauges and measurement campaigns3.3Structure, anchorages and wind loads3.4Gutters, pipework and storage tanks3.5Large-area fog collectors3.6Mesh maintenance and repair3.7Durability against UV radiation and salinity3.8Integration with reforestation3.9Installation and operating costs3.10Workshop: design of a fog collector field
4.1Catchment surfaces: roofs and pavements4.2Runoff coefficients by material4.3First-flush diversion devices4.4Filtration and prior sedimentation4.5Sizing the storage tank4.6Pumping and dual supply4.7Installations in residential buildings4.8Public facilities and industrial estates4.9Achievable potable water savings4.10Practical: sizing a tank for a school
5.1Sustainable urban drainage systems5.2Green and blue roofs5.3Permeable pavements5.4Infiltration trenches and vegetated swales5.5Rain gardens and structural tree pits5.6Detention ponds and wetlands5.7Modelling with SWMM5.8Urban aquifer recharge5.9Control of first-flush pollution5.10Case study: redesign of a street with SUDS
6.1Contaminants in fog and rainwater6.2Microbiological risks in storage tanks6.3Disinfection with UV and chlorine6.4Small-scale membrane filtration6.5Potable and non-potable uses according to quality6.6Sanitary requirements of Royal Decree 3/20236.7Remineralisation of condensation water6.8Legionella prevention in installations6.9Self-monitoring plan6.10Laboratory: analysis of urban rainwater samples
7.1Cost-benefit analysis of alternative systems7.2Municipal tariffs and rebates7.3Community management of fog collectors7.4Sustainability indicators7.5Maintenance and allocation of responsibilities7.6Municipal stormwater ordinances7.7Climate finance and cooperation7.8Monitoring with IoT sensors7.9Communication with users7.10Case study: management model for a rural community
8.1Site and demand selection8.2Climate analysis of fog and rainfall8.3Choice of harvesting technologies8.4Design of collection and storage8.5Treatment according to intended use8.6Budget and economic analysis8.7Operation and maintenance plan8.8Management model and indicators8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is EPA SWMM, QGIS, HEC-HMS, advanced Excel, R, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures from fog-gauge measurement campaigns, roof water balances and quality analysis of harvested water. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Identify unconventional water resources.
Explain the physics of fog water harvesting.
Design fog collectors adapted to each site.
Size urban rainwater utilisation systems.
Integrate sustainable urban drainage solutions.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme works with EPA SWMM, QGIS, HEC-HMS, advanced Excel and R. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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