Water Management

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

Water is probably the most important resource for humanity, yet its availability on Earth is limited. Although the Earth has a large amount of water, most of it is not directly usable, as freshwater is unevenly distributed across time and space. This leads to situations in which some regions experience an excess of water while others face scarcity. Additionally, human activities significantly affect both water quantity and quality. Humans have historically worked on water management to increase its availability. For instance, we modify the hydrological cycle through various interventions (e.g., river flow alterations, dam construction, groundwater extraction, changes in land use and vegetation cover, and irrigation) to increase water quantity. At the same time, we manage chemical pollution (e.g., through wastewater treatment) to improve water quality.

In this course, we will explore key aspects of the hydrological cycle and water management across environments ranging from humid to arid. We will examine the importance of water for ecosystems, landscapes, and human societies, and discuss the main processes regulating the hydrological cycle. Throughout the course, we will engage in exercises to analyse different components of the hydrological cycle and assess the effects of climate and human activities on water systems in the Netherlands, Europe, and other parts of the world.

The course is divided into two parts. Part 1 consists of lectures and exercises on hydrological processes and human-water interactions. Part 2 involves a computer modelling exercise, in which we will learn to apply a model to a specific water catchment: the Rhine watershed.

Study materials

Literature

• J. Holden: Water Resources - An Integrated Approach; We will read several of the books chapter (same book as for Challenges for the Blue Planet).

   

  Additional reading materials will be provided through Canvas.

Practical training material

• Provided during the course

Software

• R

  Aquacrop

Objectives

• Has obtained knowledge of hydrology, water resources and the hydrological cycle and components, including the behaviour of water in the soil.
• Understands the physical principles behind hydrological processes and the function of these processes in landscapes.
• Understands how these processes can be applied in water management applications in a societal context and is familiar with the basics of urban water management systems.
• Is able to analyse the consequences of human interventions and climate on local and global hydrology.
• Understands the health consequences emerging from water and pollutants and management (and mismanagement).
• Can apply the principles of water resources and management in case studies.
• Can apply conceptual and computer models in water management and hydrological response at various environmental conditions and scales (soil, landscape and large catchment).
• Can synthesise the knowledge gained from the theoretical perspectives and practical examples with the results obtained from the modelling exercise.
• Can work collaboratively in groups to analyse data and discuss their interpretation, demonstrating effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Can lay down the findings from the modelling exercise in a well-structured written report.
• Can communicate the results clearly and effectively through an oral presentation.

Teaching methods

• Computer lab session/practical training
• Presentation/symposium
• Lecture
• Fieldwork/excursion
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Supervision/feedback meeting
• Computer lab session/practical training

10 sessions of 2-4 hours each that combine lectures and practical training. An assignment after every session will be assessed for LOs 4, 6, 7, and 8.

3 computer lab sessions of 4 hours each. These sessions will train understanding, analysing, and applying the concepts discussed during the course and will be assessed for LOs 7-10, with a final presentation testing LO 11.

Participation in lectures and practicals is mandatory since they are tightly related and the only way to be prepared for the exam. Participating and submitting the exercises on time is necessary to pass the course .

Independent preparation of classes and assignments is also necessary to follow the sessions (details on self-study materials presented during course introduction).

Learning activities

Attendance

Additional requirements for this course:

For this course, attendance is mandatory for the workgroups and computer sessions. The learning objectives 1-7 and 3-11 are addressed during workgroups and computer sessions, respectively. The guidance and exercises during the workgroups and computer sessions are essential for achieving these learning objectives. These learning objectives are assessed in the exam, project report and presentation.

If students miss more than one session in each part (part 1 or part 2) without a valid justification, they will fail that part of the course. Justifications for absence must be emailed to the course coordinator before the start of the class. Excuses received after the session will be considered unexcused absences.

Both the exam and the presentation are mandatory and constitute an important part of the final grade. If students miss either of these components, they will receive a zero for that part.

Assessment

The digital exam covers material from Part 1, including lectures, reading materials, and practicals.

Students must complete exercises and assignments given during the practicals. Teachers will inform them about what, how, and when to upload these assignments on Canvas. Students will self-review these materials. Submitting the assignments is necessary to participate in the exam.

Assessment of Part 2 consists of a written report and a presentation on a modelling project, which must be completed as a group.

Assessment diagram

Students that were enrolled in the course in previous years

If students failed the course last year, they may keep their previous marks for any parts in which they scored ≥ 5.5.

This means that if students only failed the exam, they may take only the exam (Part 1) this year. If students failed the modelling exercise (Part 2), they must redo the group project, as well as prepare and present the written report.

Assignments

There will be reading assignments in preparation for the classes, and exercises to be completed during and/or after the class (assessed).

Feedback will be provided via materials uploaded to Canvas and through class discussions.

The assignment for part 2 will be described in a separate document, published on Canvas.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Additional information

Knowledge of R is not mandatory but strongly recommended (e.g. obtained from the course Programming in R). If students don't know R, they should complete an online tutorial (materials provided in Canvas)

R should be installed before the start of the second part of the course (part 2).

• Downloading Software: you can download software from https://student.uva.nl/en/information/free-downloadable-software-for-uva-students.
• Support for software installation and other:
  • Contact: laptops-fnwi@uva.nl
  • Software support: Tuesday and Thursday at B1.16 (right from the library desk)
  • Borrow a laptop: FNWI students can rent a laptop (and others) at the library desk for a day. See details here: https://student.uva.nl/en/information/borrowing-a-laptop-and-other-hardware

It is important that everyone feels safe at the UvA and Future Planet Studies. We are committed to providing social safety, so we offer various forms of support to students experiencing inappropriate or unsafe situations. Consult the UvA website or Future Planet Studies Canvas page for more information and contact info.

Last year's student feedback

In order to provide students with some insight into how we use the feedback from student evaluations to enhance the quality of education, we decided to include the table below in all course guides:

Contact information

Coordinator

• A. Carles Brangarí

Staff

• A. Carles Brangarí
• Philipp Grammel MSc
• L.C. Kingma MSc
• Elisabeth Krueger