Water Loss Management

One of the primary goals of sustainable water management in public water supply systems is to reduce water losses and maintain them at an acceptable level. Water losses occur in all water supply systems and vary significantly in amount. According to current data, the average water losses in public water supply systems in Croatia are around 50% of the extracted water quantities, and similar situations are reported globally by the World Bank. This indicates that the efficiency of an average water supply system in capturing and distributing water to end consumers is about 50%. This inefficiency represents a massive loss of water as a resource, energy, and ultimately money invested in the energy required for water pumping through the supply system and treatment, as well as in repairing the failures in the water supply network. If the value of water losses is expressed in monetary terms, it is estimated that approximately 15 billion USD is lost annually on a global scale.

The primary goal of the specialist study program is to train participants, primarily engineers in technical fields, but also other personnel, including public water service providers and interested individuals aspiring to become professionals in water loss management. The program aims to equip them with the ability to independently analyze water loss issues and to plan and implement technical solutions for reducing and controlling water losses in existing water supply systems. Through lectures, exercises, practical field, and laboratory work, participants will acquire basic and advanced knowledge and skills necessary for planning and implementing all required technical measures to improve the efficiency of water supply systems in the context of water losses, ultimately leading to reduced financial expenses.

Upon completion of the university specialist study program, the academic title of Specialist in Water Loss Management (spec. aq. dam.) is awarded.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The study program is open to individuals who have completed an appropriate university graduate study program or an integrated undergraduate and graduate university study program in the field of technical sciences. Additionally, individuals who have completed a professional graduate study program are eligible, provided they pass differential exams and have at least five (5) years of work experience in the field relevant to the study program.

Exceptionally, the program is also open to individuals who have completed the aforementioned studies in other scientific fields, provided they pass the required differential exams.

Applicants apply to the program based on a public call for applications issued by the Faculty no later than May 1st of the current year for the upcoming academic year.

STUDY PROGRAM

The obligations of students include attending classes, taking exams, creating programs and seminars, and working on the final specialist thesis. Instruction is delivered in the form of lectures, auditory exercises, design exercises, and practical exercises. Students are required to enroll in 5 mandatory courses and 1 elective course.

A total of 60 ECTS credits must be accumulated in the program, with at least 30 ECTS credits obtained from coursework and exams, and 30 ECTS credits from the final specialist thesis.

The program is completed over one (1) year, divided into two semesters. In the first semester, classes are organized, and in the second semester, students work on their final specialist thesis.

Students are required to complete the program within a maximum of two (2) years from the date of enrollment.

Specialist Thesis

Students must submit the topic of their final specialist thesis upon enrollment in the second semester. The accepted topic is awarded 5 ECTS credits.

After accumulating 30 ECTS credits from coursework and completing the final specialist thesis, the student initiates the evaluation process for the thesis. The Evaluation Committee, which may be the same as the one that approved the topic, reviews the completed thesis. A positively evaluated thesis is awarded 15 ECTS credits.

A candidate whose thesis is positively evaluated has the right and obligation to publicly defend their work. The thesis is defended in the language in which it is written. A successful defense is awarded 10 ECTS credits.

Competencies Acquired Upon Completion of the Program

Upon completing the program, students will acquire a range of general and specific competencies. These include the ability to analyze issues within water supply systems, synthesize information, and practically apply acquired knowledge to solve identified problems. Students will develop the capability for independent and team work in detecting and controlling water losses, the ability to create hydraulic mathematical models, and the skills to design and implement various technical solutions for water loss control using creative thinking. The aim is to equip students with the skills necessary to manage the quality of water supply system operations based on all relevant information.