The WMG Water Harvesting Certification provides a unique, hands-on 65-hour curriculum in water harvesting systems design and construction, with an emphasis on retrofitting urban areas while working in concert with the local environment.
This rigorous course include readings, written homework assignments, site assessments, outdoor workshops, and lectures. A typical day consists of a 4-5 hour workshop in the morning, followed by 2-3 hours of classes in the afternoon. WMG’s experiential approach provides students a first-person knowledge and context of water harvesting that is useful to participants in a wide variety of careers.
Curriculum Outline
1) Integrated systems design
2) Passive rainwater harvesting design and installation
- Basins
- Berms
- Swales
- French drains and infiltration features (design only)
3) Greywater harvesting design and installation
- Bathroom sinks and showers (design only)
- Laundry machine (design and installation)
4) Cistern systems design and installation
- Steel culvert cistern
- Plastic cistern
5) Sustainable Landscaping
- Fundamentals of landscape design
- Native plants
- Calculating water budgets
6) Water harvesting for food production
7) Water harvesting policy
Major course components (water harvesting earthworks, cisterns/tanks, and greywater systems) each feature:
• classroom sessions
• on-site site assessments
• hands-on installation workshops
• applied homework
Integrated systems design, sustainable landscaping, water harvesting for food production and water harvesting policy are covered both in interactive classroom sessions and are integrated into hands-on workshops. Depending on the particular course, this curriculum is either offered over the course of eight weeks or in a 9-day intensive format (see individual course announcements for exact schedules on this page).
Exam for Certification
To earn Certification (in addition to attending all sessions and completing coursework), participants must earn a 90% score on an exam administered by WMG at the end of each course. The exam is challenging, and focuses on critical thinking and practical application instead of rote memorization. Support is given throughout the course to prepare for the exam. If students do not pass the exam, they will receive personalized feedback from WMG staff and can re-test at the next scheduled test date without a fee. For more information on the meaning of Certification, click here.
Curriculum Advisory Board
A board of water harvesting professionals provides guidance on the curriculum of the WMG Water Harvesting Certification to ensure the program’s excellence and relevance in an ever-changing field. The Certification Advisory Board currently includes the following members:
• Cado Daily, Senior Program Coordinator, Water Wise Program, University of Arizona Cochise County Cooperative Extension
• Brad Lancaster, Consultant & author of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond
• Dr. James Riley, Associate Professor, Soil, Water & Environmental Science Department, University of Arizona
• Craig Sponholtz, Principal, Dryland Solutions