Intake & Outfall MBA is a specialized, practice-oriented course focused on the planning, design, construction, and management of seawater intake and outfall systems for desalination plants and wastewater treatment facilities. These systems are among the most technically complex and cost-sensitive components of water infrastructure projects, often representing a significant share of total CAPEX and sitting directly on the project’s critical path.

Delays, design errors, or poor coordination in intake and outfall systems can have a disproportionate impact on project schedules, costs, and contractual risk. Despite this, they are frequently underestimated or treated as secondary packages. This course is designed to address that gap by combining engineering fundamentals with real-world project experience.

The Intake & Outfall MBA follows the logic of an actual project lifecycle, from early surveys and data collection to detailed design and construction. Participants gain access to approximately 15 hours of on-demand video content, released progressively over four months and available throughout the year, allowing flexible, self-paced learning.

The program covers key topics such as surveys and data analysis, pre-design checklists, comparison of pipeline approaches, budgeting and cost drivers, project scheduling, detailed design considerations, special elements such as diffusers and intake screens, construction challenges, and lessons learned from real projects. In addition, participants receive practical worksheets, exclusive Water MBA sessions, and curated references to contractors, designers, and suppliers active in intake and outfall works.

The course is designed for professionals seeking to improve decision-making, reduce risk, and add tangible value to complex water infrastructure projects.

 

By the end of the Intake & Outfall MBA, participants will be able to:

Understand the full lifecycle of intake and outfall systems, from early studies to construction and commissioning.

Identify and manage key technical, cost, and schedule risks associated with these systems.

Apply structured checklists and decision frameworks to avoid common mistakes at early project stages.

 

Compare alternative pipeline and construction approaches and justify selections from both technical and economic perspectives.

 

Improve budget accuracy and schedule reliability for intake and outfall packages.

Communicate more effectively with designers, contractors, and stakeholders using a shared technical language.

Approach intake and outfall systems with greater confidence, practical awareness, and strategic insight.

Ultimately, the course prepares professionals to stand out in complex water infrastructure projects, adding value where delays and cost overruns are most likely to occur.

The Water MBA — Your Water Business School is a purpose-driven educational platform designed to help professionals grow their knowledge, skills, and impact in the global water industry. Founded and led by Ramon Rubio, who has worked across more than 20 countries in the water sector, The Water MBA shares insights, experiences, and practical learning to bridge gaps in traditional water education and support continuous professional development. At its core, The Water MBA delivers weekly articles and essays that explore real-world topics in water business, sustainability, project management, and innovation, aimed at fostering critical thinking and lifelong learning. Subscribers can unlock additional content, including deeper analyses and thematic pieces, as well as a custom video platform with interviews, talks, and case studies that bring practical challenges and solutions to life. Beyond these resources, the initiative offers specialised courses — such as intake and outfall design and a forthcoming Desalination MBA — and is building a library of books and digital products to support diverse learning preferences. The Water MBA’s mission is to make high-value water education accessible, encourage community interaction, and inspire professionals to apply knowledge meaningfully to advance sustainable water management worldwide.