These themes are also covered within CEHE’s highly successful taught programme (MSc, PG Diploma) in Water and Environmental Engineering, which attracts students from all over the world, as well as professionals from the UK water industry and environment sectors. Research projects are completed by the MSc students as an integral element of the programme, often on a collaborative basis with industry.

CEHE is a designated World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for the Protection of Water Quality and Human Health (with the Robens Centre for Public and Environmental Health), and is part of the UNICEF WASH cluster group of relief agencies as a centre of excellence in water and sanitation. CEHE provides support to overseas governments through international agencies (WHO, PAHO) and relief organisations (such as Oxfam and MSF). Research and training projects have been completed by CEHE staff in at least 45 countries. Strong contacts are also maintained with UK and European water utilities (notably Thames Water, Southern Water and Stadtwerke Karlsruhe).

CEHE, together with Thames Water, has been active in setting up Water-e, a website to put information into the public domain regarding drinking water treatment, with an emphasis on developing country applications. The website which is accessible via www.surrey.ac.uk/water-e/ currently provides guidelines on design, construction and operation of slow sand filters.