>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Previous studies have shown that the use of chloride mass balance (CMB) method is a suitable and practical approach to estimate groundwater recharge. This enables the prediction of groundwater availability to inform practical strategies for managing groundwater resources. However, such studies have largely applied the chloride mass balance method on national and catchment scales with limited focus on quaternary catchment level (QCL). Neglecting the chloride mass balance method at quaternary catchment level limits practical management and utilization of water resources at quaternary catchment level. The goal of the current study was to prove that 1) the chloride mass balance method should be applied at quaternary catchment level to ensure practical assessment of groundwater availability and that 2) chloride mass balance assessment should be accompanied with supplementary methods for its application in quaternary catchments of similar physiographic and hydrogeologic conditions. To achieve these goals, the present study assessed the application of chloride mass balance method on a pilot scale used alongside rainwater infiltration breakthrough (RIB) and water table fluctuation (WTF) methods to estimate the groundwater recharge as an indicator of groundwater availability. The pilot area (PA) was in the upper Berg River catchment in Western Cape in South Africa. Chloride concentrations were determined in groundwater samples collected from boreholes and rain water in rain gauges in the pilot area. Rainfall and borehole water levels in the pilot area were used in water table fluctuation and rainwater infiltration breakthrough analyses. As quality assurance, the specific yield data obtained from the pumping test were compared to those determined with the linear regression model. This established the reliability of the analysis i.e. the relationship between groundwater level and rainfall. Mean groundwater recharge values calculated using the chloride mass balance, rainwater infiltration breakthrough and water table fluctuation methods were 27.6 %, 23.67 %, and 22.7 % of the total precipitation received in the catchment, respectively. These results indicate that the use of these three methods have potential to estimate groundwater recharge at quaternary level which is the basic unit of water management in South Africa. These findings agree with previous studies conducted in the same catchment that indicate that mean groundwater recharge ranges between 18.6 % and 28 % of the total precipitation. In the future, these methods could be tested in catchments which have physiographic and hydrogeologic conditions similar to those of the current pilot area. / African Union (AU)

Rainwater harvesting, the act of capturing and storing rain, is an ancient practice that is increasingly utilized today by communities to address water supply needs. This thesis examines whether domestic rainwater harvesting systems (DRWHS) can be a sustainable solution as defined by social, water quality, and technical feasibility for water security in semi-arid, rural environments. For this study, 50 surveys and 17 stored rainwater analyses were conducted in San Jose Xacxamayo, Mexico, in conjunction with my Peace Corps work of implementing 82 DRWHS. Results showed that all DRWHS were socially feasible because of cultural acceptance and local capacity. Water quality analyses showed that four DRWHS contained coliform bacteria; deeming water unfit for human consumption. Technical feasibility, examined through climate analyses, showed an average year-round reliability of 20-30% under current and future rainfall regime. The DRWHS can be a sustainable water supply option with roof expansion and treatment prior to consumption.

With a global population about 7 billion people and their continued growth are pressuring global natural resources, in freshwater matter this pressure is altering both the river flows; timing season of water flows; and spatial patterns in order to meet human demands both in urban as rural areas. However, water stress in urban areas are increasing and expectations by 2050 are grim with a global urban development by 70 percent moreover urbanization rate expected by 2030 in Latin America is 80 percent, thus the water concerns because of high average water consumption 220 lpd, and water leakage by 29 percent in the third largest city of Ecuador Cuenca have motivated to perform this analysis. The analysis is based on a metabolic perspective in order to determine anomalies in the urban water cycle at household level for then apply one of the tools of stormwater management in short term such as harvesting rainwater to find how feasible can be this system both individually as communally in Cuenca urban area based on criteria of rainfall, roof surface, roof material, water average consumption, and costs; in order to generate social, economic, and environmental benefits. Moreover, give recommendations and strategies in mid and long term to get an Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) model that allow ensuring the enough natural resources, environmental health, and economic sustainability for current and future demands. The main problems in the urban water cycle are in a outdated urban water management because of water leakage in the delivery network and unsuitable water pricing as well as bad consumers habits; these are affecting economically the water enterprise; nonetheless these problems are not putting in risk freshwater resources, and infrastructure capacity to meet future demands but the implementation of harvesting rainwater systems both individual as community can allow water savings by 18 percent at household level, and by 11 percent in whole water production process at city level. Moreover, the implementation can generate 750.000 job positions both direct as indirect. Finally, the risk of floods can be mitigated due to, roughly 2.88 million m3 of runoff rainwater a year are not released on rivers. To conclude, economic losses are avoiding that this money can be used to improve and maintain the current infrastructures, and development socio-technical projects in order to get a more suitable water metabolism. In other hand, encourage a harvesting culture at household level is a good strategy in short term but its feasibility is related directly to five drivers of which four can be handled such as roof surface area, roof material, domestic water consumption, and costs; in order to get most efficient systems. Finally, there are more tools and strategies to get sustainable goals in short mid and long term through an Integrated Urban Water Management model, in order to urban dwellers can move from simply consumers to a status of suppliers and managers of resources.

One of the biggest upcoming challenges to the international community is the problem of a changing climate. The earth’s surface temperature is rising and associated impacts on physical and biological systems are increasingly being observed. Science tells us that climate change will bring about gradual changes, such as sea level rise, and shifts of climate zones due to increased temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. A changing climate affects the entire world but will strike hardest against the poorest as they are the ones most dependent on agriculture which is a sector that is very vulnerable to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. One region that will be especially vulnerable and has experienced the problems of shifting climate zones before is the Sahel region that borders to the south end of the Sahara desert where problems of desertification have occurred before. This region will in large extent be affected if the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) predictions of a rising temperature will become a reality. This is one of the reasons why I have chosen Burkina Faso, situated in the south end of the Sahel region, as the objective for my MFS. The question of rising temperatures will be especially important here as the region is very sensitive to differences in temperature. A crucial topic in this part of the world as well as the topic of this study is the process of adapting to the new climatic situation.

India is a country with progressing technical and economical development, but the development is not evenly distributed. Farmers in the Indian rural areas are struggling. There are worries that climate changes could have a negative impact on agriculture. This study was performed in Kancheepuram with support from the non-governmental organization Hand in Hand. The aims of this study were to analyze effects on agriculture due to watershed management in a village and to describe the crop patterns in a village and compare the yield with a village without watershed management. Data was collected by interviewing farmers in the villages Arapedu and Tenpakkam. In Arapedu watershed management was applied and in Tenpakkam it was not. Data collected by Hand in Hand on precipitation, village records, well inventory and maps were analyzed. The water level in the wells increased in most wells between 2007 and 2008, but due to short data series it was not possible to affirm if this was due to the watershed management or increased rainfall in the early months of 2008 compared to 2007. No evidence of change in precipitation in the area was observed. Only precipitation data was analyzed since other climate data was absent. Hand in Hand was working within a broad spectrum in the village. Apart from the watershed project they are working with empowerment of women´s situation, self-help groups, microfinance and against child labor. This study period was too short to confirm effects of watershed management. However this study can be used as a baseline study for future evaluations. Key words: Rainwater harvesting, watershed management, Tamil Nadu

The diploma thesis is divided into two parts. The first theoretical part focuses on rain gutters, their distribution, operation and cleaning. The pollution, pre-treatment of rainwater and rainwater management are alco described here. The second practical part includes testing of selected street rain gutters in the institute of municipal water management laboratories (VHO). Furthermore, these rain gutters are compared and evaluated according to these criteria: filter construction, amount of captured material and cleaning system.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第20006号 / 農博第2190号 / 新制||農||1045(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H28||N5015(農学部図書室) / 33102 / 京都大学大学院農学研究科地域環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 藤原 正幸, 教授 村上 章, 准教授 宇波 耕一 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Due to the combined effect of intense rainfall events together with the expected impact of climate change, this will put pressure on the existing and future infrastructure for storm water management. One of the challenges related to this is the combined sewer system which is still operating in large areas of many cities worldwide. In Stockholm, combined sewer represents around 50% of the total sewer pipe length. In a Combined sewer system, once the conveyed discharge exceeds the system capacity, the system overflows, which can result in a diverse range of health and environmental problems. The cause of overflow has been strongly linked to runoff from intense rainfall events. Therefore, a key proposal to overcome this problem is to disconnect runoff from hard surfaces. This research aims to investigate the impact of applying a rainwater harvesting (RWH) and reuse system to collect runoff water from roof surfaces in areas with combined sewer system. A simulation water balance model for a rooftop RWH system was developed and two reuse purposes were considered, which entails toilet flushing and garden irrigation within the property. The study area consists of one building block within Kungsholmen area in Stockholm. The obtained results indicate that applying such systems can reduce runoff to the sewer system. Toilet flushing reuse shows a higher reduction impact on sewer flow than the use for irrigation. Toilet flushing reuse reduces annual runoff volumes to sewer in a range of 49.5% - 93.4% while irrigation provided reduction in a range of 11.6% - 26.3%. Regarding number of times that overflow from the combined sewer system occurs, toilet flushing reuse demonstrated reduction of 40% - 100% while 20% to 60% was reduced by irrigation reuse. For overflow volume, a reduction rate of 11% to 100% was reached through toilet flushing in contrast to 9% to 43% reduction from irrigation reuse. 19% to 37% of toilet flushing water demand was covered by the tank, while arange of 48% to 100% was covered for irrigation demand. All these parameters were found to be sensitive to change in tank size where increasing the size result in higher flow reduction rates. When considering implementing a reuse system, it is important to consider the applicability of RWH and reuse within the specific property. In areas that are under development, either of the two reuses can be considered depending on local conditions. However, in already built up area it is difficult to introduce a system that requires significant adjustment to existing pipe networks, such as reuse systems for toilet flushing. Systems for outdoor irrigation are possible to implement in most situations. When it comes to tank size, the optimal size will depend on the intended reuse, the catchment area and the objective of the system. For example, if the main objective is to reduce potable water consumption, a smaller tank can be used compared to where the main objective is to reduce sewer overflow. Hence, when considering implementing a rainwater reuse systems, each project will need to consider the local conditions as well as the individual objectives when determining the optimal reuse purpose and tank size. A cost-benefit analysis should also be considered when determining the optimal tank size for the intended use.

Off-grid houses in the United States are often connoted with mostly non-professional, home-made structures and isolated, hippie living in remote rural areas. These off-grid homeowners may also complete their consumer-independent commitment with a minimal-waste, land-dependent lifestyle that includes methodical harnessing and recycling of resources and materials, raising livestock, and productive gardening on the property. This research paper explores the background, methods and kinds of typical off-grid living structures, their ability to harness natural resources for function and performance, and the ability of its occupants to remain resilient in the face of depleting fuel resources, extreme weather patterns, and rising costs of living. The goal of this research is to propose modern and resilient off-grid housing design to exist as normalized, micro-communities within typical suburban communities in the United States. The housing prototype, sited in Dudley, Massachusetts, optimizes passive resources for heating and cooling thermal comfort, prefabricated materials for construction, and modern technology for inhabitation. Its hyper-local design incorporates building science that integrates researched techniques and philosophies from current movements of sustainable design in the United States and Canada, such as Passive House, Net Zero, LEED, and the Living Building Challenge.

This project is established on the following questions:  How can Stockholm adapt to increasing extreme rainfall events through combined stormwater drainage strategies?How can social sustainability be implemented in stormwater treatment?How can stormwater and social design educate the public about the importance of clean water bodies?  Global and national trends show that annual precipitation is increasing, and extreme weather events are becoming more common. Urban landscapes are more susceptible to cloudburst flooding due to impervious surfaces. Additionally, when the stormwater runoff reaches water bodies, it can pollute its recipients unless the stormwater is treated beforehand. Stockholm is an urbanised area with several surrounding water bodies of various sizes that are burdened by human activity, and the water quality in most water bodies is currently at an unsatisfactory ecological and chemical level.  The project site has been determined through mapping, where the accumulation of stormwater flows have been mainly considered. Another important factor is the socio-economically vulnerable aspect, to be able to tackle the social sustainability aspect. For this project, the lake Magelungen is the water body targeted, and the connected site is Hagsätra. This project is using a holistic approach to stormwater management, where the design of recreational spaces, such as parks and playgrounds, can be utilised to serve an ecological as well as a social purpose. A set of toolboxes have been set forth through research and case studies which have been contextualised in the site through sequences and strategies.