Thesis (Ph. D.)--Technical University of Denmark, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 38-41). Also available in electronic format via Internet.

Water scarcity has gained increasing awareness globally, and the small island developing states of the Caribbean, including Barbados, are not exempt from this global crisis. There is a large amount of variation to be found between Barbados' 11 parishes demographically, economically, and socially, with tourism encapsulating an especially significant sector for both the economy and water use, emphasized in certain parishes most prevalently. / Surveys were carried out in four coastal parishes and respondents were asked various water-related questions for their household. The survey addressed a myriad of issues such as water availability, quality, categorizing responsibilities of water-related tasks, as well as a number of other topics. The number of surveys conducted was equivalent to one per cent of each parish population. The chi-square test for the analysis of a two-way contingency table was conducted to determine the influence of development and gender on parish households in differential water use, access, and perceptions of water. Surveys were completed to provide clarity to the objectives of the research which were twofold: to determine whether the amount of economic, social, and physical development of a parish influences the access and distribution of domestic water to households; and to uncover gender perceptions related to water use and determine how water use patterns and water consumption vary between genders in households. / Parish development was a much stronger indicator for water usage and distribution rather than gender. All questions compared across parishes yielded at least one statistically significant response with the exception of determining whether water shortages affected lifestyles. Parish water use was highest in St. Philip (898.1 L/week/capita) and lowest in St. Lucy, (729.9 L/week/capita). The gender analysis provided statistically insignificant results except for the total respondents' water quality, and a household's satisfaction with their water situation, which were only significant for the total population and St. Lucy categories. Regarding division of labour within households, women still occupy the majority of tasks relating to water by spending on average 12.6 hrs/week on water-related domestic tasks; while males and children spend almost 5.6 hrs/week and 1.70 hrs/week respectively.

No description available.

Pastoralists tend to occupy highlands and drylands lands with uncertain climates and are experienced at coping with climatic variability and drought. Increasingly, however, the speed with which climate patterns are changing has become an issue of concern. This study examines household water management strategies of pastoralists in western Argentina. In this semi-arid region, pastoralists rely primarily on streams and springs fed by snow and glacier melt from the Andes, and have developed various strategies to meet their water needs. They also deal with myriad challenges posed by climate, economic, and socio-cultural change and work vigorously to maintain their herds – a combination of cattle, goats, and sheep – in this water scarce region. The goal of this study is to understand: 1) different household water management strategies; 2) the ways pastoral livelihoods are changing in response to changes in water supply; and 3) the socio-economic changes that affect pastoral livelihoods. Information from interviews, household surveys, and participant observations reveals that climate fluctuation impacts water supplies and use, herd size, and expenses made on tanks, technology, and infrastructure for the storage and transport of water, food for animals, and subsistence crops. Understanding the micro-scale, water practices of pastoral households provides insight into the ways rural populations in semi-arid and arid environments respond to changes in climate and meet their water needs. Moreover, these findings can contribute to scholarship on traditional and local knowledge and resource management systems, and may potentially inspire the development of adaptive management solutions.

Understanding the future of a Large Technical System (LTS) through a sociotechnical analysis is a complex notion. The authors will investigate the phenomenon by studying residential water consumption in Sweden. Although Sweden has great access to raw water, compared to many other countries, it does not justify the fact that consumption patterns have to be unsustainable. To perceive the future, one will need to have knowledge of history. Therefore, this thesis has identified 11 drivers that will affect future residential water consumption. From these 11 drivers, the authors have posed four future scenarios for residential water consumption. The top 3 identified drivers are connected to behaviour and awareness. Thus, implying individuals' responsibility and accountability will be of greater significance for the sustainable development of residential water consumption. For this research, the authors have adopted a framework based on the application of LTS, Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), Scenario building, PESTLE, and Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA). The authors have conducted a qualitative study, gathering data through a literature study and semi-structured interviews. The 18 interviewees covered a broad spectrum of knowledge, experiences, and general interest in water. By understanding the dynamics of the system and drivers, the authors will be able to present the gathered knowledge to stakeholders for possible strategic decisions. / Att förstå framtiden för ett stort tekniskt system (LTS) genom en socioteknisk analys innebär stor komplexitet. Detta kommer att undersökas genom att studera hushållens vattenförbrukning i Sverige. Även om Sverige har stor tillgång till råvatten, jämfört med många andra länder, berättigar det inte förekommandet av ohållbara konsumtionsmönster. För att öka förståelsen av framtiden måste en ha kunskap om historien. Därför har denna avhandling identifierat 11 drivkrafter som kommer att påverka den framtida hushållens vattenförbrukning. Från dessa 11 drivkrafter har författarna formulerat fyra framtida scenarier för hushållens vattenförbrukning. De tre högst rankade identifierade drivkrafterna är kopplade till beteende och medvetenhet. Detta antyder på att individens enskilda ansvar och skyldigheter är av större betydelse för en hållbar utveckling av hushållens vattenförbrukning. För denna forskning har författarna använt sig av ett teoretiskt ramverk som bygger på tillämpningen av LTS, Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), Scenario building, PESTLE and Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA). Författarna har genomfört en kvalitativ studie, där insamling av data härstammar från den genomförda litteraturstudien och 18 semi-strukturerade intervjuer. De 18 intervjukandidaterna täckte ett brett spektrum av kunskap, erfarenhet och intresse av vatten. Genom att skapa ett samband och förstå dynamiken i systemet och drivkrafterna, kommer författarna att kunna presentera den samlade kunskapen till intressenter för eventuella strategiska beslut.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Concerns about the sufficiency of freshwater supplies and the impact of water shortages have placed sustainable water management on the global agenda. This is particularly relevant in South Africa, a country with precipitation rates well below the global average and water resources that have become highly polluted. The scarcity of water for consumption use and of unpolluted water bodies as recreational and environmental good highlights the need for an economic analysis of these issues. This dissertation investigates some economic aspects of water management in the South African context in two distinctive parts. Part One (Chapters 2 to 5) aims to provide an understanding of urban water demand and analyses water pricing as demand management tool. Part Two (Chapters 6 and 7) analyses the values people attach to water resources for recreational and environmental purposes. Quantitative methodological approaches are predominantly used to inform an economic perspective on water demand management. The extent of water scarcity is discussed in Chapter Two. South Africa is approaching physical water scarcity, but many poor households do not yet have access to water and basic sanitation facilities, i.e. there is also economic water scarcity. Given this background, Chapter Three focuses on water demand management as part of an integrated water management approach. The role of water prices is discussed, in particular the Increasing Block Tariff (IBT) structure which is predominantly used in South Africa. Chapter Four estimates the price elasticity of demand for water using household water consumption records obtained from the City of Cape Town (CCT). A distinctive feature of this case study is a survey undertaken to collect household information on demographic and water-use characteristics, as water databases are severely lacking in South Africa. The results show water demand to be mostly price inelastic, which concurs with findings from international empirical literature. Furthermore, higher-income households are found to be more sensitive to price changes, thus some reduction in water consumption can be achieved by increasing marginal prices at the upper end of the IBT structure. Chapter Five analyses the IBT structure as a redistributive tool. Particular attention is given to the Free Basic Water policy of South Africa, which allows each household to receive six kilolitres of water free per month. Empirical modelling indicates that the IBT structure in its current form holds limited benefits for the poor, given the state of service delivery in South Africa: the lack of access to the water network prevents the poorest households from being the recipients of the cross-subsidisation occurring in an IBT structure. Part Two studies urban water resources as recreational and environmental goods. The literature review of environmental valuation techniques in Chapter Six places particular emphasis on the Contingent Valuation Method. This method is applied in Chapter Seven, where the value of improving the environmental quality of a freshwater urban lake is analysed in a middle- to low-income urban area. Another survey was undertaken specifically for this purpose of gauging the willingness to pay for improved recreational facilities and water quality of Zeekoevlei. The results show that low-income households do attach value to urban environmental goods, a result which adds to our knowledge of willingness to pay for environmental goods in developing countries. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Besorgdheid oor die toereikenheid van varswaterbronne en die impak van watertekorte het volhoubare waterbestuur op die wêreldagenda geplaas. Dit is veral relevant vir Suid- Afrika, 'n land met neerslagkoerse ver onder die wêreld gemiddelde en waterbronne wat hoogs besoedeld geword het. Die skaarsheid van water vir verbruik en van onbesoedelde waterbronne as ontspannings- en omgewingsproduk, beklemtoon die noodsaaklikheid vir 'n ekonomiese analise van hierdie kwessies. Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek sekere ekonomiese aspekte van waterbestuur in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, in twee dele. Deel Een (Hoofstukke Twee tot Vyf) beoog om insig te verskaf oor die stedelike vraag na water en analiseer die prys van water as 'n vraagbestuursmaatstaf. Deel Twee (Hoofstukke Ses en Sewe) ontleed die waarde wat mense heg aan waterbronne vir ontspannings- en omgewingsdoeleindes. Kwantitatiewe metodologiese benaderinge word hoofsaaklik gebruik om 'n ekonomiese perspektief op watervraag bestuur toe te lig. Die omvang van waterskaarsheid in Suid-Afrika word in Hoofstuk Twee bespreek. Hierdie hoofstuk dui aan dat Suid-Afrika besig is om fisiese waterskaarste te bereik, maar die land het ook baie arm huishoudings wat nog nie toegang tot water en basiese sanitasiefasiliteite het nie, dw.s. wat daar is ook ekonomiese waterskaarsheid. Gegewe hierdie agtergrond, fokus Hoofstuk Drie op watervraagbestuur, as deel van 'n geïntegreerde waterbestuursbenadering. Die rol van waterpryse word bespreek, veral die Stygende-Blok-Tarief (SBT) struktuur wat grotendeels in Suid-Afrika gebruik word. Hoofstuk Vier bepaal die pryselastisiteit van vraag vir water met behulp van huishoudelike waterverbruiksdata, verkry vanaf die Stad Kaapstad. 'n Kenmerkende eienskap van hierdie gevallestudie is die ingesamelde huishoudelike inligting oor demografiese en waterverbruik-eienskappe, aangesien daar ‘n groot tekort aan water-databasisse in Suid- Afrika is. Die uitslae toon dat watervraag meestal prysonelasties is, wat ooreenstem met bevindinge van ander empiriese literatuur. Verder word gevind dat hoё-inkomste huishoudings meer sensitief is vir prysveranderinge. Dus sal 'n afname in waterverbruik bewerkstellig kan word deur marginale pryse aan die hoёr kant van die SBT struktuur te verhoog. Hoofstuk Vyf ondersoek die SBT struktuur as 'n effektiewe herverdelingsmaatstaf. Spesifieke aandag word aan die Gratis Basiese Water-beleid van Suid-Afrika geskenk, wat voorsiening maak dat elke huishouding ses kiloliter water per maand verniet ontvang. Die bevindinge van empiriese modellering is dat die SBT struktuur, soos dit tans in Suid-Afrika toegepas word, beperkte voordele vir die armes inhou, gegewe die huidige stand van watervoorsiening in Suid-Afrika. As gevolg van die agterstand met betrekking tot toegang tot water, ontvang die heel armes nie die voordele van kruissubsidiёring wat plaasvind onder 'n SBT struktuur nie. Deel Twee bestudeer stedelike waterbronne as ontspannings- en omgewingsprodukte. Hoofstuk Ses verskaf 'n literatuur oorsig oor omgewingswaardasie tegnieke, met 'n spesieke fokus op die Kontingente Waardasie-metode. Hierdie metode word in Hoofstuk Sewe toegepas, waar die waarde van verbeteringe in die omgewingskwaliteit van 'n varswatermeer in 'n middel- tot lae-komste stedelike gebied ondersoek word. Nog 'n opname is gedoen met die doel om die bereidwilligheid om te betaal vir verbeterde ontspanningsfasiliteite en die waterkwaliteit van Zeekoevlei te meet. Die bevindinge toon dat lae-inkomste huishoudings wel waarde heg aan stedelike omgewingsprodukte.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the water demand of selected residential properties with access to groundwater in serviced areas of the Cape Peninsula. This winter rainfall region is typified by hot and dry summer months, corresponding to peak garden water demand. Water restrictions in the area are relatively common and primarily target outdoor use. Groundwater serves as an alternative source of water to some consumers in the area, but little is known about the extent of such use and the impact thereof on potable water demand. A major part of the area is underlain by a primary, unconfined aquifer that has been reported to have high exploitation potential. Its unconsolidated sand and shallow water table provides ideal conditions for small scale groundwater abstraction. Several owners of properties situated above the aquifer unit have capitalised on this and utilise groundwater as an alternative to potable water, mostly for garden irrigation purposes. The main objective of this research was to investigate the average extent of the expected reduction in average annual municipal water demand due to private groundwater use at the selected properties in the study area. The methodology involved abstracting data from the City of Cape Town’s registration process for the private use of non-potable water. The data was recorded between 2000 and 2006 and was available only in hard copy format. The registration data was used to identify residential properties with access to private groundwater sources, based on the physical addresses recorded on the registration forms. The rate of groundwater abstraction was not recorded during the registration process, nor was any of the properties spatially referenced. The data set contained information for 4 487 properties, of which 3 764 could ultimately be used in the analysis. Data from a recent hydro-census in Hermanus (which was done by others prior to this study) was used to test the intended research method first. This trial investigation involved only 114 properties and was used to streamline the proposed methodology for application on the full-scale analysis of the City of Cape Town data. Each address was captured electronically, verified manually and filtered to extract only those representing residential properties for which groundwater use was registered. In order to identify the properties spatially, the addresses had to be converted to coordinates through a procedure called geocoding, so as to plot each spatially and obtain the attributes such as stand size, position and the unique Surveyor General’s code. This was necessary in order to link the addresses to the municipal treasury system and obtain their latest available water consumption records using a commercial software package that incorporates consumer information. Next the actual annual water consumption figures were compared with recently published water demand guidelines based on stand size as single explanatory variable. The selected residential stands were divided into pre-defined stand size categories. The average water consumption of all the stands in each size category was calculated and compared with the suggested water demand as per the guidelines used, based on the centre value of the size range of each category. The results of the comparative analysis confirm findings from two earlier studies where lower municipal water use was reported for residential properties with access to groundwater in a summer rainfall region. The results further showed that the mean average annual potable water demand of consumers in the study area with access to groundwater was on average 31.4% lower than those considered without such access in the same region. This represents an average reduction of 333 l/stand/day (about 10 kl/stand/month) in the potable water demand of the selected residential stands. This study therefore confirms that serviced residential stands with access to private groundwater sources in the Cape Peninsula have lower average metered water consumption from the municipal supply system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op die water anvraag van geselekteerde residensiële erwe met toegang tot grondwater in gedienste woongebiede van die Kaapse Skiereiland. Die gebied is ‘n winterreënvalstreek, met warm, droë somermaande wat saamval met piek water aanvraag vir tuinbou. Waterbeperkings in die area is relatief algemeen, veral op die buitegebruik van water. Grondwater dien as alternatiewe bron vir sommige verbruikers, maar kennis oor die omvang van sulke gebruik, sowel as die impak wat dit het op die aanvraag na drinkbare water is beperk. Die grootste deel van die gebied ter sprake is geleë bo ‘n onbegrensde hoof waterdraer, met berigte hoë ontginningspotensiaal. Die ongekonsolideerde sand en hoë watertafel is ideal vir kleinskaalse grondwateronttrekking. Heelwat van die eienaars van grond wat bo hierdie akwafeer geleë is het die situasie uitgebuit en gebruik grondwater as alternatief vir drinkwater, veral vir tuinbesproeiïng. Die hoofdoel van hierdie navorsing was om die gemiddelde omvang van die verwagte vermindering in gemiddelde jaarlikse munisipale wateraanvraag weens die privaat gebruik van grondwater by die geselekteerde erwe in die studiegebied te ondersoek. Die metodiek het die onttrekking van data uit die Stad Kaapstad se registrasieproses vir die privaat gebruik van nie-drinkbare water behels. Hierdie data, wat tussen 2000 en 2006 vasgelê is, was slegs in harde kopie formaat beskikbaar. Die registrasie data is gebruik om woonerwe te identifiseer met toegang tot privaat grondwater bronne, volgens die fisiese adres verskaf op die registrasie vorms. Die tempo van grondwater onttrekking was nie opgeneem gedurende die registrasie proses nie, so ook nie ruimtelike aanwysings na die ligging van die eiendomme nie. Die datastel het inligting bevat oor 4 487 eiendomme, waarvan 3 764 uiteindelik bruikbaar was in die analise. Data van ‘n onlangse hidro-sensus in Hermanus (wat deur ander gedoen is voor die aanvang van hierdie studie) is gebruik om die beoogde navorsingsmetodiek eers te toets. Die toetsondersoek het slegs 114 eiendomme behels, en is gebruik om die voorgestelde metodologie meer vaartbelyn te maak voor toepassing op die volskaalse analise van die Stad Kaapstad data. Elke adres is elektronies vasgevang, met die hand geverifiëer, en dan gefilter om slegs die residensiele eiendomme waarvoor grondwater gebruik geregistreer is, te behou. Om die ruimtelike verwysing van die eiendomme verder te kon indentifiseer, moes die adresse omskep word in koördinate om sodoende die erwe te kon posisioneer en die erfgrootte, posisie en die unieke Landmeter Generaal kode van elke erf te verkry. Dit was nodig sodat die adresse aan die munisipale stelsel gekoppel kon word om sodoende die jongste beskikbare waterverbruik rekords te verkry deur gebruik te maak van ‘n kommersiële sagteware pakket wat verbruikers-inligting inkorporeer. Hierna is die werklike jaarlikse waterverbruik syfers vergelyk met onlangs gepubliseerde wateraanvraag riglyne, gebaseer op erfgrootte as enkel verklarende veranderlike. Die geselekteerde woonerwe is toe in voorafgekose kategorië verdeel volgens erfgrootte. Die gemiddelde waterverbruik van al die erwe binne elke grootte-kategorie is bereken en vergelyk met die voorgestelde wateraanvraag volgens die riglyne, gebaseer op die middelpuntwaarde van die grootte strekking van elke kategorie. Die resultate van die vergelykende analise staaf die bevindinge van twee vroeër studies wat laer munisipale watervebruik rapporteer vir residensiële eiendomme met toegang tot grondwater in ‘n somerreënvalgebied. Die resultate wys ook dat die gemiddelde jaarlikse drinkbare water aanvraag van verbruikers in die studiegebied wie toegang het tot grondwater, gemiddeld 31.4% laer is as dit van verbruikers wie beskou word sonder sulke toegang in dieselfde streek. Dit verteenwoordig ‘n gemiddelde vermindering van 333 l/erf/dag (rondom 10 kl/erf/maand) in die aanvraag na drinkbare water van die geselekteerde woonerwe. Hierdie studie bevestig dus dat gedienste residensiële erwe met toegang tot privaat grondwater bronne in die Kaapse Skiereiland laer gemiddelde gemeette waterverbruik vanuit die munisipale toevoerstelsel het.