A Research Report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg, February 2016 / A growing population, rapid urbanisation, and climate change are increasing the pressure on water supplies. The chances of finding new freshwater sources for urban areas are becoming nearly impossible, implying that existing water supplies must go further to satisfy the basic need of potable water. Water reclamation involves the treatment of wastewater to meet defined water quality standards so that it may be reused. Direct potable reuse refers to the introduction of wastewater, which has been treated to meet specified standards, directly into the potable water supply distribution system. Water reuse has become an attractive alternative since wastewater is constantly being produced by populations, which can be treated for reuse. This study examines the sustainability of water reclamation for potable purposes, through an assessment of the Beaufort West Water Reclamation Plant, which includes interviews with the plant manager and process controllers, as well as a review of the relevant documentation. The study employs the use of economic, environmental and societal indicators as a tool in determining the sustainability of water reclamation. The results of the research show that direct potable reuse may be a sustainable solution to reducing the stress on water resources, although certain aspects of the reclamation process require further development in order to progress toward sustainability. In order to provide a long term solution, water reclamation will have to be implemented in conjunction with other water conservation strategies. / MT2017

This report examines water supply planning issues in San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio is unique among large cities in the United States in that it relies almost exclusively on a single source, the Edwards Aquifer, for its water supply. Because San Antonio’s water demand is projected to outgrow the Aquifer’s capacity, the city must consider other options to extend and augment its current water supply. After describing the hydrogeology and water supply history of San Antonio, this report explains the multitiered water planning structure and current and future water needs for the city. It then studies and evaluates three short-to-mid term water supply options. By continuing to develop its already successful water conservation programs and water reclamation system, San Antonio can delay the need for more costly and environmentally impactful water supply options down the road, and wisely manage the resources it already draws from. / text

Wastewater treatment is traditionally considered a separate part of an industrial activity, hardly connected to the production units themselves. It is nowadays essential to ensure that the quality of water is not degraded and that water that has been polluted is purified to acceptable levels, especially in a country with scarce water resources such as South Africa. Where water quality is concerned, Zero Effluent Discharge (ZED) is the ultimate goal, in order to avoid any releases of contaminants to the water environment. The push towards ZED in South Africa is also promoted further by the South African Government’s plan to reduce freshwater usage and the pollution of water sources due to the water scarcity in a semi-arid South Africa. Future legislation will see a marked increase in the cost of freshwater usage and/or a possible limitation of the quantity of freshwater available. There is a need in the South African Industry for a framework of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in order to provide interested stakeholders, which include not only industry, but also academia, environmental interest groups and members of the public, with a procedure to meet the ZED statutory requirements. This dissertation explores the regulatory requirements and current environmental management practices implemented. A framework of BMPs to successfully attain ZED status in South African industries is developed from the literature study and the researcher’s own experience. The BMP framework embodies practices for one integrated strategy within three dimensions. The three dimensions of the BMP framework were selected to differentiate between BMPs for management (Governance BMPs), the project management team responsible for ZED projects (Project Management BMPs) and the implementation of preventative and operational measures to obtain and sustain ZED compliance for South African industries. The BMP framework was validated against the practices applied by Mittal Steel. The Mittal Steel plant in Vanderbijlpark implemented various projects, reduced the intake of water and eliminated the discharge of effluent and by doing this successfully realised their ZED status. The BMP framework will enable South African industries to develop their own BMPs Manual which should be specific to their operational and environmental requirements. The implementation of these BMPs should be tailored and used accordingly to demonstrate compliance to ZED requirements in South African industries. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Wastewater treatment is traditionally considered a separate part of an industrial activity, hardly connected to the production units themselves. It is nowadays essential to ensure that the quality of water is not degraded and that water that has been polluted is purified to acceptable levels, especially in a country with scarce water resources such as South Africa. Where water quality is concerned, Zero Effluent Discharge (ZED) is the ultimate goal, in order to avoid any releases of contaminants to the water environment. The push towards ZED in South Africa is also promoted further by the South African Government’s plan to reduce freshwater usage and the pollution of water sources due to the water scarcity in a semi-arid South Africa. Future legislation will see a marked increase in the cost of freshwater usage and/or a possible limitation of the quantity of freshwater available. There is a need in the South African Industry for a framework of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in order to provide interested stakeholders, which include not only industry, but also academia, environmental interest groups and members of the public, with a procedure to meet the ZED statutory requirements. This dissertation explores the regulatory requirements and current environmental management practices implemented. A framework of BMPs to successfully attain ZED status in South African industries is developed from the literature study and the researcher’s own experience. The BMP framework embodies practices for one integrated strategy within three dimensions. The three dimensions of the BMP framework were selected to differentiate between BMPs for management (Governance BMPs), the project management team responsible for ZED projects (Project Management BMPs) and the implementation of preventative and operational measures to obtain and sustain ZED compliance for South African industries. The BMP framework was validated against the practices applied by Mittal Steel. The Mittal Steel plant in Vanderbijlpark implemented various projects, reduced the intake of water and eliminated the discharge of effluent and by doing this successfully realised their ZED status. The BMP framework will enable South African industries to develop their own BMPs Manual which should be specific to their operational and environmental requirements. The implementation of these BMPs should be tailored and used accordingly to demonstrate compliance to ZED requirements in South African industries. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

La presente tesis propone el desarrollo de un ecolodge que permita a los turistas mantener una relación directa con la naturaleza del lugar y la cultura de la comunidad. Para ello, se ha optado por una construcción bio sostenible que logre la integración con el entorno y ofrezca el confort adecuado. Se decidió por esta tipología ya que ha demostrado ser la respuesta más idónea del cuidado climático e identidad cultural. El proyecto se caracteriza por promover la conservación de la naturaleza y la promoción de actividades turísticas que no generen un impacto alto. El terreno elegido se encuentra en el km 75.5 de Huancayo a 7km del pueblo de Izcuchaca y presenta una accesibilidad óptima. Está dentro del distrito de Ahuaycha, Provincia Tayacaja, departamento de Huancavelica. Como énfasis se toma el reciclaje y la gestión racional del agua como condicionante de la arquitectura, es así que el reciclaje del agua condiciona la arquitectura del ecolodge adaptándolo con parte del diseño de este. Asimismo, esta agua reciclada durante su recorrido crea con su presencia distintos espacios que generan diversas sensaciones en las personas. / This thesis proposes the development of an ecolodge that allows tourists to maintain a direct relationship with the nature of the place and the culture of the community. For this, a bio-sustainable construction has been chosen that achieves integration with the environment and offers adequate comfort. This typology was decided upon as it has proven to be the most efficient response to climate protection and cultural identity. The project is characterized by promoting the conservation of nature and the practice of low-impact tourist activities, through forms, materials and construction resources of the place. The chosen land is located at km 75.5 of Huancayo, 7 km from the town of Izcuchaca and has optimal accessibility. It is within the district of Ahuaycha, Tayacaja Province, department of Huancavelica. As an emphasis, recycling and rational management of water is taken as a conditioning factor for architecture, so water recycling conditions the architecture of the ecolodge, adapting it with part of its design. Likewise, this recycled water during its journey creates with its presence different spaces that generate different sensations in people. / Tesis

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Tourism and Hospitality Management in the Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / The objective of the research study was to investigate how effective an eco initiative to recycle water and food waste would be when implemented in selected Cape Town hotels. Earthworm farms are able to convert organic food waste into usable compost as an alternative to landfills. Harvesting rainwater as a direct method for the reuse of waste water makes it possible to store captured rainwater for future use. This serves as an alternative source of surface water. The study further investigated whether implementing these initiatives would be successful as a future endeavour. Environmental movements were the instigators of the high demand for recycling initiatives. These movements aimed to address the deteriorating quality of water supplies, as well as growth in landfills. In South Africa, a decrease in the availability and quality of surface water has been coupled with an annual increase of 3.7 % in the demand for water. Landfills furthermore release toxic smoke when burned. Within the Hospitality Industry, travelers are increasingly seeking out environmentally friendly hotels as part of their corporate travel policy. This has occurred as a result of the increased focus on environmental initiatives by the International community. The researcher therefore aimed to provide practical examples of how existing theory regarding these initiatives is applicable to operations within hotels. The research methodology was determined through analysing the research strategy, the design and the research instruments. The research strategy was based on gathering facts relevant to the theory of the study. A descriptive approach was therefore adopted as the “-what-” question that was asked when measuring data to answer the research questions. The research design utilised a multi-strategy approach whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered. This resulted in questionnaires, interviews and case studies forming part of the research instruments. The researcher found it effective to corroborate the findings from both quantitative and qualitative data: that is, the findings from the questionnaires were enhanced by the findings from the interviews. The case studies were conducted to provide a practical context to the theory. Recommendations have been made according to technological and social developments. Ultimately, this study illustrates the success of eco initiatives aimed at recycling water and food waste produced by selected hotels in Cape Town and a reduction in the waste generated by the hotels.