A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Engineering, 2019 / Water is the basic necessity for all living organisms. About, five million people specifically children are dying each year due to dehydration or use of toxin infected water around the world. In South Africa approximately seventeen percent of the population do not have access to safe drinking water. Considering all of these challenges it is evident that monitoring the quality of water is important for providing safe and clean water. Several researchers have shown that the parameters related to the quality of drinking water can be monitored effectively in the field. To accurately determine the quality of water it needs to be tested for many parameters. Measuring all possible parameters can be a daunting task. It is very costly and time consuming at the same time. There is also research available in which researchers have proposed remote monitoring of water quality based on fewer parameters in a given water sample to conclude whether or not the given sample was safe for drinking. This has met with limited success. There is however very limited or no scientific evidence available to validate the effectiveness of the selected fewer parameters to determine the quality of drinking water. The research presented in this dissertation proposes a list of fewer parameters that are monitored to determine the quality of water. The effectiveness of those parameters in determining the quality of drinking water has been verified by conducting a detailed analysis on a number of water samples in a laboratory environment. The research has also proposed a system that is capable of monitoring those parameters remotely. This enables the water supplying authorities to determine the basic quality of water without testing it in the laboratory environment resulting in a decreased time and lower cost. / TL (2020)

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, 2019 / Water is a key element linked to challenges such as food security, economic development, energy generation and climate change. South Africa experienced its driest year on record in 2015, together with one of the largest cities, Cape Town, almost running out of water in 2018. The likelihood of increased drought in the future coupled to climate risks makes it imperative to attend to water security concerns within the country. The business sector needs to pay more attention to water issues given its reliance on water for operation. This study explores how South African companies that are dependent on water respond to water security concerns linked to increased demand and variability. Focusing on the potential of the CDP Water reporting process to promote improved water stewardship practices. A mixed methods approach is used including a detailed investigation of CDP Water report data and interviews. Companies are unique in their responses, their perception of water risk hence determines their responses to the risk. Many companies showed misalignments between their company strategy, governance and practice in water decision making that further calls into question their water stewardship in addressing water security concerns. Although water stewardship is highlighted as an opportunity for various companies, engagement in practices that promote stewardship is low. In the pursuit of water stewardship practices and improved water management, context becomes key. By companies conducting comprehensive river basin assessments, it assists in addressing and engaging water risks in a local context. Beyond CDP reports and interviews, an underlying outcome has emerged that calls for effective sustainability/ environmental strategic planning in environmental departments within companies. Communication becomes an essential tool even though creating a business case around risk is not unique to water. An emphasis is then needed at Board level on effective leadership within a company to transform the way they view their water related risks and turn them into opportunities. To bring these findings together, archetypes were created based on company ‘water stewardship readiness.’ The archetypes encompassed the likelihood of companies engaging in water stewardship practices as this is seen as one of the best ways forward for business to assist in securing water in the country. The notion of a water champion to tackle water related risks and lead opportunities brings to light the value of education and creating individuals, regardless of their field of interest, with the understanding and knowledge that resources such as water are limited. Environmental issues should be embedded within these individuals for appropriate decision making given the current state and future projections of not only water, but environmental concerns going forward. / TL (2020)

In recent years South Africa has experienced numerous service delivery protests. These protests are a result of the lack of delivery of basic services such as water and sanitation (amongst others). To address this, local governments have taken part in benchmarking initiatives (National Benchmarking Initiative, Municipal Benchmarking Initiative) and regulation programmes (BlueDrop,GreenDrop) in an effort to improve the quality of potable water and sanitation services. The latter of these focuses on the quality of the water services delivered and neither focus on the efficiency with which this delivery is achieved. This study uses both nonparametric (data envelopment analysis) aswell as parametric (stochastic frontier) methods to assess the efficiency of water service provision in South Africa over a six year period from 2005 to 2010. Subsequently, the method which is most suited for use in the South African context is proposed. In addition, this study demonstrates how these methods can be used to determine the effectiveness of benchmarking initiatives, namely the National Benchmarking Initiative, in improving the efficiency of water service provision. Furthermore, additional insight into the selection ofm in them out of n bootstrap procedure for efficiency evaluations is established through a simulation study. The inclusion of efficiency evaluations into South African benchmarking initiatives provides new and important insight into the standard of water service delivery. As such, the techniques used in this study illustrate how efficiency analysis can enhance benchmarking initiatives in South Africa.

This research study explored the appropriate sustainable governance management systems for South African socio-economic conditions. This was achieved by investigating the current governance and management of water boards in performing their business and water services provisioning at municipal level. Municipalities are the third sphere of government in South Africa and are found at local levels of governance. They are businesses that provide running water as legislated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Water boards are public institutions established in terms of the Water Services Act, 108 of 1997 (WSA) and listed as Schedule 3 part B: National Government Business Enterprise in terms of the Public Finance Management Act 29 of 1999. They are accountable to the national government through the Department of Water Affairs. Their responsibility is to support municipalities where water-provisioning challenges are eminent. They report annually to national parliament on their performance within a specific financial year. Water boards are currently able to perform their operations in selected jurisdictions as contracted by municipalities. They are struggling in managing and governing their water business while striving to achieve improvements in water service coverage, operating efficiency and service delivery. The aim of the research study was to investigate areas affecting the sustainability of governance management systems for water boards in relation to the improvement of service delivery in South Africa. The analysis of age and gender factors and the conditions affecting governance are explored. The research used the qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse the research questions. Prior to the commencement of the study, the researcher performed an intensive desktop study involving the use of dated and recently published material related to governance and management of the water institutions in developed and developing countries. During the desktop study, national and international accredited journals were prioritised to obtain related and relevant similar information to the water governance and management of water institutions. In addition, a case study was undertaken in Ficksburg in which water boards provided an intervention in resolving the water crisis, since the provision of water is a basic service at local government. This area experienced both water shortage and a poor quality of water. With regard to qualitative methodology, participatory forums were used to delineate the research context and premise. The study population consisted of individuals who were in the business of water boards with special reference to water management and board of directors for a population of 1 000. Of the 500 questionnaires sent out, 419 were returned. The data were analysed using the statistical software package, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results and recommendations are presented based on the identified objectives of the study. The study’s findings provide information for transformation and improvement in the performance of water boards in South Africa when striving for sustainability in management and governance. The findings reveal the need for improvements in the involvement of females in the business of the water boards. The findings confirm the outcomes of previous studies regarding the slow implementation of affirmative action and transformation processes as required by legislation. Furthermore, the results reveal that the factors and conditions affecting sustainability of the water boards need to be prioritised to improve the management and governance aspects of water boards. These include the appropriate selection of members of the boards of directors, water boards' committees that are guided by legislation in their operations and the maintenance of proper financial management (collection of revenue, implementation of appropriate financial strategies and striving for positive clean audit). Water boards are encouraged to strengthen their intergovernmental relations in order to make their mandate known across all spheres of government. Service delivery should be approached “from source to tap and tap to source” to promote high-quality provision of water. The water boards should be accountable to the municipalities for the provision of delegated operations. The Department of Water Affairs exercises an oversight role to ensure the sustainable provision of the services. However, the study concludes that without a strong management and a sustainable governance approach, water boards will not be able to carry out its water developmental mandate. The practical framework that was developed in this study provides management and governance tools for sustained provisioning of water to advance transformational and developmental needs and the application of legislations. The results in the study have a direct impact on the codes of practice and regulations on employment equity in implementing the Employment Equity Act of 1998, Intergovernmental Relations Act of 2005, Companies Act of 2008, National Water Act of 1998, and Water Services Act of 1997. Therefore, the practical implementation of this framework will enhance water as a transformational and developmental feature in addressing the social, environmental and economic services.

Inadequate resources have always been suspected to be the main cause of persistent poverty and underdevelopment in many developing countries. Water is one such resource that is not readily available to many in South Africa. South Africa is a water-scarce country; access to adequate water provisions requires expensive infrastructure which can only be provided by the Government for most of the population. It is not certain whether there is a direct link between access to water and development or poverty alleviation. This study evaluated the impact that state water provision has on development especially in rural communities. The study concluded that there is indeed potential for community development where there is improved access to water. Findings further revealed the nature of several other variables that have significant roles in the relationship between access to government provided water and development. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Inadequate resources have always been suspected to be the main cause of persistent poverty and underdevelopment in many developing countries. Water is one such resource that is not readily available to many in South Africa. South Africa is a water-scarce country; access to adequate water provisions requires expensive infrastructure which can only be provided by the Government for most of the population. It is not certain whether there is a direct link between access to water and development or poverty alleviation. This study evaluated the impact that state water provision has on development especially in rural communities. The study concluded that there is indeed potential for community development where there is improved access to water. Findings further revealed the nature of several other variables that have significant roles in the relationship between access to government provided water and development. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Balancing water demand and supply in South Africa involves high levels of uncertainty. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is responsible for making decisions to either increase water supply or decrease water demand so as to ensure that sufficient water is available, when and where it is needed. However, no retrospective analyses of such decisions have been found. One way to assess such decisions is to evaluate the associated costs and benefits thereof. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to evaluate the costs and benefits of selected water supply options, and of the decision-making associated with those options. In order to achieve this purpose, four case studies were analysed within a mixed-methods research paradigm, which used both quantitative and qualitative methods, including unit reference value (URV) analysis, inter- and intra-case analysis and content analysis to examine the success of the decisions made. The four case studies were conducted on the Inyaka, Nandoni, Berg and De Hoop dams and their catchments. Firstly, estimated and actual project costs were compared using unit reference analysis and inter-case analyses. Secondly, the reduction of mean annual runoff (MAR) caused by invasive alien plants (IAPs) and the cost of clearing them in the dam catchments were evaluated using inter-case analyses. Information thus gathered was used together with data from DWS documentation and the results of interviews with ten key specialists, to analyse the decision-making process that led to the decision to build De Hoop Dam (the most recent case study). The rational decision-making model (RDMM) was used as a framework within which to analyse and evaluate this decision-making process. This study has also demonstrated how the RDMM can be used to assess decision-making associated with water supply development. The results of this study show that there is considerable variation of estimated costs (at the time that the decision to build the dam was taken) in relation to the actual costs of building the dams and that Ministers were not put in a position to understand the full long-term costs or the opportunity costs of the proposed dams. Furthermore, the most recent IAP data (2008) shows that the impact on water security by IAPs could not offset the water security resulting from building each of the four dams. However, if IAP management is not continued in these catchments, the projected reduction of MAR by IAPs will compromise water security within 45 years. Given the almost exponential spread and densification of IAPs, together with their long-term impact on MAR and increased costs of controlling them, it is clear that IAP management should have been factored into water supply decision-making from the outset. In the analysis of the decision to build the De Hoop Dam, the results show that while the decision-making process that culminated in the decision to build the dam did not follow the steps of the RDMM, DWS appears to have followed a somewhat similar approach. It was found that while there was a need for the provision of additional water in the Olifants catchment, this need was overstated and the resulting overestimation caused the scale and size of the dam to be larger than it could and probably should have been. Additionally, it appears that DWS‘s decision to build the De Hoop Dam themselves, rather than having it built by the private sector, may have been less than optimal. It is recommended that, in future decision-making, DWS needs to incorporate multiple alternative options into the same solution, and to ensure that decision-makers are put into a position to make informed decisions, including adequate consideration of externalities. Furthermore, DWS needs to employ decision-making models such as the RDMM to facilitate retrospective analyses to improve their institutional knowledge. Keywords: water resources management, dams, invasive alien plants, decision-making, unit reference values, rational decision-making model.

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, 2016 / The Newcastle Local Municipality (NLM) has been experiencing water supply interruptions since 2010 due to high demand. Between June 2011 to December 2011, water losses ranged from 49% to 62% (about 23 to 30 megalitres per day) in Madadeni and Osizweni townships (Newcastle East). The suburban areas (i.e. Newcastle West) also experienced water interruptions due to collapsing and/or aging infrastructure. About a thousand households in Madadeni were involved in this study to find the cause of the high water losses. Awareness campaigns, repairing household leaks, installation of intelligent meters and the increase of free basic water in indigent households from 6kℓ to 12kℓ per month reduced water losses from about 246 kℓ to 177kℓ per month. If similar Water Conservation (WC) and Water Demand Management (WDM) could be rolled out to the 35 000 households in the NLM and similar results to those in Madadeni are attained, conservative water saving of about 21Mℓ per day could be achieved. This would reduce the demand on the Ngagane Water Treatment Works (WTW) by 20%. / CK2018

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation presents aspects of the public policy process in South Africa with specific reference to water policy between 1994 and 1999. For the purposes of this research, the definition of water policy coincides with the government's definition as contained in the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), the Growth, Employment and Redistribution Programme (GEAR), white papers, bills and legislation. Water policy is a broad subject and is approached from a social sciences focus in this study, in that it uses the fulfilment of human needs as a point of departure. Water policy that applied before 1994 was based on water legislation of 1956, as well as some eighty different Acts that were fragmented between a number of institutions. The focus was on water rights, linked to property rights from which the majority of South Africans were excluded. In the implementation of policy attention was mainly paid to engineering achievements. The acknowledgement that water resources are limited in South Africa, as well as in the rest of the world, and the increasing demands on these sources, focused the attention anew on responsible water policy. Since South Africa's transition to an inclusive political democracy in 1994, a variety of far-reaching changes took place with regard to political decision-making and the public policy process. Not only did the policy-making process change, but policy goals, actors, structures and organisations also changed. It is clear that the policy agenda differs significantly from that of the period preceding 1994. In this study, the context within which policy renewal took place in South Africa since 1994, has been presented, and the policy process that new water legislation was subjected to, is described. The role of policy actors and communities - in line with the principles of the Constitution of 1996 that encourage public participation in the democracy - is considered. The implementation of the new water policy could unfortunately not be evaluated as it has only been promulgated a year ago. This study serves as an introduction to a research area which has received little attention thus far and that has potential for further research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word aspekte van die openbare beleidproses in Suid-Afrika ondersoek met spesiale verwysing na waterbeleid tussen 1994 en 1999. Waterbeleid is vir die doeleindes van hierdie studie omskryf soos in die regering se HOP, GEAR, witskrifte, wetsontwerpe en wetgewing. Waterbeleid is 'n breë onderwerp wat in hierdie studie vanuit 'n sosiaal wetenskaplike hoek benader is, naamlik dat daar aan basiese menslike behoeftes voldoen moet word. Die waterbeleid wat voor 1994 gegeld het, was gebaseer op die Waterwet van 1956, asook wetgewing wat oor tagtig wette versprei was en deur 'n aantal instellings gefragmenteer is. Die klem het geval op waterregte, gekoppel aan eiendomsregte waarvan die grootste deel van die Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking uitgesluit was. Klem is ook gelê op ingenieursprestasies in die uitvoering van beleid. Die besef dat waterbronne wêreldwyd en in Suid-Afrika beperk is met toenemende aansprake wat daarop gemaak word, het opnuut die aandag op verantwoordelike waterbeleid gevestig. Sedert Suid-Afrika se oorgang na 'n inklusiewe politieke demokrasie in 1994 is verskeie verreikende veranderings ten opsigte van politieke besluitneming en die openbare beleidproses ingestel. Nie alleen het die beleidmakingsproses verander nie, maar beleidsdoelwitte, -akteurs, -strukture en -organisasies het ook verander. Kortom, die beleidagenda verskil van die periode voor 1994. In hierdie studie is die konteks van beleidvernuwing in Suid-Afrika na 1994 geskets, en die beleidproses waardeur nuwe waterwetgewing gegaan het, is beskryf. Die rol van beleidakteurs en -gemeenskappe - in lyn met die beginsels van die Grondwet van 1996 wat openbare deelneming aan die demokratiese bestel aanmoedig - is ondersoek. Die implementering van die nuwe waterbeleid kon egter nie geëvalueer word nie, aangesien dit skaars 'n jaar gelede gepromulgeer is. Hierdie studie dien as 'n inleiding tot 'n navorsingsveld wat steeds braak lê met moontlikhede vir verdere navorsing.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A vast literature on the incompatibility of socio-economic development and environmental conservation (also referred to as sustainable development) has developed over the past few years. This study takes on the form of a critical, problemdriven discussion and evaluation of the applicability and viability of the concept of capacity-sharing to the current South African water management regime. Within the study, the complexities involved in the shift from a supply- to demandoriented management strategy are examined in depth. This transition in strategy proves to be problematic for water policy makers and managers because of past management regimes and structures, measurement related problems, incorrect or insufficient definition of criteria needed for demand-oriented approaches and the emotional complexities regarding water use. Developments in water policy are currently at a point where problems are experienced regarding the practical implementation of proposed water demand-oriented policy. The concept of capacity-sharing is explained and discussed in detail, leading to the identification of the applicability to three of the most important problems (basic contradiction within the 1998 National Water Act, initial allocation for market adoption and equity within the market) faced within the transition towards a demand-oriented approach. This study found that the concept of capacity-sharing does hold applicability in addressing the above-mentioned three problems towards the transition to a demand-side management approach. Capacity-sharing, therefore, should be part of this timely transition and the state should make use of the advantages of this concept. To support this view, seven studies are proposed for further research to address the problems as mentioned in section 5.2 of the thesis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Uitgebreide literatuur aangaande die onversoenbaarheid van sosio-ekonomiese ontwikkeling en omgewingsbewaring (ook volhoubare ontwikkeling genoem) het oor die afgelope paar jaar ontwikkel. Hierdie studie neem die vorm van 'n kritiese, probleemgedrewe bespreking ten opsigte van die toepasbaarheid en relevansie van die konsep van kapasiteitsdeling binne die orde van huidige Suid Afrikaanse waterbestuur, aan. Die vele aspekte van die klemverskuiwing van 'n aanbod- na 'n vraag-georiënteerde waterbestuur-strategie, word ook beklemtoon. Hierdie oorgang is problematies vir waterbeleid-formuleerders en bestuurders as gevolg van vorige waterbestuur-ordes en strukture, meetbaarheid georiënteerde probleme, foutiewe of onvoldoende definieering van watergebruik-regte en die emosionele kompleksiteite van water. Tans, word probleme rakende die praktiese implementering van voorgestelde vraag-georienteerde waterbeleid ervaar. Die konsep van kapasiteitsdeling word in detail verduidelik en bespreek waarvandaan die toepasbaarheid op drie van die belangrikste probleme (basiese kontradiksie binne die 1998 Nasionale Waterwet, aanvanklike verdeling van water gebruik regte vir opname binne die mark en die kwessie van regverdigheid binne die mark) vir die oorgang na 'n vraaggeoriënteerde strategie geïdentifiseer word. Die studie het bevind dat die konsep van kapasiteitsdeling wel relevansie ten opsigte van die bogenoemde drie probleme tydens die oorgang na 'n vraag-georiënteerde strategie, inhou. Kapasiteitsdeling behoort dus deel te vorm van die oorgangsfase na 'n vraag-georiënteerde water bestuur strategie en die staat behoort gebruik te maak van die konsep se voordele. Ter ondersteuning hiervan word sewe studies voorgestel vir verdere navorsing ten opsigte van die probleme soos geïdentifiseer in afdeling 5.2 van die tesis.