Cape Town, South Africa, falls within a winter rainfall region, making it difficult to assess the feasibility of rain- and stormwater harvesting. The reason for this is because the region’s high water demand period coincides with the low rainfall summer season, thereby limiting the availability of this alternative water resource when most needed. During this study, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing purposes, collected from roof surfaces, was practically assessed by means of inserted flow meters at a pilot study site in Kommetjie, Cape Town. The combined and single system roof- and land surface runoff yields and savings of commercial buildings within the Kommetjie business area, were also theoretically assessed by making use of a mathematical roof- and land surface runoff model specifically developed during this study. The statistical testing of the hypotheses statements relating to the pre- and post-harvesting savings at the pilot study building, compared against the average actual municipal water usage, were performed. Hypotheses testing were also performed in order to compare the theoretical rain- and stormwater runoff yields for the commercial business area against the average actual municipal water consumption. The conclusions drawn from this study indicated that valuable potable water, as well as related financial savings, can be achieved within a winter rainfall region, thereby making rain- and stormwater harvesting a feasible option for commercial businesses in Cape Town. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Management)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:21:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Flavia Blaia dAvila.pdf: 19547858 bytes, checksum: b492df89170b5f41c329295c5bc184c9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-05-26 / The research is based on an analysis of the changes that are occurring in trying to adapt the limitations of the planet facing the constant demands of humanity. After an initial analysis of the problems of growth of cities and the exploitation of natural resources, there is a major historical events and documents produced in the environmental area and presentation of a number of changes in the field of architecture and urbanism. There is then an analysis on techniques to improve the environment urban or peri-urban and feel the need to incorporate principles of ecology in planning and city management. The first technical deal with water resources and urban drainage, pointing the principles proposed for sustainable management of rainwater. In addition to these proposals, there is a land of bioengineering and fitorremedia??o, which are techniques for stabilization and recovery of degraded areas, especially in water courses. Shall be analysed then the permaculture, a philosophy that is creating scenarios in human space already offering a number of practices they consider the energy cycle of human actions, aimed at reduction of waste and ecological awareness in food production and actions of everyday life. The permaculture serves as the basis for ecological communities, called "ecovilas", which house thousands of people seeking to live with another form of relationship with nature around the world. The research is finished with considerations of these approaches, relating them and suggesting lines of future study. / A pesquisa baseia-se em uma an?lise sobre as mudan?as que v?m ocorrendo na tentativa de adapta??o das limita??es do planeta frente ?s constantes exig?ncias da humanidade. Ap?s uma an?lise inicial da problem?tica do crescimento das cidades e da explora??o dos Recursos Naturais, ? feita uma retrospectiva hist?rica dos principais eventos ocorridos e documentos elaborados na ?rea ambiental e apresenta??o de algumas mudan?as na ?rea de arquitetura e urbanismo. Apresenta-se, em seguida, uma an?lise sobre t?cnicas que visam melhoria do meio ambiente urbano ou peri-urbano e consideram a necessidade de incorporar princ?pios da ecologia no planejamento e gest?o das cidades. As primeiras t?cnicas tratam dos recursos h?dricos e da drenagem urbana, apontando os princ?pios propostos para um manejo sustent?vel de ?guas pluviais. Como complemento para estas propostas, destaca-se a bioengenharia de solos e a fitorremedia??o, que s?o t?cnicas para recupera??o e estabiliza??o de ?reas degradadas, sobretudo em cursos d??gua. Analisa-se em seguida a permacultura, uma filosofia que vem criando espa?o nos cen?rios humanos j? que prop?em uma s?rie de pr?ticas que consideram o ciclo energ?tico das a??es humanas, visando a redu??o de res?duos e a consci?ncia ecol?gica na produ??o de alimentos e a??es do cotidiano. A permacultura serve de base para comunidades ecol?gicas, chamadas ecovilas , que abrigam milhares de pessoas que procuram viver com outra forma de rela??o com a natureza pelo mundo todo. A pesquisa ? finalizada com considera??es sobre estas abordagens, relacionando-as e sugerindo linhas de estudo futuro.

Stormwater runoff has negative impacts on water resources, human health and environment. In this research the effectiveness of Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) systems is examined as a stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP). Time-based, evapotranspiration-based, and soil moisture-based irrigation scheduling methods in conjunction with RWH and a control site without RWH were simulated to determine the effect of RWH as a BMP on a single-family residence scale. The effects of each irrigation scheduling method on minimizing water runoff leaving the plots and potable water input for irrigation were compared. The scenario that reflects urban development was simulated and compared to other RWH-irrigation scheduling systems by a control treatment without a RWH component. Four soil types (sand, sandy loam, loamy sand, silty clay) and four cistern sizes (208L, 416L, 624L, 833L) were evaluated in the urban development scenario. To achieve the purpose of this study; a model was developed to simulate daily water balance for the three treatments. Irrigation volumes and water runoff were compared for four soil types and four cistern sizes. Comparisons between total volumes of water runoff were estimated by utilizing different soil types, while comparisons between total potable water used for irrigation were estimated by utilizing different irrigation scheduling methods. This research showed that both Curve Number method and Mass-Balance method resulted in the greatest volumes of water runoff predicted for Silty Clay soil and the least volumes of water runoff predicted for Sand soil. Moreover, increasing cistern sizes resulted in reducing total water runoff and potable water used for irrigation, although not at a statistically significant level. Control treatment that does not utilize a cistern had the greatest volumes of predicted supplemental water among all soil types utilized, while Soil Moisture-based treatment on average had the least volume of predicted supplemental water.

The master thesis deals with sanitation installations and gas installations in the new multifunctional building situated in Kroměříž. The theoretical part is focused on analysis of the topic. It describes in detail possibilities of rainwater management and it compares its design by both valid standarts and valid regulations. Technical part solves sanitation installations and gas installations of assigned building with the chosen option.

Diploma thesis is aimed to drainage of the sewerage and rain waters, drinkable water and fire-extinguishing water supply and supply of the gas to the gas appliances. Theoretical part is dealing with the sewerage water and its usage. Technical part is dealing with the building water distribution to sanitary installations and gas installations in the chosen solution.

This diploma thesis deals with selected parts of the construction technology project of an office building with a hall in Brno. The thesis contains a technical report, the coordination situation of the construction, the time and financial plan, the study of the main technological stages, the project of site equipment, the design of the main building machines and mechanisms, the time schedule, the budget, the technology prescription of flat single-roof, the quality control and test plan, the assessment of lifting mechanism selection and the design of rainwater capture for further use.

The master thesis focuses on the design of sanitary and gas installations in the particular aparthotel building in Pec pod Sněžkou. It is an aparthotel with two underground and max six above-ground floors incl. a gallery. The upper floors of the towers are used for accommodation. A parking lot and wellness area are situated on the first underground floor. On the second underground floor there is a technical background of the building, shops and a small restaurant for guests. All the roofs and terraces of the aparthotel are made to be green. The calculation part and the project contain the design of the sewerage, water supply, gas pipeline and their connection to the existing engineering networks. The theoretical part deals with increasing the pressure in the indoor plumbing, incl. design of equipment for increasing the pressure in the particular building.

The aim of this master´s thesis is the elaboration of project documentation for kindergarten with almost zero energy consumption. The project consists of three main parts. The first part is devoted to the civil engineering design of the building. The building is designed regarding to architectural expression, quality of made and type of use. The kindergarten is designed with capacity of 48 children split into two departments. The second part is devoted to the design of HVAC systems. The building uses mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, heating is provided by two gas boilers and the need of electricity is provided by a photovoltaic system. Captured rainwater is used effectively. The third part values the building regarding the method of multi–criteria analysis. For this evaluation uses national method SBToolCZ.

Diploma thesis contains a design the plumbing and gas installations in the industrial building. The theoretical part deals with the use of rainwater in the building as the process water and the experimental determination of the flow rate and water needs for the manufacturing and storage hall with built-office. The calculation part deals with the design of variants of plumbing and gas installations in the building manufacturing and storage hall with built-office. The practical part contains a design and project documentation of selected variants plumbing and gas installations in the manufacturing and storage hall with built-office, and the use of rainwater in this type of building.

PhDENV / Department of Hydrology and Water Resources / Geothermal springs are natural geological phenomena that occur throughout the world. South Africa is endowed with several springs of this nature. Thirty-one percent of all geothermal springs in the country are found in Limpopo province. The springs are classified according to the residing mountain: Soutpansberg, Waterberg and Drakensberg. This study focused on the geothermal springs within the Soutpansberg region; that is, Mphephu, Siloam, Sagole and Tshipise. The study was aimed at elucidating on the isotopic signatures and trace metals concentrations from the geothermal springs to their environmental media in Soutpansberg region. This study also assessed the interconnectivity of the isotopic signatures within the ecosystem and evaluated the potential human health risks associated with trace metals from geothermal springs and surrounding soils in the study areas. Geothermal springs and boreholes were sampled for a period of twelve months (May 2016 – May, 2017) to accommodate two major seasons in the study areas. The surrounding soils were sampled vertically from a depth of 10 cm to 50 cm for trace metals and isotopic compositions. Three different plants were sampled at each of the study sites, namely, Amarula tree, Guava tree and Mango tree at Siloam; Acacia tree, Fig tree and Amarula tree at Mphephu; Amarula tree, Lowveld mangosteen and Leadwood tree at Sagole; Sausage tree, Amarula tree and Acacia tree at Tshipise. To achieve the objectives, the physicochemical, geochemical and isotopic compositions of the geothermal springs, boreholes, soils and vegetation were analysed using ion chromatography (IC) (Dionex Model DX 500), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), HTP-Elemental analyzer, Liquid water isotope analyzer (LWIA-45-EP) and Liquid scintillation analyzer. The temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), pH and total dissolved solid (TDS) of the geothermal springs and boreholes samples were measeured in situ and in the laboratory. Trace metals analysed in geothermal springs, boreholes, soil and vegetation include Beryllium (Be), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Arsenic (As), Selenium (Se), Cadmium (Cd), Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Vanadium (V), Zinc (Zn), and Mercury (Hg). vii | Isotopic signatures and trace metals in geothermal springs and their environmental media within Soutpansberg Results obtained from this study in the studied geothermal springs and boreholes were classified according to their temperature as hot and scalding; except for tepid boreholes. This study has provided comprehensive physicochemical, geochemical and isotopic compositions of the geothermal springs within the Soutpansberg region (Siloam, Mphephu, Sagole and Tshipise). The local meteoric line (δD = 7.56δ18O + 10.64) was generated from rainwater in Vhembe district. This is a crucial component for depicting the source and flow path of the geothermal springs/boreholes; and could be used for future isotopic hydrological studies within the locality. Rain formation processes within Soutpansberg occurred under isotopic equilibrium conditions with minor evaporation effect during rainfall. The δD and δ18O values of the geothermal spring water/boreholes confirm that the waters are of meteoric origin, which implies that rainfall is the fundamental component of these groundwaters because they were derived from the infiltration of rainwater, with significant contribution of another type of water in the deeper part of the aquifer. Na-Cl and Na-HCO3 were established as the water types, which are typical of marine and deep groundwaters which are influenced by the ion - exchange process. The reservoir/aquifer temperature of these springs ranges between 95 – 185°C (Na-K geothermometer), which implies most of the waters are mature water (not native). Hence, geothermal springs water is a mixture of the rainwater and salt water. Radiocarbon values of the geothermal springs ranged from 2700 to 7350 BP, this implies that they are submodern and a mixture of submodern and modern waters. Tritium relative age also corroborates with radiocarbon age, that is the groundwaters were recharged before and after 1952. This gives an indication that the rainfall contributes to the geothermal springs recharge. Various radiocarbon correction models were employed and constrained by tritium relative age. Ingerson and Pearson, Eichinger and Fontes and Garnier correction models have been shown to be the most appropriate models for radiocarbon correction of groundwater in this semi-arid region. Although, geothermal springs water and boreholes are not fit for drinking due to high fluoride content, they could be used for the following: domestic uses (drinking exclusive) due to its softness, direct heating in refrigeration, green-housing, spa, therapeutic uses, aquaculture, sericulture, concrete curing, coal washing and power generation. In contrast with mentioned uses, viii | Isotopic signatures and trace metals in geothermal springs and their environmental media within Soutpansberg the studied geothermal springs are currently used for domestic purposes (drinking inclusive), limited irrigation and spa (swimming and relaxation). This is an eco-hydrological study that shows the interconnectivity of isotopic signatures among water (rainwater, geothermal springs and boreholes), soils and vegetation. The soil-water reflects the rainwater/geothermal springs water in isotopic composition, which is more depleted as a result of isotopic fractionation in soil. δD values of soil-water increase, whereas δ13C values in soil-water decrease with the soil depth at all sites. Two equations connecting δD and δ13C in soil-water were deduced per season for soil-water; δ13C = 0.0812δD - 10.657 in winter; δ13C = -0.0278δD - 21.945 for summer. δ13C in soil-water is induced by Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) (mixture of C3 and C4 photosynthetic cycles) with a stronger C4 trend, which corroborates with δ13C of the geothermal springs. From literature, Amarula and Acacia trees have been documented for isotopic compositions, while this study has given additional information on other plants including Lowveld, Leadwood, Sausage, Fig, Guava and Mango trees. These plants are categorised as C3, C4 and CAM plants. C3 plants include Amarula, Lowveld and Leadwood trees; C4 plants include Acacia and Sausage trees; and CAM plants include Fig, Guava and Mango trees. This study shows that with CAM soils, there is a possibility of having either C3, C4 or CAM vegetation. This finding has shown that the δD and δ13C isotopes in water, soil and vegetation are interrelated, which has been statistically justified. This study has shown the potential human health risks associated with trace metals concentrations from geothermal springs and their surrounding soils. From the geothermal spring’s water, it was found that As, Cr and Cd were the highest contributors to the cancer risk with children having a higher risk than adults. Whereas in soils, it was found that Cr, As and Co were the highest contributors to the cancer risk in the studied communities. Therefore, the cancer risk is high in the general population; that is 1 in 72-162 individuals in children and 1 in 7-107 individuals for adults. The ingestion route seems to be the major contributor to excess lifetime cancer risk followed by the dermal pathway. Therefore, proper monitoring and control measures to protect human health, particularly in children, should be implemented for safety. The study also explored the use of surrounding trees ix | Isotopic signatures and trace metals in geothermal springs and their environmental media within Soutpansberg for phytoremediation and found their uptake capacity to be high, thus, they could be used as bio-indicators to assess the level of contamination of trace metals in the soil. In conclusion, this study has eludicated on the isotopic signatures and trace metals concentrations from the geothermal springs and their surrounding soils and vegetation within Soutpansberg. This study has contributed towards the advancement and enhancement of the existing knowledge of the geothermal systems, such that water resource management could be applied successfully in the respective areas with similar characteristics for the benefit of the local communities and society at large. Hence, this study recommends that proper monitoring and control measures need to be put in place to protect human health, especially in children. / NRF