Much public attention has been given lately to the concept of sustainability, a notion which is increasingly viewed as a desirable goal of viticulture development and environmental management. The emergence of the sustainability concept has seen a concomitant rise in the interest of its measurement. It has been suggested that through the analysis of regulatory and non-regulatory methods, the attainment of how sustainable freshwater use in vineyards can be assessed. Regulation has to date been the policy tool of choice in regards to environmental protection. While regulation is often necessary, non-regulatory approaches may, in some circumstances, serve as useful supplements to an effective regulatory regime. There are a number of stages to achieving the aim of this research. The first is designed at galvanising New Zealand‟s will to stride out down the sustainability road through the development of the sustainable vineyard concept. Investigations into regulatory freshwater policies were undertaken to assess the relative efficacy of such methods in guiding vineyards in sustainable freshwater use. The research then explored the elements of freshwater use as they relate to non-regulatory methods for achieving sustainable environmental outcomes. Qualitative research was undertaken through the instigation of an email questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to provide an understanding of freshwater use in vineyards within Marlborough. The research focuses on the discussion of the methodological considerations which are important in developing a working framework for assessing how vineyards achieve sustainable freshwater use. The ideal properties and characteristics of sustainability are identified and critically examined. An evaluation of the different types of regulatory and non-regulatory policies on freshwater management are considered. Both regulatory and non-regulatory methods were seen to be significant in developing an operational framework, as they are capable of representing the management of freshwater use and sustainability practices in vineyards. It is observed that the policy goal of both regulatory and non-regulatory organisations in achieving sustainable freshwater outcomes generally cannot be attained to the full satisfaction of all the dimensions of sustainability. Rather, sustainable freshwater use could be considered as a „road‟ and not a fixed destination. Along the way, trade-offs and balances have to be made. It is up to individual vineyard managers to weight the various alternatives, with the policy and decision makers providing information upon which rational choices can be based. This research demonstrates the efficacy of regulatory and non-regulatory methods in guiding sustainable environmental outcomes. It appears that the „ideals‟ of policies, as outlined in the literature and data collected, recommend an overall adaptive management approach if achieving sustainable freshwater use is the ultimate goal.

<div>This dissertation focused on examining the potential unintended consequences of sustainability on drinking water quality at the tap. The rising trend in water conservation awareness has given rise to the use of water-efficient appliances and fixtures for residential potable water systems. The first study (Chapter 1) characterized the microbial dynamics at a water-efficient residential building over the course of one year and examined the effects of water stagnation, season, and changes in physicochemical properties on the occurrence of opportunistic pathogen markers. When rainwater harvesting is utilized as an alternative water resource in buildings, a combination of municipal water and rainwater is typically required to meet water demands. However, altering source water chemistry can disrupt pipe scale and biofilm and negatively impact water quality at the distribution level. The second study (Chapter 2) in this dissertation evaluated the potential water quality consequences of using intermittent supplies of municipal water and rainwater within building plumbing systems. Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes are considered by some to be more sustainable than copper pipes and are commonly installed in building plumbing. The goal of the third study (Chapter 3) was to better understand chemical release from commercially available PEX pipes, to characterize toxicological characteristics of the contact water, and to compare microbial growth potential among the three pipe types. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many commercial and office buildings were closed for extended periods of time, allowing water age to increase over the course of several months. Heightened water age is often associated with an increase in chemical and microbial contamination. The objective of the fourth study (Chapter 4) was to evaluate the impacts of an extended COVID-19 related building closure and stagnation on water quality. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of flushing and shock chlorination remediation strategies on water quality at the tap. </div><div><br></div><div>This dissertation contains four chapters and each chapter is a single manuscript. The first two chapters have been published.</div><div><br></div><div>“Drinking water microbiology in a water-efficient building: Stagnation, seasonality, and physiochemical effects on opportunistic pathogen and total bacteria proliferation.” (Chapter 1) Utilizing a residential building that had been retrofitted with low-flow fixtures, the unintended water quality consequences of increased stagnation in low-flow plumbing were evaluated over a year long period. The study results indicated that microbial growth and potential opportunistic pathogen markers, Legionella and Mycobacterium spp. were detected at higher levels within the home as compared to the municipal water main. Reduced water usage induced longer stagnation times and longer stagnation times were correlated with an increase in Legionella spp., Mycobacterium spp., and total cell counts.</div><div><br></div><div>“Impacts of Municipal Water−Rainwater Source Transitions on Microbial and Chemical Water Quality Dynamics at the Tap.” (Chapter 2) Altering source water chemistry can disrupt pipe scale and biofilm and negatively impact water quality at the distribution level. Still, it is unknown if similar reactions occur within building plumbing following a transition in source water quality. To date, no prior studies had evaluated the water quality impacts of transitioning between rainwater and municipal groundwater sources in low-flow plumbing. The study revealed that influent water chemistry impacted rates of metal release from plumbing. Because of differences in source water treatment and water chemistry, rainwater and municipal water uniquely interacted with building plumbing and generated distinctively different drinking water chemical and microbial quality profiles. </div><div><br></div><div>“Contaminant Leaching and Toxicological Assessment of Drinking Water in Contact with Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipes.” (Chapter 3) Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plastic water pipes are increasingly being installed instead of copper pipes for conventional and green building construction. Unlike metal pipe, PEX pipe is easier to install and not vulnerable to corrosion. However, potential health concerns associated with PEX pipe are: 1.) the organic contaminant release that occurs during its service-life, 2.) increased microbial growth compared to metal pipes, and 3.) compound toxicity. Our study goal was to better understand chemical release from commercially available PEX pipes, to characterize toxicological characteristics of the contact water, and to compare microbial growth potential among the three pipe types at varying chlorine concentrations. Results indicated that PEX contact waters did not affect the neurobehavioral development of zebrafish, but affected development in the zebrafish model. Further studies should be conducted to determine how influent water chemistry impacts carbon migration and the water’s toxicity.</div><div><br></div><div>“Water quality during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of flushing and shock chlorination strategies in reducing building water problems.” (Chapter 4) The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread “stay at home” orders across the United States. As a result, many office buildings, schools, and commercial buildings were left empty, allowing water age within the plumbing to increase dramatically. Heightened stagnation and water age can lead to increased metal leaching from pipe walls, as well as increases in microbial growth and opportunistic pathogen proliferation. Water quality in a large school building was monitored after approximately six months of being closed due to COVID-19 related restrictions. Upon sampling the building, chemical and microbial water quality indicators were affected by the initial six month stagnation period. To monitor the relationship between shock chlorination and water quality at the tap, samples were collected at fixtures at different time points to gain a better understanding of the effects of shock disinfection on drinking water chemistry and microbiology. This study raises concerns with respect to the impact of extended building closures on drinking water quality and the best approach to remediate and monitor water quality issues thereafter.</div>

Syftet med studien har varit att kartlägga Norrvattens kommunikation kring hållbar vattenanvändning med sina medlemskommuner och medlemskommunernas kommunikation med kommuninvånarna. Ytterligare ett syfte med studien har varit att kartlägga hur andra VA-organisationer har kommunicerat kring hållbar vattenanvändning. Kartläggningarna har gjorts utifrån perspektiven hur kommunikationen genomförts, vad som kommunicerats och med vilket syfte. För att synliggöra kommunikationen har en didaktisk analys gjorts utifrån de didaktiska frågorna vem, vad, varför, när och hur. Slutligen har studien syftat till att utveckla ett underlag för en kommunikationsstrategi för Norrvattens kommunikation med medlemskommuner och kommuninvånare. Grunden i resultatet av kartläggningen av kommunikationen och enligt tidigare forskning ska kommunikationen syfta till att stärka möjligheter att hantera dricksvattenefterfrågan för hållbar vattenanvändning. I studien framkom att kommunikationen kring hållbar användning av vatten syftar till att förändra individers beteenden, för att minska den onödiga användningen av vatten. Respondenterna lyfter också fram att kommunikationen bör syfta till att öka vattnets värde samt öka kunskapen kring produktionen och produktionskapaciteten. Innehållsmässigt visar resultaten att kommunikationen ska beröra konkreta och praktiska handlingar, teknisk fakta och vattnets kretslopp i det större perspektivet. Olika kommunikationskanaler passar för olika typer av kommunikation, där resultatet visar att navet för kommunikationen med kommuninvånare är webben och sociala medier. Tonalitet, timing och sociala aspekter av kommunikationen framställdes i resultatet också som viktiga delar. Dessa har på olika sätt inkluderats i kommunikationsstrategin. Kommunikationsstrategin har utvecklats baserat på en modell framställd utifrån den teoretiska grund som använts i studien. Modellen har framställts som ett fundament medan resultatet från kartläggningarna av Norrvatten, medlemskommunerna och VA-organisationernas kommunikation tillsammans med tidigare forskning har utgjort innehållet. / The aim of this study was to map Norrvatten’s communication regarding sustainable water usage with Norrvatten’s municipalities and the municipalities’ communication with the municipal residents. Furthermore, the aim has also been to map how other water and sewerage organizations have communicated about sustainable water use. Focus of the systematic mapping of the communication was on how the communication was carried out, what was communicated and for what purpose. To understand the communication, a didactic analysis was carried out based on the didactic questions of who, what, why, when, and how. The last purpose of the study aimed to develop basis for a communication strategy for Norrvatten's communication with member municipalities and municipal residents. This was done based on the results of the communication mapping and previous research. The communication intends to strengthen opportunities to handle potable water demand relative to sustainable use of water. The result showed that communication about sustainable use of water aim to change individuals' behaviors, to reduce the unnecessary use of water. The respondents also emphasize that communication should aim to increase the value of water and increase knowledge of the production and production capacity. In terms of content, the results show that the communication touches on concrete and practical actions, technical facts, and the water cycle in the larger perspective. Communication channels are suitable for different types of communication, where the results show that the hub of communication with municipal residents is the website and social media. Tonality, timing, and social aspects of the communication were also presented in the result as important parts. These have been included in the communication strategy. The communication strategy was developed on a model produced on the theoretical basis used in the study. The model has been presented as a foundation, while the results from the communication mapping of Norrvatten, the member municipalities and the VA organizations' communication together with previous research have constituted the content.