A conceptual end use model for residential water demand and return flow is presented in this thesis. The model requires a unique description of a single residential stand in terms of all its end-uses. The end-uses include toilet flushing, bathing and showering, garden watering, leaks, et cetera. Various parameters describe each of the end-uses. The model predicts five components relating to water demand and wastewater flow at a residence: indoor water demand, outdoor water demand, hot water demand, wastewater flow volume and concentration of solutes in the wastewater. Twelve monthly results are calculated, for each of the five components, to provide a typical seasonal pattern as well as an annual value. The large number of input parameters in an end-use model allows for powerful and detailed analysis. The parameters required to populate the model are discussed and guideline values are presented. The end-use model is used to conduct a sensitivity analysis of each independent parameter for each of the five individual model components. The elasticity and sensitivity is determined at a base point with respect to each parameter for all five results. A research significance index is also devised to integrate the elasticity and availability of data for each parameter. The result is a prioritised list of the most critical parameters for each of the five components, which are the ones that should receive the focus for future study and data recording. The parameters are combined to obtain a list of the overall most important parameters in the model for all components combined, and based on a combination of the elasticity-based rank and the sensitivity based rank. The five most important parameters are the household size, toilet flush frequency, toilet flush volume, the washing machine event frequency and the volume of leaks on a stand. The practical application of the model is illustrated. The researchers first apply the model to mimic a few commonly accepted characteristics of water demand. The effectiveness of some specific water demand management measures are evaluated by adjusting selected model parameters. The measures include xeriscaping, the installation of dual-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads, pool ownership and pool cover use. The model also enables practitioners to obtain an insight into the water use habits of homeowners. The model forms the basis for further research work in the field. Its relatively simple structure and realistic data requirement encourages its integration into existing commercially available software suites for water and sewer system analysis and -management in the civil engineering industry in South Africa, as well as abroad. / Prof. J. Haarhoff

M.Ing. / Water gives life. It waters the fields of farmers; it nurtures the crops and stock of rural communities; it provides recreation for our children, our friends, our families; it supports our power generation, our mines, our industry, and the plants and animals that make up ecosystems. Water is the key to development and a good quality of life in South Africa. South Africa's water belongs to its people. It is the task of the South African Government to care for this water, to seek its fair distribution, and to facilitate its wise use for, amongst other things, social and economical development. Issues such as water resource management, use, protection, water services, etc., are presently governed by a number of policies, acts and regulations. All South Africans has a responsibility regarding the management of the country's resources. The supply of water to its entire people makes it extremely important to optimise the use of this scarce source. Access to water and water availability remains a key factor in ensuring the sustainability of development in Southern Africa. The coal fired power industry is a major user of natural resources; coal for fuel and water for steam generation as well as the cooling systems. It is estimated that 1.5% of the water abstracted in South Africa is used for power generation. The power industry receives its water mainly as abstraction from surface impoundments in the form of rivers and dams. Eskom, as a strategic user of water, is mindful of the importance of water to its business, as well as the development of the country. In addition to the interests of the government as the shareholder, Eskom recognises the legitimate interests, as stakeholders, of specific government departments, employees, consumers, suppliers, investors and lenders of capital, rating agencies, the media, policy and regulatory bodies, trade unions, non-governmental groups and local communities in its affairs. Eskom needs to ensure, through an effective water management strategy, that water is used wisely and effectively and that Eskom's impact on local water resources (surface and underground) is minimised. Eskom therefore has to manage water resources in a manner that will sustain the ecological integrity, support social development and ensure economic growth. Eskom has undertaken to benchmark the power generation industry, in co-operation with the DW AF, in a project aimed at developing the principles of water conservation and water demand management. In order to effectively manage water quality and quantity at Eskom's power stations, and to show Eskom's commitment with regard to water conservation and use, Eskom has compiled its own water and environmental policies.

No / his book explores a new framework of Adaptive Water Management (AWM) for evaluating existing approaches in urban water management. It highlights the need to adopt multidisciplinary strategies in water management while providing an in-depth understanding of institutional interactions amongst different water related sectors. The key characteristics of AWM i.e. polycentric governance, organisational flexibility and public participation are investigated and described through a critical review of the relevant literature. The book presents an empirical case study undertaken in a selected developing-country city to investigate the potential gaps between the current water management approaches and possible implementation of AWM. Feasibility of AWM operations is examined in an environment surrounded by established water management structure with centralised governance and an institutional process based on technical flexibility. The key elements of AWM performance are (re)structured and transformed into decision support systems. Multi criteria decision models are developed to facilitate quantification and visualization of the elements derived from the case study, which is involved with water companies and water consumers. The book describes how the concept of AWM, along with structuring suitable decision support systems, can be developed and applied to developing-country cities. The book highlights the barriers for applying the AWM strategies that include established centralised decision making, bureaucratic interactions with external organisations, lack of organisational flexibility within the institutions, and lack of recognition of public role in water management. The findings outline that despite the lack of adaptability in the current water management in the case study, as an example of developing countries, there are positive attitudes among water professionals and the public towards adaptability through public-institutional participation.

Wong, Jefferson See. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-151). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.i / LIST OF TABLES --- p.iv / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.3 --- Study Area --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Geographical setting --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Climate --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Water demand and supply in Hong Kong --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives of the Study --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5 --- Significance of the Study --- p.16 / Chapter 1.6 --- Outline of Thesis --- p.17 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2 --- Concept of Urban Water Consumption / Water Use --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3 --- Urban Water Consumption Patterns --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4 --- Factors Influencing Urban Water Consumption --- p.22 / Chapter 2.5 --- Model Formulation of Urban Water Consumption --- p.29 / Chapter 2.6 --- Methods of Forecasting Urban Water Consumption --- p.37 / Chapter 2.7 --- Conclusion --- p.42 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- DATA AND METHODOLOGY --- p.44 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Water Consumption and Climatic Data --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3 --- Modeling Framework and Procedure --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4 --- Base Water Use --- p.52 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Long-term trend --- p.52 / Chapter 3.5 --- Seasonal Water Use --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Seasonal cycle --- p.54 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Climatic effect --- p.58 / Chapter 3.6 --- Calendrical Water Use --- p.61 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Day-of-the-week effect --- p.62 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Holiday effect --- p.63 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- Persistence component --- p.64 / Chapter 3.7 --- Summary --- p.65 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION --- p.67 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2 --- Model Fitting and Parameterization --- p.68 / Chapter 4.3 --- Long-term Trend in Base Water Use --- p.69 / Chapter 4.4 --- Seasonal Water Use --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Seasonal cycle --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Climatic effect --- p.81 / Chapter 4.5 --- Calendrical Water Use --- p.86 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Day-of-the-week effect --- p.86 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Holiday effect --- p.90 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Persistence component --- p.98 / Chapter 4.6 --- Evaluation of Model Performance --- p.112 / Chapter 4.7 --- Relative Contribution of Various Components of Water Consumption --- p.128 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- CONCLUSION --- p.136 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.136 / Chapter 5.2 --- Summary of Findings --- p.137 / Chapter 5.3 --- Limitations of the Study --- p.141 / Chapter 5.4 --- Recommendations for Future Studies --- p.142 / REFERENCE LIST --- p.143