Based on many years of water quality (including algal) and water treatment cost data,
available at Umgeni Water, a study was undertaken to better understand the water
quality relationships in man made lakes within the company's operational area, and
to investigate how water quality affected the cost of treating water from these lakes.
The broad aims to the study were to:
identify the key environmental variables that were affecting algal populations
in lakes; and if these were significant to
establish predictive models relating algae to the water quality; and to
develop models relating the water quality in lakes to the cost of treating water
from the lakes.
Semi-quantitative models were developed relating algal abundances with important
environmental variables. In most cases, the models developed were related to algal
populations that were known to adversely affect water treatment. Direct algal impact
on water treatment processes was through the production of either taste and odour
forming compounds (requiring advanced water treatment, such as use of activated
carbon), or their ability to clog sand filters and so reduce filter run times (requiring
more frequent backwashing of filters).
Thereafter lake water quality parameters (which included water physico-chemistry
and algae) were investigated to determine which factors were most significantly
impacting on water treatment and hence treatment costs at selected water works
(WW) within the Umgeni Water operational area. Models were developed relating
raw water quality entering respective water works with costs incurred in treating that
water. The models allowed simulations to be developed illustrating how changes in
water quality might impact on water treatment costs. The impact of eutrophication
and contamination of rivers and lakes, and its subsequent impact on surface water
resources, was quantified. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Botany))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/1022 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Graham, Philip Mark |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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