SDG06 Clean water and sanitation
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Item A framework for agile project management for the water industry in developing countries(2024-06) Masia, Obby Akani; Van der Poll, J. A.The water industry in developing countries is grappling with several challenges, including water scarcity, pollution of water sources, increasing demand, climate change, low levels of innovation and technology adoption, high water loss, and governance and management issues. This research explored the complexities of water management and examined the application of agile methods in the water industry. While agile practices are predominantly associated with information Technology (IT), their use has expanded to other industries, primarily for successful software projects. Although agile methods enhance organisational flexibility to adapt to rapid changes in complex business environments, they are rarely used in the water industry. Therefore, this research aimed to develop an agile framework specifically for the water industry. Based on a comprehensive literature review, qualitative propositions were developed, leading to a conceptual framework for the water industry in developing countries. This framework was published in a scholarly journal, contributing to both knowledge and practice. It was further refined through interviews with industry stakeholders and validated in a focus group. Several propositions were confirmed through a survey. Data analysis was conducted, using ATLAS.ti revealed that the water industry is constrained by rigid regulatory compliance, which stifles innovation and agility. The industry predominantly relies on traditional management practices and has limited awareness of agile methods, often viewed as IT-specific and unsuitable for construction or water infrastructure projects. Additionally, there is also a lack of adaptive and sustainable water management (SWM) and project management (SPM). The lack of continuous improvement, low collaboration, and bureaucratic hurdles further impede the achievement of sustainable outcomes. Overall, the research combines water management, sustainability, project management, strategic management, governance and Agile. It offers guidance for researchers and decision-makers in the water sector. The study recommends that the water sector adopts hybrid (agile/traditional) approaches and adaptive management to achieve the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). It also recommends further research on hybrid approaches and regulatory compliance management in the water sector.Item Vegetation classification, soil organic carbon and water levels of the Waterkloof spruit peatland system, Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, South Africa(2024-11) Malise, Tshifhiwa; Brown, LR; Grundling, ATWetlands are valuable ecosystems that provide ecosystems services in terms of biodiversity, water and carbon storage (carbon sinks). The Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, Rustenburg consist of different hydrogeomorphic wetland types, which include hillslope seeps, channeled and unchanneled valley-bottom wetlands. The aim of this study is to provide detailed classification and description of the vegetation of the different hydrogeomorphic wetland types of the Waterkloofspruit peatland system as well as to determine the Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) content and water levels during wet and dry season of 2023. The information from this study will provide a better understanding of wetland functioning and composition to enable scientifically sound management of these ecosystems in the reserve. Different plant communities found on different hydrogeomorphic wetland types in the Waterkloofspruit peatland system were identified, classified and mapped. Historical aerial photographs of the Kgaswane Mountain Reserve were used to identify the homogeneous physiographic-physiognomic units. Vegetation sample plots (53 relevés) (9 m2, 3x3 m) were placed randomly within identified homogeneous units and all plants species within the plots were recorded and allocated a modified Braun-Blanquet cover-abundance scale value. Data was captured into MS Excel and exported for editing, classification and processing in the JUICE 7.1.21 software program. A modified TWINSPAN classification was applied to derive a first approximation of the plant communities using Braun-Blanquet procedures. Diagnostic, constant and dominant species were statistically determined from the synoptic table. Threshold values for fidelity, frequency and canopy cover were set and a final phytosociological table was produced for describing the plant species composition for the different plant communities. Soil auger was used to extract soil sample from the centre of every vegetation plot and classified into soil forms according to the South African Soil Classification System. Soils not matching soil forms were labeled as ‘undefined’. Soils were augered to a depth of 1.2 m or until resistance was encountered (in this case alluvium or bedrock). The depth of the water table was measured in every auger hole in both the wet (April 2023) and dry season (August 2023). Soil samples were tested for organic carbon using the Walkley-Black method and the Loss on Ignition (LOI) at the analytical laboratory of the ARC. Soil cores were used to determine bulk density (Dry mass/Total volume of soil) to estimate the total volume of carbon sequestered in the Waterkloofspruit peatland system. Water level data and percentage carbon (C) were used to compare the different hydrogeomorphic wetland types with each other and to determine whether specific water levels and ‘percentage C’ are associated with specific plant communities. The results of the vegetation classification identified the following five plant communities in the Waterkloofspruit peatland system: Verbena bonariensis–Imperata cylindrica in the seep and channelled valley-bottom wetland, Cyperus esculentus–Pteridium aquilinum on the seepage areas, Leersia hexandra–Bolboschoenus maritimus at the unchanneled valley-bottom adjacent to central basin reeds, Hyparrhenia dregeana–Miscanthus junceus in the channelled valley-bottom wetland and Thelypteris palustris–Phragmites australis in the unchanneled valley-bottom. Estimation of the carbon sequestered across the five plant communities of the Waterkloofspruit peatland system is 57606 t/h. Results indicate that the SOC vary across the plant communities in the A horizon as well as the water table levels. Community five is the largest contributor, sequestering over 57429 t/ha of SOC, the area is dominated by Phragmites australis, which forms deep peat layers (> 4 m), and the community is the largest carbon sink. Community two is the second largest contributor, sequestering over 70 t/h though is dominated by the forb Pteridium aquilinum. The high SOC value is mostly attributed to the areas of this plant community where Sphagnum moss occurs and has the ability to form dense peat. SOC ranged from 2%-42% in Loss on Ignition (LOI) and 2% to 31% in Walkley-Black across the five plant communities of the Waterkloofspruit peatland system. The results will assist management in implementing a scientifically based management plan to ensure the continued functioning and conservation of the hydrogeomorphic wetland types found in the Waterkloofspruit peatland system which plays an important role in sequestering carbon.Item Synthesis of magnetic nanoadsorbents derived from maize waste and their application for the adsorptive removal of selected heavy metal ions from wastewater samples(2024-05) Mahlaule Glory, Louisah Mmabaki; MKETO, NOMVANO; Moema, Elsie Dineo; Hintsho-Mbita, Nomso CharmaineOver the past few years, heavy metal ion (HMI) pollution has become a crucial matter due to their threat to human health and ecological systems.,. Furthermore, HMIs have been reported to be hazardous, persistent, and in some of the global health organizations reports, they have been declared as carcinogens. These HMIs include Pb (II) and Cr (VI) and they are very reactive and highly oxidizing in nature. Thus, the need to remediate these HMIs from wastewater using magnetic nano adsorbents. In this study, three nano-adsorbents such as cellulose nano crystals (CNC), magnetite (M), and magnetic cellulose nanocrystal (MCNC) were synthesized for the removal of Pb (II) in wastewater. The magnetic cellulose nanocrystals (MCNCs) were synthesized using a co-precipitation method from the magnetite (Fe3O4) and cellulose nano crystals (CNCs) were used as a base for stability and easy dispersion of iron for the adsorptive removal of Pb (II) ions. Furthermore, to enhance the adsorption capacity and to improve selectivity of the CNC towards -targeting anionic Cr (VI) ions, the surface modification was conducted by crosslinking CNCs with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy (TEMPO), thereby oxidising the material to form a bridge with the grafting of the polyethyleneimine (PEI). The surface of the CNC-TEMPO-PEI was further magnetised by introducing iron on to the surface material via a co-precipitation method. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis revealed the presence of C=O, COOH, CH, OH and FeO stretching frequencies in MCNC, while powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) confirmed the formation of MCNC and the monoclinic type 1 cellulose with 1β lattice and magnetite cubic spinel phases of the CNC. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) showed the presence of both CNC and magnetite at 400 nm. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated a smooth fibroid surface of CNCs while magnetite (M) displayed 2 morphologies, the rod like and spherical morphology, indicating the presence of iron and oxygen. The MCNC were stable after 600 ⁰C as shown on the thermograms generated from the thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). Last, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) displayed surface area, pore size and pore volume improvement of 56 m2/g, 98 Å and 0,1465 cm3/g. Å, respectively, for the MCNC. Following the characterization of the MCNCs nanocomposites, the material was used for adsorptive removal of Pb (II). It was discovered that for the Pb (II) removal efficiency was 97 % with an acceptable precision of ≤ 3 %. The highest efficiency was obtained at optimal conditions of 60 mg dosage, 0,1 ppm concentration within a rapid contact time of 5 min at a temperature of 60 ⁰C and at a pH of 6. These parameters were optimised by using multivariate optimization tools (Minitab) and were also validated against the magnetite and the CNC. A maximum adsorption capacity of MCNC was also obtained at 47,70 mg/g for Pb (II) and the material was re-used for up to 4 cycles. The results revealed that the reaction followed Freundlich isotherms and Pseudo First Order kinetic model with a regression coefficient of 0,98 and 0,96 respectively. The adsorption thermodynamics studies indicated a spontaneous process and an exothermic reaction. On the other hand, the MCNC-TEMPO-PEI was characterised with FTIR, P-XRD, TEM and SEM-EDS techniques. The FTIR confirmed a successful formation and the presence of COOH, OH, Fe-O band and NH2 groups on the nanocomposite. The P-XRD confirmed the crystal structure of CNC-TEMPO and the amorphous structure of both the CNC-TEMPO-PEI and the MCNC-TEMPO-PEI. The SEM-EDS results demonstrated the rod-like, oval and irregular cubic morphology for successful preparation of MCNC-TEMPO-PEI nanocomposite. The adsorption performance of MCNC-TEMPO-PEI on Cr (VI) ions was investigated by using univariate optimization tools. The MCNC-TEMPO-PEI was efficient at 5 ppm, using a 30 mg dosage at 25 ⁰C within the acidic conditions at pH 2 within a rapid contact time of 15 min. The optimised parameters were further validated using 5 various adsorbent materials and the results indicated that the MCNC-TEMPO-PEI was the most efficient by exhibiting the highest adsorption capacity of 4,4 mg/g with a 98% removal. The interaction between the MCNC-TEMPO-PEI and the Cr (VI) ions indicated a chemisorption of the electrostatic forces governing the magnetic and ionic exchange interaction between of the adsorbate and the analyte. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm displayed a correlation coefficient of 0,94 following the PSO kinetic model against the adsorptive removal of Cr (VI) ions. The thermodynamic interaction indicated a non-spontaneous endothermic reaction with a favourable reaction. The adsorbent could be reused at least 8 times with a removal efficiency above 75 %. The results revealed that the real wastewater samples analysed from this study did not contain Cr (VI) ion.Item A GIS-based approach to analyse potable water acccessibility in Langeloop Village in Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga(2024-01) Mathaba, K. M.; Schmitz, P. M. U.Potable water accessibility is fundamentally a human right, crucial for sustaining life and ensuring the well-being of individuals and communities. However, in rural areas, people struggle to find enough clean water to cook and drink; they travel or walk long distances to access potable water. Langeloop settlement is a rural area that struggles to access potable water. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse potable water accessibility to the Langeloop community using a GIS-based approach. Langeloop settlement consists of 11 sections/extensions used in this study. The mixed method research approach was used, and potable water sources such as standpipes were captured using a GPS, while observations and a questionnaire were used to conduct a survey. Spatial service area network analysis was performed. The findings of the study are that water accessibility is below average, and many households still do not have access to potable water. This study also found that water availability is a more prominent problem than water proximity. The recommendations of the study include 140 proposed standpipes in the areas where potable water is not accessible. However, it reflects the importance of resource allocation and targeted interventions to improve water access for communities in need.Item Ascension of women to senior management positions : a case of the Department of Water and Sanitation, Gauteng province(2024-05-07) Ngwenyama, N. P.; Kahn, S. B.Inherited colonial and patriarchal laws have created barriers for women to gain entry to employment opportunities and hierarchically advance to senior management positions (SMS). Although government is making strides in promoting women representation and gender equality in the public sector, women remain underrepresented at SMS. The aim of the study was to investigate if women at the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) advance hierarchically at the same pace as their male counterparts to SMS. The study applied a qualitative research approach to address the research objectives. Data was collected through desktop research by reviewing secondary data sources available in the public domain. The study found that women at DWS are underrepresented at SMS positions as males predominantly occupy these positions. This further widens the inequality gap, which shows that men continue to enjoy the benefits of patriarchal norms over women. Moreover, the majority of national government departments including DWS have not achieved the set employment equity target of 50% for women at SMS, and the 2% target for persons with disabilities (PWDs). The study revealed that it is a challenge to determine the level of compliance for women with disabilities at SMS as the composition of the gender and racial demographics for the 2% is not clearly defined by government. The study also found that barriers exist within the public sector which hinder the advancement of women, such as glass ceiling, glass cliff, patriarchal practices, gender stereotypes, gender bias and discrimination, exclusion of women in strategic decision-making structures, unequal salaries, harassment, bullying and intimidation, and unaccommodated disability needs, amongst others. The lack of support programmes and empowerment interventions for women to strive and self-actualise their potential to assume leadership positions has also been found to be amongst the barriers. The study recommends that for gender equality to be achieved, DWS should provide support programmes and empower women through skills development, nurturing talent, mentorship, coaching, gender mainstreaming, and provision of a gender-focused budget. Other recommendations brought forward are the inclusion of men in gender forums to drive transformation, development of gender-neutral policies, supervisor-subordinate support, and flexible policies to enable women to achieve a work-life balance.