Wasted Water Quality, Economic Valuation and Development of a Water Loss Framework at the University of Venda

Abstract

The study investigates the extent of water wastage and its management at the University of Venda, by assessing several factors related to water losses, costs, quality, and the development of a water-loss management framework. The study objectives were achieved through questionnaires which were distributed among students, staff, and maintenance personnel, to gather data on water usage and management. Field observations identified key areas where water was being wasted, especially in places like student residences. Water samples were collected from identified hotspots, with measurements taken based on amounts and time to calculate the rate of water wastage. Water quality tests included physical, chemical, microbial, and heavy metal analyses, to determine whether that the water quality met the South African National Standards (SANS) and those of World Health Organisation (WHO). The results demonstrated that water was wasted most during students’ residency periods (when students were not on recess). A total of 2,511,351 litres per year were lost during the academic terms, while 52,710 litres per year were wasted during the recess periods. The estimated financial loss due to water wastage was R 50,227 during student residency periods and R 1,054 during recess, based on water tariffs from the Thulamela Municipality. The quality of the wasted water was found to meet SANS and WHO standards, with tests confirming the water was safe in terms of being free from microbial content and chemical composition. Based on this picture, a monitoring application was developed to help track and manage water wastage. The app automatically captures geolocations of water wastage on the campus and allows individuals to report incidents of water wastage by submitting photos or short videos (15-30 seconds). The study highlights the extent of water wastage occurring at the University of Venda, especially when students are present, and proposes a technological solution through the monitoring app to help reduce these losses. Additionally, the water wasted was found to be of good quality, therefore, representing financial and resource concerns.