Determinants and Evaluation of Onsite Water Loss Due to Leakages in a Selected Institution in South Africa
Water loss due to onsite leakage is a problem in the effective management of potable water mostly in semi-arid and arid countries of the world whose quantity of freshwater is depleted, and recharge is highly variable. This study assessed the quality and quantity of water loss in an academic institut...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/2/217 |
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| author | Mahanyele Netshitanini Adeyemi Ojutalayo Adeeyo Joshua Nosa Edokpayi |
| author_facet | Mahanyele Netshitanini Adeyemi Ojutalayo Adeeyo Joshua Nosa Edokpayi |
| author_sort | Mahanyele Netshitanini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Water loss due to onsite leakage is a problem in the effective management of potable water mostly in semi-arid and arid countries of the world whose quantity of freshwater is depleted, and recharge is highly variable. This study assessed the quality and quantity of water loss in an academic institution due to onsite leakage resulting from various drivers such as leaks, corrosion, pressure, ageing infrastructure, and student attitude. An observational approach was used for water loss analysis. Samples were collected from each point from which water is lost and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, indicator microbes, and trace metals using standard procedures. It was observed that a high amount of water is lost in the study area which was partly influenced by high water pressure, the corrosion of taps and faucets, tap faults, and leaks. A total water loss of 9013.56 L/day in three selected residences of the institution was recorded. The wasted water was found to be of good quality with no harmful contamination. The Metal Pollution Index (MPI) showed that the water poses no threat from trace metals with a maximum MPI value of 7.76. The sampled water quality complied to the South African National Standard and World Health Organization standards for drinking water. The hazard quotient and hazard index both showed a level less than one, implying no possible non-carcinogenic risk associated with the consumption of the water. The wasted water from the institution’s residences is therefore of a very high quality and needs to be conserved for better usage. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:01:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a4dc0fe4df3c458dbea2b333b7f3eb4b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:01:25Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-a4dc0fe4df3c458dbea2b333b7f3eb4b2023-12-01T01:14:23ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412023-01-0115221710.3390/w15020217Determinants and Evaluation of Onsite Water Loss Due to Leakages in a Selected Institution in South AfricaMahanyele Netshitanini0Adeyemi Ojutalayo Adeeyo1Joshua Nosa Edokpayi2Water and Environmental Management Research Group, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South AfricaEcology and Resource Management Unit, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, University Road, Thohoyandou 0950, South AfricaWater and Environmental Management Research Group, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South AfricaWater loss due to onsite leakage is a problem in the effective management of potable water mostly in semi-arid and arid countries of the world whose quantity of freshwater is depleted, and recharge is highly variable. This study assessed the quality and quantity of water loss in an academic institution due to onsite leakage resulting from various drivers such as leaks, corrosion, pressure, ageing infrastructure, and student attitude. An observational approach was used for water loss analysis. Samples were collected from each point from which water is lost and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, indicator microbes, and trace metals using standard procedures. It was observed that a high amount of water is lost in the study area which was partly influenced by high water pressure, the corrosion of taps and faucets, tap faults, and leaks. A total water loss of 9013.56 L/day in three selected residences of the institution was recorded. The wasted water was found to be of good quality with no harmful contamination. The Metal Pollution Index (MPI) showed that the water poses no threat from trace metals with a maximum MPI value of 7.76. The sampled water quality complied to the South African National Standard and World Health Organization standards for drinking water. The hazard quotient and hazard index both showed a level less than one, implying no possible non-carcinogenic risk associated with the consumption of the water. The wasted water from the institution’s residences is therefore of a very high quality and needs to be conserved for better usage.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/2/217economic valuationpollution indexhealth riskwater qualitywater losswater tariffs |
| spellingShingle | Mahanyele Netshitanini Adeyemi Ojutalayo Adeeyo Joshua Nosa Edokpayi Determinants and Evaluation of Onsite Water Loss Due to Leakages in a Selected Institution in South Africa Water economic valuation pollution index health risk water quality water loss water tariffs |
| title | Determinants and Evaluation of Onsite Water Loss Due to Leakages in a Selected Institution in South Africa |
| title_full | Determinants and Evaluation of Onsite Water Loss Due to Leakages in a Selected Institution in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Determinants and Evaluation of Onsite Water Loss Due to Leakages in a Selected Institution in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determinants and Evaluation of Onsite Water Loss Due to Leakages in a Selected Institution in South Africa |
| title_short | Determinants and Evaluation of Onsite Water Loss Due to Leakages in a Selected Institution in South Africa |
| title_sort | determinants and evaluation of onsite water loss due to leakages in a selected institution in south africa |
| topic | economic valuation pollution index health risk water quality water loss water tariffs |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/2/217 |
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