Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.Water-supply

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The impact of contextual factors on the predicted bulk water pipe repair times in Wellington City : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Emergency Management at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2017) Sherson, Andrew Keith
    Lifelines, like the water supply, are essential for the survival of people, communities, and businesses. In the event of a significant natural disaster, like an earthquake, it can be expected that these regional lifelines will be severely damaged. Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, contains many lifelines that are highly vulnerable to failure. The water supply is especially susceptible, as it crosses the Wellington Fault multiple times and carries water through landslide prone corridors. Because of the risk, and potential impact on people, several predictive models have been created to calculate the likely downtimes so individuals and organisations can prepare for the loss. Many of these predictive models are comprehensive in what they calculate. However, they require improvement as they do not include local and contextual factors or the influence of other lifelines. For example, they do not include the impact of staff logistics, assume access to required equipment is a given, and ignore interdependencies between lifelines, such as the loss of access to repair sites because of damage to the transportation network. This research aims to improve these current models by investigating the magnitude of these site-specific and interdependency factors. Following a sequential mixed methods approach and using a pragmatic viewpoint, experts directly involved in the repair and maintenance of lifelines were selected for interviews. In total 20 professionals were contacted using a snowball and convenience sampling technique. Out of these 20, five were available for in-depth semi-structured phone interviews. From these interviews, anything stated to affect the repair times was highlighted, the most prominent of which were incorporated into current predictive models and their influence on repair times calculated. In total 12 different issues were discussed, 4 of which were examined further. These factors were: staff logistical problems; the slope of the land affecting damage inspection processes; the impact of uncommon pipe diameters on the repair process; and access problems. Once identified, these factors were incorporated into current predictive models, and the impact on repair times calculated. By including these contextual influences, it was found that they increased repair times by between 3 and 13 days depending on the water source and 31 and 111 days when incorporating the influence of landslides. Thus, proving contextual influences have a significant impact on repair times. Overall this study 1) revealed the importance of including contextual factors into predictive calculations and 2) created more accurate downtime predictions for the water supply in Wellington City, allowing for people, organisations, and planners to better prepare for the potential risk.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessing water availability in the Oroua River Catchment : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master Degree in Applied Science (Agricultural Engineering), Massey University
    (Massey University, 2002) Reyes, Mona Liza Fortunado de los
    The study estimated the 1993-1998 natural flows as well as their corresponding reliabilities along Kiwitea Stream and Oroua River upstream of the old Kawa Wool station. These estimates could present a baseline condition for assessing the hydrologic capability of the catchment for the existing rights and the amount of streamflow still available for additional rights. The study demonstrated that water availability modeling could be a useful tool in water resource management and planning for the Oroua catchment. The "usual" or high river flow allocation management for the Oroua River wherein a right may abstract water up to its permitted rates could be modeled in WRAP. The results of the simulation based on full abstraction of permitted rates suggested that on a monthly basis, there was enough flow physically available to meet all consented abstraction rights including the minimum flow requirement at Almadale and Spur Road stations throughout the 1993- 1998 simulation period. The study had identified an apparent shortcoming of the WRAP model in simulating the MWRC's water allocation schemes at times of low river flow wherein water rights are either restricted or curtailed whenever the flow reached the set monthly flow threshold and the minimum flow level. The WRAP program was lacking of a mechanism or algorithm that will allow a water diversion target to vary depending on a gauged flow at other locations. The study demonstrated that the criteria stipulated in the Oroua Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan for rostering abstraction at times of low river flow could be accounted in WRAP water availability modeling using a weighted ranked priority scheme. The results of simulation apportioning the combined maximum abstraction rates for irrigation purposes, based on prior use and natural upstream-to-downstream location among irrigation rights, indicated a minimal increase in the utilization of available water of the Oroua River. Thus, with increased water use as a management objective, such options would not be an attractive alternative. To facilitate relevant hydrologic and institutional water availability and reliability assessment of the Oroua River, it is recommended that a modification be made in the WRAP program to include mechanism or algorithms that will allow automatic change of diversion target as a function of gauged flow. Also, a shorter computational interval, such as weekly or daily, would yield more relevant results for real-time water management for the Oroua River. For future simulation or modeling studies for the Oroua River, there is a need to have an actual streamflow measurement or gauging station downstream of the river for validation purposes. There is also a need to have data on actual abstractions and discharges to the Oroua River and its tributaries.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Water accounting in the Oroua River Catchment : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Applied Science in Agricultural Engineering at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Recile, Santiago T
    With growing population and limited water resources, there is an increasing need worldwide for better management of water resources. This is especially true when all-or nearly all-water resources are allocated to various uses. Effective strategies for obtaining more productivity while maintaining or improving the environment must be formulated. This can be achieved only after the water quantity, quality and uses have been understood and evaluated. One tool to analyse the situation in order to gain a deeper understanding and possibly identify opportunities for better water management is the recently-proposed methodology of water accounting, which considers components of the water balance and classifies them according to uses and productivity of these uses. Identified changes in quantity and quality of water can provide important clues on increasing water productivity. The water accounting methodology was tried in the Oroua River Catchment to evaluate its use as a way of assessing water availability, and to identify opportunities for water savings in the catchment. The use of the methodology in a basin-wide water assessment was not successful due to insufficient rainfall data-especially at the State Forest Park where most of the streamflow (approximately 80%) comes from during low flows. In addition, the monthly climatic water balance model used failed to produce a reliable estimate of streamflow. The volume of estimated streamflow was greatly underestimated as compared to the actual recorded streamflow. Streamflow water accounting was able to assess the water availability in the lower portion of the Oroua River for the indicators gave a clear picture of the existing state of the river during the summer months. Water depletions from instream uses, which include waste assimilation, environmental maintenance, and free-water evaporation, comprised the largest part of the total streamflow depletions in the lower Oroua River. In some instances, combined depletion from waste assimilation and free-water evaporation was more than 3 times the available water. Depletions from offstream uses, including municipal and industrial, and irrigation abstractions comprised only a small portion of the total streamflow depletion. However, one limitation of the approach is that it did not account for the other return flows from irrigation and M&I diversions. Despite the limitations of the study, the use of the indicators helped in understanding the situation since the Depleted Fraction (DF available) indicator clearly showed how much further abstraction is allowed, and the use of the Process Fraction (PF depleted) readily shows an opportunity for better use of water. It is recommended that the pollution effect also be included in the original water accounting methodology of Molden (1997). The pollution effect of different contaminants could be quantified by their dilution factor i.e., the physical amount of water lost to pollution from the discharge of effluents is measured by the amount of upstream water which would be required to dilute it back down to the maximum allowed concentration of pollutants.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The use of radon and complementary hydrochemistry tracers for the identification of groundwater - surface water interaction in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Management at the Institute of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Martindale, Heather
    Understanding how surface waters and groundwaters interact is an integral component of managing the influence of nutrient inputs to water quality. Knowledge of the potential nutrient loads from discharging groundwater is essential for meeting the bottom line nutrient concentrations in surface waters. Radon-222 is an emerging tracer for measuring groundwater-surface water interaction which has been underexploited in New Zealand. The aim of this research was to establish the potential of using radon for measuring groundwater and river water interaction in the New Zealand environment. Low and high resolution radon surveys were carried out in two gravel-bed rivers, the Hutt and Mangatainoka Rivers, in lower North Island of New Zealand. To provide accurate measurements of radon concentrations in surface waters containing very little radon, the development of a cost and time effective, simple and reproducible high sensitivity radon measurement method was investigated. Furthermore, the study aimed to assess the potential of using radon measurements in combination with concurrent stream flow gauging and other hydrochemistry data for providing more detailed information on groundwater and river water interaction processes. Radon measurements were found very helpful to identify groundwater discharge and recharge locations in both the Hutt and Mangatainoka Rivers. Furthermore, a high sensitivity radon analysis method was developed with a lower limit of detection of 0.006 BqL-1, a vast improvement on the direct count method, and offering practical advancements over previously published methods. This high sensitivity method was used to establish radon concentration thresholds to identify locations of groundwater discharge, potential groundwater recharge and hyporheic exchange in NZ gravel-bed rivers. In both studied rivers the groundwater discharge and potential recharge patterns identified by radon were not always matched by the concurrent flow gauging surveys, highlighting the ambiguity surrounding the use of concurrent flow gauging in gravel-bed rivers for mapping river gains and losses. In some sections of the studied rivers the concurrent flow gauging data indicated areas of groundwater recharge or discharge where the radon data showed the opposite process to be occurring. This has led to the conclusion that underflow beneath the gravels and other parafluvial exchange processes can cause the interpretation of concurrent flow gauging results to be misleading. Flow gauging combined with radon sampling gives a more conclusive picture of the groundwater and river water interaction processes in the gravel-bed rivers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Multinational corporations and workforce empowerment : an examination of the labour dimensions of a water privatisation venture in contemporary South Africa : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies, Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Madubanya, Khutso
    "FDI has become the largest and most stable source of external finance for developing countries." (World Investment Report 2000: 58) As private funds increasingly replace foreign aid as the main mode of defining North-South economic relations in the early 21st century, the debate over the impact of multinational corporations (MNCs) on host developing countries has become ever more alive. On the one hand, proponents view MNCs as conducive for development as they bring with them much needed capital, technology and skills without which developing country economies are deemed to be stagnant. Opponents, on the other hand, regard MNCs as exploitative of developing country resources and cultures, thereby being detrimental to the development of host developing countries. This thesis attempts to examine this debate more closely. It examines foreign direct investment (FDI) in the form of water privatisation involving public-private partnerships (PPPs). It takes a close look at the operations of one water MNC, Waterco, acting as main shareholder and operator of the concession company South African Water Company (SAWCO) in the north-eastern part of South Africa. As customary of MNC operations worldwide, particularly concessions, Waterco operated in joint-partnership with a local black empowerment group, Localco, to form SAWCO. As the main driving force behind SAWCO, its operations are assessed through SAWCO's performance. The objective of the study is to assess the impact of SAWCO on its workforce, in the light of the argument that MNCs arguably empower the workforce of the host country by creating employment, offering better conditions of service and transferring skills. In particular, the study seeks to examine the extent to which SAWCO had led to greater or lesser empowerment of its workforce by the end of its first year of operation. Lessons are then drawn from this examination in order to inform SAWCO's management, government bodies, stakeholders involved in the SAWCO concession, and global/local debates on considering similar concession agreements. The study discovers that in the case of SAWCO, policies fostering workforce empowerment were in place. However, these policies suffered from lack of long-term foresight. The policies indeed mitigated against the possibility of a short-term erosion in employment quantity (job security) and quality (competitive conditions of service, workplace democracy and skills upgrading) but lacked long-term prescriptions on these measures. In practice, no short-term employment losses had occurred, though this result could not be guaranteed for the future, especially given the lack of long-term policy prescriptions. Employment quantity appeared to be mainly hindered by poor communication channels between the workforce and SAWCO's management and inadequate monitoring tools, which had bred numerous problems. These problems included worker discontent and confusion related to workers not knowing their work-related rights and entitlements, as well as company operations. The effectiveness of the training programmes offered by SAWCO were also questionable due to poor worker consultation. At the time of the study, no provisions were being made in terms of skills acquiring, to prepare for public operation of the services at the end of the concession period. From analysing the type of input labour made in the establishment of SAWCO (labour participation), It became clear that labour never fully supported the privatisation process involving SAWCO. This was due to the fact that labour consultation had not occurred at some of the critical initial stages of the privatisation process. This outcome raises questions relating to the amount of national leverage, and subsequently 'protection', that the South African government is able to grant to its citizens (represented in this case by labour) against MNC interests. Extrapolating from the SAWCO case study, it is concluded that in the context of South Africa where unemployment is high, labour union movements strong, the economy's labour absorptive capacity and labour's level of skills are low, involving MNCs in PPP arrangements has the potential to be beneficial for the empowerment of the local workforce. In order to make this possible however, the government bodies employing an MNC in such arrangements need to have leverage over the MNC by being politically cohesive, set stringent policies (with time-lines) governing the MNC's labour performance, create an environment fostering healthy industrial relations, and tighten monitoring tools to ensure compliance of the MNC with the laws and policies binding it.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An appraisal of water use management in New Zealand : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Philosophy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1975) Walker, Evan Andrew
    Water use management is defined in the context of the New Zealand law and overall water resource management. A simple descriptive model is then introduced as a theoretical framework for examination of the management structures and procedures which are shown as links between the social and biophysical systems. A brief history of the evolution of water use management in New Zealand is outlined, using the development of legal controls as an index. The provisions of the principal enabling law, the 1967 water and Soil Conservation Act, and its subsequent amendments are detailed, and present the management regime discussed in terms of the general model. Problems and Issues with the present management framework are described. The Water Rights system and Water Quality Management (in particular - Classification) are dealt with in detail as the two major procedures, and other technical, administrative and legal issues are identified. The appropriateness of the present Water Rights and controlling agencies (the Regional Water Boards) for water use management is discussed. The topical subjects of land use planning and regional reorganisation are included. An attempt is made to place the New Zealand management in perspective, particularly in terms of overseas experience, and the study is concluded with a view of the prospects for the future.