Abstract
The future of the availability of clean water is not guaranteed globally. Several studies focus on alternative mechanisms of water purification to supplement this vital natural resource on earth. An alternative mechanism entails purifying wastewater from raw sewage, originating from domestic and industrial environments. This process restores water to a quality that is safe and reusable. Although the concept is still unreachable for South Africans, it is of paramount value to strive towards achieving potable quality effluent, free of waterborne diseases. This results in creating an environment that is user-friendly to aquatic life. This study focusses on developing a model that improves the performance of East Rand Water Care (ERWAT) a wastewater facility, employing traditional global best practices to produce safe-to-use effluent, as stipulated by the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) in South Africa. The facility for this study is based in the eastern region of Gauteng and employs conventional wastewater purification methods. The conventional system operates at excessive costs, owing to high maintenance and required operational costs. The main purpose of this study is to establish a convergence analysis of this facility concerning its processes. It identifies the traditionally best practices of wastewater purification processes, conducts a current state analysis and presents a recommendation to close this divergence. This is accomplished through the use of the literature available on the best practices, and information of the facility obtained through observation, interviews and data extracted from the facility records. Global best practice benchmarks in wastewater treatment facilities are referenced as a guide, enhancing the performance of the wastewater sites. This research focusses on enhancing critical wastewater protocols which include purification processes, management style, innovation and technology, and sludge-handling. A mixed method approach is used in this research, based on interview sessions, critical review of the literature or observance. The research design is based on both quantitative and qualitative approaches regarding collection and data analysis. These approaches enable the researchers to obtain statistical patterns in the data, allowing for expert opinions on the best practices in wastewater purification. The “why”, “how” and “what” questions are thus addressed simultaneously.[1] These approaches are sufficient for executing this research objective, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of how to enhance wastewater treatment processes and managing wastewater system facilities. This research conducts a convergence analysis test between the East Rand Water Care facility, which already had existing purification processes and systems against global best practice in wastewater purification. This research investigates East Rand Water Care’s treated effluent for reusability for agriculture, active participation of East Rand Water Care facility managers towards asset management, sludge disposal practices, and installing rotating belt filtration for biological nutrient removal. This research presents the best practice...
M.Ing. (Engineering Management)