Sustainable Water Systems

Miklas Scholz is a Distinguished Professor in Civil Engineering Science at Johannesburg University (South Africa). He is among the most highly cited researchers in water engineering globally and is known for developing the concept and technology of sustainable flood retention basins. He has published eleven books, and more than 340 journal articles. Prof. Scholz’s work attracted total citations of about 18 000, resulting in an h-index of 66 and an i10-index of 250.

• Foreword xvPreface xviiAbout the Author xxiiiAcknowledgements xxv1 Natural Wetland Systems 11.1 Hydraulics, Water Quality and Vegetation Characteristics of Ditches 11.1.1 Introduction 11.1.2 Experimental 21.1.3 Results 51.1.3.1 Characteristics of Open Ditches 51.1.3.2 Water Quality and Vegetation 71.1.4 Discussion 111.1.4.1 Watercourse Classification 111.1.4.2 Total Roughness and Summer Flooding 121.1.4.3 Water Quality Influenced by Vegetation 121.1.5 Conclusions 131.2 Planted Soil Infiltration Systems for Treatment of Log Yard Runoff 131.2.1 Introduction 131.2.2 Experimental Setup and Methodology 141.2.3 Results and Discussion 151.2.3.1 Log yard Runoff Compared with Drainage Water 151.2.3.2 Comparison of Drainage Waters 171.2.3.3 Comparison of Treatment Efficiencies 171.2.4 Conclusions and Recommendations 181.3 Anthropogenic Land Use Change Impacts on Nutrient Concentrations in Waterbodies 181.3.1 Introduction 181.3.2 Land Use Changes and Surface Water Quality 191.3.2.1 Investigations 191.3.2.2 Key Variables 241.3.2.3 Modelling Outcomes 281.3.3 Proposals for Water Quality Conservation 291.3.4 Conclusions and Outlook 311.4 Peatland Response to Climate Change and Water Level Management 311.4.1 Introduction 311.4.2 Materials and Methods 331.4.2.1 Mesocosm Experiments 331.4.2.2 Climate Scenario Simulations 331.4.2.3 Water-level Management 361.4.2.4 Flux Measurements 361.4.2.5 Plant Analysis 371.4.2.6 Statistical Analysis 371.4.3 Results 381.4.3.1 Climate Variables Under Different Scenarios 381.4.3.2 Climate, Water Level and Respiration 391.4.3.3 Climate Change, Water Level and Plant Distribution 431.4.4 Discussion 451.4.4.1 Interactions 451.4.4.2 Effect of Climate on the Carbon Sink Function of Unmanaged Mesocosms 451.4.4.3 Impact of Drought on the Carbon Sink Function of Unmanaged Mesocosms 461.4.4.4 Interactive Effects on the Carbon Sink Function of Managed Mesocosms 481.4.5 Conclusions and Recommendations 50References 512 Urban Water and Sustainable Drainage Systems 632.1 Full Silt Traps Discharging into Watercourses 632.1.1 Introduction 632.1.2 Study Site, Materials and Methods 642.1.3 Results and Discussion 652.1.3.1 Water and Sediment Quality of the Silt Trap 652.1.3.2 Water Quality of the Full Silt Trap During Dry- and Wet-Weather Flow 682.1.3.3 Water Quality of the Receiving Watercourse 682.1.4 Conclusions 692.2 Filter Media, Plant Communities and Microbiology within Constructed Wetlands 692.2.1 Introduction 692.2.2 Materials and Methods 702.2.2.1 Environmental Conditions and Operation 702.2.2.2 Filter Media Composition 722.2.2.3 Analytical Procedures 722.2.2.4 Micro-biological and Plant Examinations 732.2.3 Results and Discussion 742.2.3.1 Filter Media Costs 742.2.3.2 Comparison of Treatment Efficiencies 742.2.3.3 Metal Analysis 782.2.3.4 Water Quality and Micro-biology 802.2.4 Conclusions 812.3 Vertical Subsurface Flow-Constructed Wetlands with Different Substrates 822.3.1 Introduction 822.3.2 Materials and Methods 832.3.3 Results and Discussion 862.3.3.1 Adsorption Isotherm Experiments 862.3.3.2 Column Experiments 882.3.4 Conclusions 932.4 Treatment of Gully Pot Effluent with Constructed Wetlands 932.4.1 Introduction 932.4.2 Materials and Methods 942.4.2.1 Study Site and Filter Media Composition 942.4.2.2 Environmental Conditions and Operation 972.4.2.3 Metal and Other Variable Determinations 982.4.3 Results 1002.4.4 Discussion 1052.4.4.1 Performance Comparison 1052.4.4.2 Constructed Wetlands, Sustainability and Filterability 1062.4.4.3 Alternative Treatment 1072.4.5 Conclusions and Further Research 1072.5 Wetland and Dry Pond System 1082.5.1 Introduction 1082.5.2 Case Study and Methodology 1082.5.3 Results and Discussion 1122.5.3.1 Water Quality 1122.5.3.2 Capacity of the System 1142.5.3.3 Economics 1152.5.3.4 Risk of Flooding and Infiltration 1162.5.3.5 Sustainable Water Industry Asset Resource Decisions Analysis 1162.5.4 Conclusions 1172.6 Permeable Pavement and Ground Source Heating Pump Systems 1172.6.1 Introduction 1172.6.2 Methodology 1192.6.2.1 Environmental Conditions 1192.6.2.2 Components of Rigs 1192.6.2.3 Operational Conditions 1202.6.2.4 Water Quality 1222.6.3 Results and Discussion 1232.6.3.1 Water Quality 1232.6.3.2 Prevention of Water-related Diseases 1282.6.3.3 Influence of Temperature 1302.6.4 Conclusions and Recommendations 1302.7 Permeable Pavement and Photocatalytic Titanium Dioxide Oxidation System 1312.7.1 Introduction 1312.7.2 Materials and Methods 1322.7.2.1 Permeable Pavement Engineering 1322.7.2.2 Photocatalytic Processes with Titanium Dioxide 1322.7.2.3 Experimental Permeable Pavement Set-up 1342.7.2.4 Experimental Set-up of the Photochemical Experiments 1352.7.2.5 Analytical and Microbiological Procedures 1362.7.2.6 Photocatalytic Disinfection Model 1362.7.3 Results and Discussion 1372.7.3.1 Permeable Pavement Contaminant Removal Efficiency 1372.7.3.2 Microbial Photochemical Deactivation 1382.7.4 Conclusions 1412.8 Refurbishment and Improvement of Screen Systems for Flood Control and Water Protection 1422.8.1 Introduction and Background 1422.8.1.1 Local Flooding Due to Heavy Rain 1422.8.1.2 Existing Screen Systems 1432.8.1.3 Screen Maintenance 1432.8.1.4 Screen Design 1432.8.1.5 Automated Screens 1442.8.1.6 Supporting Structures 1442.8.1.7 Objectives 1452.8.2 Methodology 1452.8.2.1 Locality 1452.8.2.2 Digital Recording and Geo-systems 1462.8.2.3 Inspection of the Locality 1462.8.2.4 Follow-up and Analysis 1462.8.2.5 Measures of Prioritisation 1462.8.3 Results and Discussions 1482.8.3.1 Characteristics of Screen Systems 1482.8.3.2 Screen System Maintenance 1502.8.3.3 Recommendations for Action 1532.8.4 Conclusions and Outlook 154References 1543 Sustainable Flood Retention Basins including Integrated Constructed Wetlands 1633.1 Sustainable Flood Retention Basin Management 1633.1.1 Introduction 1633.1.2 Methodology 1643.1.2.1 Data 1643.1.2.2 Variograms 1663.1.2.3 Kriging 1663.1.3 Results and Discussion 1683.1.3.1 Findings Based on Ordinary Kriging 1683.1.3.2 Findings Based on Disjunctive Kriging 1713.1.3.3 Consequences for Flood Risk Management 1753.1.4 Conclusions 1773.2 Nutrient Release from Integrated Constructed Wetland Sediment 1773.2.1 Introduction 1773.2.2 Materials and Methods 1783.2.2.1 Site and Experimental Set-up 1783.2.2.2 Sampling and Analytical Methods 1843.2.3 Results and Discussion 1843.2.3.1 Comparison of Treatment Performances 1843.2.3.2 Vegetation 1943.2.3.3 Groundwater Contamination 1943.2.3.4 Sediment Management 1943.2.4 Conclusions and Recommendations 1953.3 Groundwater Quality Impacts from an Integrated Constructed Wetland 1963.3.1 Introduction 1963.3.2 Materials and Methods 1973.3.2.1 Study Site Description 1973.3.2.2 Monitoring Wells and Groundwater Sampling 1993.3.2.3 Monitoring and Analysis 2003.3.2.4 Statistical Analyses 2013.3.3 Results and Discussion 2023.3.3.1 Piezometer Hydrographs and Seasonal Fluctuations 2023.3.3.2 Contaminant Concentrations in Groundwater 2043.3.3.3 Factors Influencing the Variability in Groundwater Quality 2103.3.4 Conclusions 213References 2134 Water and Wastewater Treatment Technology and Modelling 2214.1 Biological Activated Carbon Beds 2214.1.1 Introduction 2214.1.2 Materials and Methods 2224.1.3 Results and Discussion 2244.1.3.1 Biomass Growth Monitoring and Control 2244.1.3.2 Biological Indicator Significance 2264.1.3.3 Spreadsheet Modelling of Filter Effluents 2294.1.4 Conclusions 2304.2 Constructed Wetlands Treating Sewage 2314.2.1 Introduction 2314.2.2 Case Studies and Methods 2314.2.2.1 Description of Wetland Systems 2314.2.2.2 Water Quality Monitoring and Limitations 2354.2.3 Results and Discussion 2364.2.3.1 Water Quality and Performance Efficiency 2364.2.3.2 Seasonal Variations and Wetland Aging 2404.2.4 Conclusions and Recommendations 2404.3 Neural Network Simulation of the Chemical Oxygen Demand Reduction 2424.3.1 Introduction 2424.3.2 Materials and Methods 2444.3.2.1 Source of Data 2444.3.2.2 Neural Network Model 2454.3.3 Results and Discussion 2474.3.4 Conclusions and Recommendations 253References 2535 Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Modelling 2575.1 Membrane Bioreactors and Constructed Wetlands Treating Rendering Wastewater 2575.1.1 Introduction 2575.1.2 Materials and Methods 2585.1.2.1 Industrial Rendering Plant 2585.1.2.2 Constructed Wetland 2595.1.2.3 Membrane Bioreactor 2605.1.2.4 Water Quality Analysis 2605.1.3 Results and Discussion 2615.1.3.1 Water Quality of the Dissolved Air Flotation Plant 2615.1.3.2 Water Quality of the Membrane Bioreactor 2625.1.3.3 Water Quality of the Constructed Wetland 2645.1.3.4 Comparison of Treatment Performances 2655.1.3.5 Water Quality Variability of the Membrane Bioreactor 2665.1.3.6 Sampling Optimisation 2665.1.4 Conclusions 2675.2 Benzene Removal with Constructed Treatment Wetlands 2695.2.1 Introduction 2695.2.1.1 Constructed Treatment Wetlands 2695.2.1.2 Benzene Removal 2705.2.1.3 Aim and Objectives 2715.2.2 Materials and Methods 2725.2.2.1 System Design and Operation 2725.2.2.2 Biodegradation and Volatilisation 2735.2.3 Results and Discussion 2745.2.3.1 Treatment Performance 2745.2.3.2 Impact of Volatilisation 2805.2.4 Conclusions 2805.3 Diesel Oil Spillage Removal Using Agricultural Waste Products 2815.3.1 Introduction 2815.3.2 Materials and Methods 2825.3.2.1 Materials 2825.3.2.2 Methods 2825.3.3 Results and Discussion 2845.3.3.1 Sorption Capacity of the Agricultural Wastes 2845.3.3.2 Floating Performance of the Wastes 2855.3.3.3 Orthogonal Design 2865.3.4 Conclusions and Recommendations 2905.4 Kohonen Self-Organising Map to Predict Biochemical Oxygen Demand 2905.4.1 Introduction 2905.4.2 Literature Review 2915.4.3 Methodology 2925.4.4 Case Study 2945.4.5 Numerical Analysis and Modelling 2965.4.6 Results 2975.4.7 Discussion 3025.4.8 Conclusions and Recommendations 304References 3046 Sludge Dewatering Tests 3116.1 Dewaterability Assessment Including the Capillary Suction Time Test 3116.1.1 Introduction 3116.1.2 Materials and Methodology 3126.1.2.1 Capillary Suction Time Devices and Measurements 3126.1.2.2 Testing of Different Papers 3136.1.2.3 Testing of Different Sludges 3146.1.2.4 Stirred Capillary Suction Time Test 3156.1.3 Results and Discussion 3166.1.3.1 Single Radii Test and Paper Application 3166.1.3.2 Multi-radii Test and Paper Application 3196.1.3.3 Rectangular Testing Device 3196.1.3.4 Stirring of Sludge to Avoid Sedimentation 3196.1.3.5 Primary Sludge 3206.1.3.6 Surplus Activated Sludge 3206.1.3.7 Synthetic Sludge 3206.1.3.8 Selection of an Alternative Test Apparatus, Procedure and Paper 3216.1.4 Conclusions and Further Research 3216.2 Improved Design and Precision of the Capillary Suction Time Testing Device 3226.2.1 Introduction 3226.2.2 Methodology 3226.2.2.1 Preparation of Synthetic Sludge 3226.2.2.2 Physical and Chemical Properties of Synthetic Sludge 3236.2.2.3 Funnel Sealant 3246.2.2.4 Experimental Design and Testing 3256.2.3 Results and Discussion 3266.2.3.1 Synthetic Sludge Properties 3266.2.3.2 Effect of Sealant on Test Accuracy 3276.2.3.3 Quantifying the Leakage 3326.2.3.4 Specific Resistance to Filtration Accuracy 3336.2.4 Conclusions and Recommendations 3346.3 Sludge Floc Size and Water Composition Impact on Dewaterability 3346.3.1 Introduction 3346.3.2 Materials and Methods 3366.3.2.1 Dewaterability Tests 3366.3.2.2 Coagulants and Mixers 3366.3.2.3 Sample Preparation 3376.3.2.4 Coagulation Experiments 3376.3.3 Results and Discussions 3386.3.3.1 Impact of Synthetic Raw Water Flocs on Dewaterability 3386.3.3.2 Impact of Synthetic Domestic Wastewater Flocs on Dewaterability 3416.3.3.3 Synthetic Raw Water Floc Size Distribution 3426.3.3.4 Synthetic Domestic Wastewater Floc Size Distribution 3426.3.3.5 Natural Water Floc Size Distribution 3436.3.4 Conclusions and Recommendations 343References 3447 Water Availability and Public Health 3497.1 Introduction 3497.2 Methodology 3517.3 Results and Discussion 3537.3.1 Water Resources and Usage 3537.3.2 Water Availability and Public Health 3547.3.3 Potential for Community Involvement 3557.4 Conclusions 355Appendix The Questionnaire 356Section A: Personal Data 356Section B: Household Water Collection and Use 356Section C: Water and Water-Related Diseases 357Section D: Community Water 358Section E: Community Participation in Water Supply Development 359References 360Index 363