Theses and dissertations (Engineering and Built Environment)

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Characterisation of concrete with expanded polystyrene, eggshell powder and non-potable water : a case study
(2023-05) Mncwango, Bonke; Allopi, Dhiren
Urbanisation has brought many benefits but it has also highlighted the global lack of housing alongside global natural resource scarcity. Lack of housing on the surface appears to be a singular problem, however in reality it represents a number of society’s biggest challenges such as crime, pollution (as a result of inadequate waste disposal strategies), unhygienic living conditions, as well as numerous health problems. Governments across the world have made various attempts at addressing the issue of lack of housing, including embarking on large scale social and public housing initiatives, building smaller homes for the homeless, as well as removing certain regulatory barriers to allow more houses to be built at a reduced timeframe. These advances have assisted many individuals and families globally, however, there are still many individuals and families that government housing-aid or housing initiatives have not yet reached. These individuals and families are faced with solving their housing crisis on their own, with their own resources. Globally, concrete remains a supreme building material in the construction industry and therefore is a primary factor of consideration for solving the housing crisis, especially for those who have no financial assistance or aid from government. Concrete’s composition is simple: cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water. The intricate interaction between all four components is meant to stand the test of time. Unfortunately, it is not only the earth’s diminishing natural resource reserves which are causing a decline in the popularity of conventionally produced concrete, but it is also the irreparable harm that it is causing to the environment. The process of concrete production requires large volumes of cement, and cement remains one of the biggest producers of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which in excessive amounts creates a cover that traps the sun’s heat energy in the atmosphere. Another major criticism of conventional concrete is the requirement that it be produced with clean water which is of a drinkable standard. This criticism is justified when considering the extreme water shortages that are experienced by many low to middle income countries around the world. The amount of financial and human resources that local authorities invest in cleansing water to bring it to a drinkable standard is often overlooked. It is obvious that it is less expensive to use water directly from a river in its natural state than using it after it has undergone numerous cleansing processes by local authorities. There have been a notable number of advances in making concrete more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly. These include the advent of lightweight concretes such as expanded polystyrene concrete. Expanded polystyrene concrete not only saves the amount of aggregate that would normally be required in conventional concrete, it also has excellent acoustic and thermal properties, thereby reducing energy consumption which in turn saves money. However, even with such excellent properties, expanded polystyrene concrete still fails to address two of concrete’s major criticisms which are related to the amount of cement used as well as the amount of clean potable water required for mixing. Therefore, by building on the qualities of expanded polystyrene concrete, this research investigates the potential of lowering the amount of cement required in a concrete mix through the use of eggshell powder. Eggshells are a waste product found everywhere in the world and are readily available in almost limitless quantities. The use of eggshells in concrete to lower the amount of cement required will not only achieve a reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide that is produced in the process of producing concrete, it will also assist in contributing toward solving the escalating waste disposal crisis that currently exists for many waste types such as eggshells. It is common for communities to reside close to a river or a natural flowing watercourse, so this research included river water as a variable. Four different concrete mix scenarios were tested to ascertain through experimentation whether the strength properties of concrete that contains expanded polystyrene, eggshell powder and natural river water in various proportions could in any way compare to a conventionally produced concrete mix. In order to comprehensively study material behaviour in this case, sieve analysis, bulk density, fineness modulus, moisture content as well as specific gravity tests were performed on all aggregates used. Furthermore, in order to achieve the required analytical depth for the materials being studied, x-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy tests were conducted. As a means of conducting further trend analysis on the different experimental mixes, logarithmic regression models were developed. Through analysis of the output attained from the aforementioned strategies, this research study found that when cement was substituted by eggshell powder at a percentage of 5 % and simultaneously when coarse aggregate was also substituted by expanded polystyrene at a percentage of 5 %, all mixed with non-potable water, the compressive and flexural strength outcomes marginally differed from the strength outcomes of conventionally produced concrete. Furthermore, the substitution of stone by EPS at a percentage of 10 % when mixed with river water was comparable to the substitution of stone by EPS at a percentage of 10 % when mixed with potable water. The results showed that there was a difference of not more than 1.4 MPa and 0.3 MPa in compressive and flexural strength respectively amongst the averages obtained at each age tested. Study results show that the substitution of potable water by non-potable water reduced both the compressive and flexural strength of the concrete when the mix did not contain eggshell powder. However, when eggshell powder was included in the mix, the strength outcomes of the compressive and flexural strength of the concrete mix was comparable to that of conventionally produced concrete. There may be many reasons why it is important to not deviate from convention in the production of numerous products such as concrete; nevertheless, the value of experimentation as demonstrated in this research is that experimentation can give rise to a variety of innovations accompanied by a wealth of solutions to the environmental and socio-economic issues that the world is currently faced with.
A critical analysis of participation using the planning context of the Durban Back of Port Precinct
(2023-05) Ngubane, Sibongiseni Memory; Hansmann, Robynne; Musvoto, Godfrey
Communities located in the Durban Back of Port area experience the compounded burden of environmental degradation with the legacy of untransformed Apartheid neighbourhoods. Despite the documented concerns and priority to deal with the cumulative environmental impacts on the communities of South Durban within planning policy documents, the participation process is unclear. Poorly defined participation processes not only inhibit the substantial issues being raised but fail to inform processes to address the concerns raised. These weakly defined civic engagements were found in the study to reflect some of the implementation challenges in the field of urban planning. The primary aim of the research study is to critically analyse participation processes for development as outlined in planning policy documents to make proposals within the context of the Durban Back of Port case study from sampled stakeholder categories; corporate community, civil society, and government. The Durban Back of Port case study is a geographical area under the authority of eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal. This precinct represents a situation where communities live near one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s busiest industrial areas, and at the backside area of one of the most active ports in Africa. This research study found the precinct residents to have been subjected to both environmental racism, and post-Apartheid environmental injustice. The study area presents contrasting land uses, where negative externalities of industrial development impact on the adjacent residential uses. In effect, the legacy of Apartheid spatial planning is layered with environmental racism and has evolved into environmental injustice in present time. This is a qualitative research study that applies hybrid analytical tools; document analysis, policy analysis and thematic analysis to critically analysis participation processes within the case study. This research study established three type categories of stakeholders representing varying interest; economic, social, and environmental. The purposely sampled categories comprised of corporate community, civil society, and the spheres of government, these are organisations that are either located or have jurisdictional authority in the Durban Back of Port. It uses the theoretical lenses of Environmental Justice, Advocacy Planning, Communicative Rationality and Action, Collaborative Planning, Participatory Planning, and Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation to better understand participation processes.
Integrated hydrological modelling for sustainable water allocation planning : Mkomazi Basin, South Africa case study
(2018) Amoo, Taiwo Oseni; Dzwairo, Bloodless; Allopi, Dhiren
Allocation of freshwater resources between societal needs and natural ecological systems is of great concern for water managers. This development has challenged decision-makers regarding how to reasonably allocate available water resources to meet the competing demands. Thus, turning these concerns into opportunities requires the need for both water technology innovation and water behavioural change, in order to manage fresh water in a sustainable manner. This study aimed at investigating the applicability of an integrated hydrological model in a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) environment for sustainable water allocation planning and management, using the Mkomazi Basin in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, as a case study. Specifically, the study identified ecosystems that depend on Mkomazi River for preservation of their environmental and public benefit values; developed a water allocation mechanism to achieve equitable water distribution and large benefits from water uses across the basin’s users; synthesised rules for sustainable development in sharing the limited water resources and maintaining environmental quality; and finally, established a framework for water trading in order to encourage water use efficiency and allow movement of water to new users. Historical 15-year (1990-2015) observed streamflows and daily meteorological variables (precipitation sums (mm), relative humidity (%), wind speed (m s_1), mean, minimum and maximum air temperature (oC), solar radiation (MJ/m2), sunshine duration (h) and evapotranspiration (mm)) were used for this study. The hydro-meteorological data collected from various sources were subjected to frequency trend analysis, correlation, regression and the double mass curve to test their accuracy, reliability, homogeneity, consistency and localisation gaps. The ombro-thermic diagram was used to classify the months into wet and dry periods. iii The identification of prominent ecosystems that depend on the Mkomazi River was achieved through a comprehensive desktop survey and documentation acquired from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). Multivariate statistical methods; cluster, factor and principal component analysis, were applied to analyse the surface water quality data sets extracted from the repository of South Africa’s water resources website (WR2012), in other assess their impact on the aquatic net benefit values and environmental preservation. A semi-distributed event process and an integrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in a GIS environment, with descriptive statistical of mean, median, mode, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis were employed to simulate the basin’s hydrological process in evaluating the basin’s water balance. The SWAT model was parameterised, calibrated and validated from corrected hydro-meteorological data from 2004 to 2013. Sequential Uncertainty Fitting Algorithm (SUFI2) was used for the model sensitivity analysis, calibration and validation of the model. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Probability Distribution Functions (PDF), and a Flow Duration Curve (FDC) were used to project future available water. Based on the estimated available water, an estimation of allocable water was made based on percentage dependability of the river yield to the different users. The weilbul ranking was used for choosing the dependable flow; this was subsequently used for the different water riparian’s demand distribution. Large benefits derivation from water uses across the basin’s users was based on priority-driven sustainability. Extensive literature review work was used to synthesise rules for sharing limited water resources and maintaining environmental quality for sustainable development. These rules were all drawn from similar world experiences for efficient and gainful utilisation of water and other natural resources. The synthesised rules and principles were modified to suit iv KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN) water allocation reform regulations. The established water rules were subsequently adapted to the present (Mkomazi) case study area. The proposed developed water trading framework leans on an inclusive simulation of ‘Hydrology, Environment, Life (aquatics), Policy and Sensitivity’ (HELPS) collective response of the basin in exploring the socio-economic and environmental consequences of water regulation. It uses a System Dynamic (SD) simulation technique to form a composite supply-side augmentation with demand-side improvement system to allow movement of water to new users and encourage water use efficiency. The results of the agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the 10 sub-basin sites into three clusters of highly polluted (HP), medium polluted (MP) and relatively less polluted (LP) group basins with latent factors of 81.9, 3.14 and 0.858 (%) in the total water quality variance data sets. The water quality index analysis shows a mild effect on irrigation farming and aquatic species. The results of water balance simulation show that mean monthly values were 28.6 m3/s over the years with Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values of 0.83 and a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.77 at validation stage. The Curve Number (CN) is the most sensitive parameter for the estimation of both streamflow and water yield within the catchment. Other water balance simulation ratios include: Streamflow/precipitation (0.4 mm); Baseflow/Total flow (0.67 mm); Surface Runoff/Total flow (0.33 mm); Percolation/precipitation (0.20 mm); Deep recharge/precipitation (0.01 mm) with an Evapotranspiration/precipitation ratio of 0.58 mm respectively. The water allocation results in the different dependable flow rates of 60%, 70%, and 85% reliability revealed it to be 17465.56, 8068.04 and 6373.35 (m3/s) at U1H009 discharge station, respectively. The synthesised literature rules suggest water allocation reform acts should be catalysed v through the institutionalisation of capacity developmental platforms where climate change transformation experts and other stakeholders have input in legislating water reform acts, which should be supported by a strong political will. The invented SD framework confirms agricultural water use as the highest demand when compared with other users. Its sustainability index was evaluated as the ratio of aggregated possible water demand relative to the corresponding supply in the same period. The result shows an integrated scenario which combines rainfall variation with improved irrigation water use efficiency and gives the optimal sustainability performance index (0.25) of the system at 70% dependable flow. The simulated water balance results also reveal the use of scientific visualisation techniques in QSWAT to model spatially distributed and time-varying hydrologic-meteorological data sets in evaluating the water balance, while its calibration and validation in SWAT Calibration Uncertainty Procedure (SWAT-CUP) algorithm connotes a strong model efficiency performance. The developed SD framework provides comprehensive assessment methodology for the decision-maker in assessing water trading. The applied integrated model can be used in similar river basins sharing related attributes to the study area in resolving the current water – stressed challenges in South Africa as well as other regions of the globe. Considering the extent of the drought and the paucity of the uneven allocation of water resources at the study area, the needfulness of integrated hydrological models such as SWAT and ANNs cannot be overemphasised in ensuring the sustainability of Mkomazi Basin, while unlocking the untapped potential of water resources for the development of the agricultural and industrial sectors, and still meeting the requirements of the ecosystem.
Integrating planning and environmental legislation within municipal planning in South Africa : a case study in Durban eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
(2021-05-27) Ally, Nadia; Musvoto, Godfrey Gombana
In the context of municipal planning in South Africa, planning legislation and environmental legislation, along with statutory procedures, run parallel to each other and are not integrated. The research study focused on achieving a more efficient development application process by means of the integration of environmental legislation, planning legislation and procedures in municipal planning. Disjointed development application procedures and policies in municipal planning delay the development application approval process, thereby delaying development, and this has a ripple effect on the economy. The research problem focuses on the misalignment of environmental and planning legislation within municipal planning, at a development planning level. The research problem is set in the context of large-scale urbanisation, linked with the associated economic, social and environmental challenges. The study argues that in order to address these challenges a sustainable development approach needs to be adopted. The concept of integration is central to the sustainable development approach. Greater integration will facilitate the development application and approval process via the elimination of silo mentality, which will assist in achieving the goal of sustainable development. The concept of integration in sustainable development and the manner in which the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and New Zealand have integrated their planning and environmental systems to achieve the goal of sustainable development, are examined and compared to the approach taken in South Africa. The study identifies strategies towards the formulation of an outline for integrated environmental and planning policies and development application procedures in municipal planning in South Africa. The case study of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is used as it is the largest municipality in KwaZulu Natal. eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality has a number of large-scale catalytic projects that are development-driven, yet encompass environmental, planning, and economic challenges appropriate for the research study. The Point Waterfront Development and the Yellowwood Park Housing Development were the two projects selected in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality for in-depth analysis. The methodology for the study is a qualitative approach with the use of case study research, a precedent study, and a legal history analysis. The data collection involved three phases: questionnaires, interviews and a focus group discussion undertaken with the professionals involved in these projects. The key challenges identified which hinder the development application process and reinforce the silo mentality in municipal departments were inadequate public participation processes and public awareness; conflicting policies and internal processes; and lack of political will. The research further recommends a basis for integrated policy formulation in municipal planning in South Africa. An outcomes-based thinking approach was used by the focus group discussion to identify possible underlying causes of the identified challenges. The identification of underlying causes enabled the development of strategies towards the formulation of a framework for greater integration. The key strategies identified were a single computer aided system for the entire municipality using standard operating procedures; multi-disciplinary decision-making bodies; improved internal and external communication; enhanced in-house training and community awareness; review of current policies and bylaws to include integration, and recognition of the practitioners, developers and politicians who promote sustainable development.
An investigation into the structural suitability of standard grade Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) as an innovative building material
(2019-11) Mncwango, Bonke; Allopi, Dhiren
Rapid urbanization has brought numerous economic, cultural and political development in South Africa; however, it has also led to some parts of the country turning into slums. The spread of slums is mainly driven by the lack of adequate housing provision by the Government. Although it has been twenty-five years since South Africa had its first democratic elections, millions of citizens still continue to live under squalid conditions as a result of lack of housing. The South African government cites numerous reasons for not being able to eradicate the housing backlog, including insufficient housing budget allocation as well as the worsening global economic climate. It is evident from the current housing backlogs that more building solutions that can reduce cost and construction time are needed. Further, new building materials should be explored in order to alleviate the environmental pressures that conventional building materials cause on the environment. This research investigates the properties of standard grade Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) as a potential contributor in low-cost housing provision. Currently the construction of EPS dome houses using modified EPS is only occurring outside of South Africa and it requires the possession of intricate moulding equipment. Existing suppliers require a minimum order, for instance, Japan Dome House Company supplies dome houses at a minimum order of three-hundred units. This research examines the potential of carving standard grade EPS into a form of dwelling using a hot-wire tool to re-create a model similar to a commercially produced EPS dome house. EPS components were assembled and left exposed to the elements since the main method of analyses of the live model was through exposure, particularly against rain and wind experienced within the jurisdiction of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Analyses of the live model was supplemented by testing of compression, flexural and thermal qualities of EPS under laboratory conditions. With wind speeds of thirty-nine km/hr and a rainfall intensity of twenty-eight mm, the model was found to still be in its original state of composure after six-months even without having been permanently anchored to the ground. Existing industry models such as Moladi, Khaya ReadyKit and Fischer Housing were examined to provide a standard of comparison for this investigation. This was done in order to distinguish how EPS dome houses differ to current existing alternative building technologies within the sector of low-cost housing. Observation of the model revealed that it is possible to successfully re-create an EPS dome house without complex moulding equipment. Some of the main findings from the laboratory analysis were that, contrary to expectations, thermo-gravimetric analyses of three different densities (fifteen kg/m3, twenty kg/m3 and thirty kg/m3) revealed that as the density of EPS increases, the maximum degradation value decreases. A study of the interaction of the polystyrene beads through microscopic analysis revealed that in higher EPS densities beads can rupture, leading to a compromise in both structural integrity and form. A water absorption test on EPS revealed that the percentage of water absorbed by EPS is similar to that absorbed by clay bricks over a 24-hour period, which makes the materials comparable in this regard. In terms of the outcomes of the study, the researcher has already published articles in three journals and two conference proceedings. This research will be of value to design professionals in alleviating the environmental impacts of commonly used conventional materials through the inclusion of EPS where low compressive loads are permissible.
A model for integrated, high-rise urban living : learning from Durban's beachfront
(2022-05) Bush, Lindsay Ann; Marks, Monique
This study explores the potential of architecture, specifically the residential high-rise, to act as an instrument of spatial justice. It does so by raising a socio-spatial lens to the flats on Durban Beachfront and to the diverse people who inhabit these blocks today. As the research illustrates, the status quo in the study area stands contrary to persistent economic and racial residential segregation in South Africa, thereby challenging low-density development in the country—still the norm 25 years after apartheid. Framed around the notion of spatial justice and the Right to the City, theoretical investigations consider the relationship between inequality and city form, and the role that new housing should play in moving from fragmented to integrated city fabric. The living environments found on Durban Beachfront are counterposed with contemporary housing in South Africa and abroad, to establish what activates ‘the commons’ and to better understand the advantages, disadvantages, and potentialities of vertical urban living. The dissertation interrogates the high-rise building in terms of its suitability for human habitation, the residential density enabled by height, and the possibilities it engenders for meaningful contact and diverse living. Combining interviews and observational data in an ethnographic approach, the study moves between different types of analysis—descriptive, analytical, and normative—to unlock the operational complexity embedded in this unique place and learn about its successes and failures from the user perspective. Immersive fieldwork comprised 101 questionnaire-based interviews, selfadministered in participants’ flats, enquiring into their dwelling experience at four spatial scales, from Individual to Neighbourhood. Results confirmed the human diversity present in this urban strip and found high satisfaction levels across the board, regardless of demographic profile or moderating factors such as floor level, indoor density, or relationship between occupants. Findings reaffirm the improved quality of life that results from inner-city convenience; access to quality public space and nature; and the peace of mind offered by a secure high-rise in a high-crime society. I develop a term, ‘verticolopa’, to describe a high-rise, high-density structure that combines climatically and culturally responsive architectural design with new social landscapes to optimise vertical urban living in this context. The dissertation ends on a normative note, with a set of design guidelines for a new model of mixed-use, mixed-tenure, mixedincome urban housing—the ideal type Verticolapa—which promises real possibilities for urban living that is integrated, affordable, accessible, attractive, and which takes Anthropocene challenges into account.
Municipal planning in dense rural settlements : a case of Mzinyathi in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
(2023-05) Gwala, Sizwe Njabulo; Musvoto, Godfrey Gombana
Municipal planning during the Apartheid era in South Africa was rooted in planning policies and legislation that largely excluded the black population group. It was mostly focused on urban centres and suburbs and largely ignored peripheral areas, especially rural settlements. After 1994, a democratic South Africa emerged, inheriting these difficulties, and attempting to ameliorate the dispersed settlement pattern. This reform was aimed at providing a significant role for local government in planning matters. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa as the supreme law of the country, promotes a developmental role for local government is where with municipal planning being one of its main functions. Municipal planning must be used as a tool to transform the spatial structure created by past planning, by incorporating previously neglected and disadvantaged areas situated on the periphery of city centres into municipal plans. This study presents the findings from an investigation on the role and impact of municipal planning in dense rural settlements. The case study was used as the methodological approach for this research study with Mzinyathi in eThekwini Metropolitan as the chosen case. In the literature review, the concepts and classifications of municipal planning and dense rural settlements are discussed. The literature review also presents international experience and cross references in terms of municipal planning. A mixed method approach which entails both qualitative and quantitative methods and techniques of data collection was used for the empirical data collection. This formed the basis of primary and secondary data that was analysed and synthesized. Based on the findings, it can be deduced that municipal planning has not been effective in improving the conditions of people living in densely populated rural areas. The study has made a reasonable attempt to provide the different aspects of municipal planning which include strategic spatial planning and statutory planning. At the centre of this discussion is whether the effects of municipal plans are reaching their intended recipients and the impact this has made in dense rural settlements. The impact of municipal planning has been affected at a policy level by local government restructuring and planning approaches, and at an institutional level by the dual governance of local government and traditional authorities. Increasing population densities in rural areas due to past planning and current migration trends in eThekwini municipality must be taken into account, and public participation is critical in the process of developing municipal plans to heighten the awareness of municipalities and to ensure that the aspirations of the communities are reflected in the plans The study concludes with recommendations based on the literature review and empirical findings from the Mzinyathi study area in eThekwini Municipality. Recommendations include (1) the development of detailed plans for densely populated rural areas; (2) the harmonization and coordination of institutions, especially between management structures and traditional authorities; (3) the strengthening of cooperative forms of planning to ensure a common development vision; (4) strengthening of the relationship between the municipality and traditional leaders through continued engagement; (5) developing flexible planning methods in traditional areas; and (6) involving marginalized groups in urban planning processes.
The role of business support interventions in promoting spatial justice : a case study of informal economic development in a residential zone, eThekwini (Ward 68)
(2021-12-01) Dayaram, Tanya; Erwin, Kira; Musvoto, Godfrey Gombana
The beginnings of apartheid initiated the manipulation of plans and policy to create cities which deeply entrenched segregation into the landscape of South Africa. This history of spatial exclusion is evident in the study area, Ward 68 in the South Durban Basin (SDB), with its diverse mix of industrial and residential land uses, with a proposed dug-out port planned for the area. In the three suburbs of Ward 68, some homes were spaces in which business was conducted. The diverse land uses, which has introduced formal and informal changes to space, have an impact on the people living and working in this area. In efforts to address the injustices of apartheid, South African strategy and legislation have included support to informal businesses; the National Informal Business Upliftment Strategy (NIBUS) serves as an example. This study uses the term “Business support interventions” (BSI) to describe the diverse approaches to providing financial or non-financial support to businesses. These interventions enable and strengthen informal businesses in residential zones, that is, home-based enterprises (HBE). The appropriateness of BSI and their effect on the quality of local spaces needed to be explored. Inadequate spatial orientation of BSI reduces the impact of HBE projects and programmes in townships. The mixed methods approach to this research includes a methodological design that uses qualitative and quantitative data. This research aims to contribute towards both practical methods for understanding the spatial-economic condition of local urban spaces, and towards providing more nuanced data and knowledge to BSI and urban management in the eThekwini Municipality (Durban). Distinctive challenges for the urban environment are related to the city’s spatial- economic disparities. A spatial justice lens and a case study approach have allowed for a critical investigation of how spatial logic can be applied to collaboratively address challenges of informality in urban spaces.
Synthesis of a model for optimising a potable water treatment plant and water usage analysis in the Ugu District
(2017) Magombo, James; Dzwairo, Bloodless; Moyo, Sibusiso; Dewa, Mendon
Access to clean and adequate water is a universal and basic human right that feeds into the 6th of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This goal aims at ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Clean water is referred to as potable water, which is safe for human consumption and offer low risk of immediate or long term harm. Raw water undergoes rigorous processing which consists of coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection and storage, to produce potable water. Each module or stage consumes chemicals and energy resources and thus incurs costs. To achieve the aim of the study, which was to synthesize an optimised potable water treatment network and a water usage analysis model, the Umzinto Water Treatment Plant (UWTP) and its distribution system was used as the study area. This treatment plant is located within Umdoni, a local municipality of the Ugu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. This study’s objectives were fourfold and the first objective was to identify and quantify key raw water quality parameters affecting treatment at the UWTP. The second objective was to design a genetic algorithm for the potable water treatment process control. The third objective was to evaluate the Umzinto Water Distribution System’s Non-Revenue Water (NRW) while the fourth objective was to develop a model for water usage analysis. For the first objective, data for water quality parameters for the water treatment from July 2006 to June 2013 were statistically analysed. This data were collected from the UWTP’s historical records. To improve the data’s integrity it was pre-processed using cubic hermite interpolation. After the pre-processing trend lines and box plots were used to determine the parameters’ significance compared to the standard values stipulated in the South African National Standard (SANS 241). The trend lines were used to analyse the frequency of observations that were higher than the standard values according to SANS 241. The box plots were used to determine the minimum, median, maximum and mean of the data sets. The mean values for each parameter were compared to the SANS 241 value to determine their significance. The raw water quality parameters were then correlated to the chemical dosages for lime, polymer, potassium permanganate and chlorine. The key parameters selected from the correlation analysis were algal count, manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), Escherichia coli, total coliforms, colour, odour, conductivity, turbidity, suspended solids (SS), pH, temperature, total organic carbon (TOC,) and Hardness. A number of methods can be used to achieve such optimisation, including artificial neural networks, dynamic programming, linear and non-linear programming, and this study utilised a genetic algorithm as an optimisation tool to achieve the second objective of optimising water treatment at the UWTP. For the model development, data from the correlations obtained for objective 1 were used. The model was aimed at reducing the cost of chemical dosage and four chemical dosage prediction models were developed using genetic algorithms and these were then used to produce a combined chemical dosage cost prediction model. The programming interface utilised for these models was Matlab. In developing these models, the data were first pre-processed to remove outliers and fill in the blanks using a Microsoft Excel Add-in that was developed for this particular purpose. The next step involved a curve fitting exercise in Microsoft Excel 2013. Matlab was then used to code the genetic algorithm that combined and optimised the solutions obtained from the curve fittings. The results showed that genetic algorithms can be reliably used to predict the chemical dosages and hence reduce water treatment costs. After treatment, water is pumped into the distribution system for consumption. It is therefore important to ensure that all the pumped out treated water reaches the consumer. The third objective therefore assessed the NRW for the Umzinto Water Distribution System for the period between July 2013 and June 2014. The data used for this objective was provided by the Ugu District Municipality. The method used combined the top-down approach and the component-based approach. This combined approach was modified to enable the calculation of all the components that are required in a standard South African Water Balance. The results showed that the distribution system had a high value of NRW, which was 27.9% of the System Input Volume. The major component of NRW was Real Losses, that is, losses that can be mitigated by improving maintenance. The fourth objective was to develop a model for water usage analysis that would reduce the time taken to evaluate NRW and also improve the analysis of the NRW components using Microsoft Visual Basics 2012 and Microsoft SQL Server 2012 development interfaces. The Visual Basics enabled the development of a graphic user interface that was user-friendly and minimised the time taken to learn the software. The software platform developed was able to import the data required to construct a standard International Water Asssociation (IWA) Water Balance, calculate all the components of NRW, store historical data for the water distribution systems and report on a rolling year basis. A model for water usage analysis was developed and made available for usage by practitioners in Ugu District. The model was developed for the specific study area and further studies would be required in order to validate it in a different setting. The results obtained for the first objective led to the conclusion that, there was very high pollution emanating from communities and activities close to the raw water sources, especially the EJ Smith Dam. The results from the first objective were also used to determine parameters for the models developed in the second objective. From objective two it was concluded that genetic algorithms can be reliably used to predict chemical dosages and hence reduce water treatment costs. The third objective’s results showed that 27.9% of treated water pumped into the distribution system is NRW. Which is a concern because 65% of this are real losses which have maintenance related problems. The fourth objective’s results showed the practicality of designing model that could be used determine all the important components of NRW that would take time to evaluate manually. It would also store historical data for the water distribution system and report on a rolling year basis. Implementation of this software would help minimise the errors associated with manual calculation of NRW and improve the availability of data for research and analysis. From the research findings, it is recommended that the treatment plant should change the way it is dosing chemicals in the balancing tank. The method currently being used is prone to error. The analysis of NRW showed that Real Losses were a major challenge in the Umzinto Distribution System. There is need to develop a maintenance program to cater for leakage. Communities also need to be educated on the importance of reporting leakage in the network.