Water Services Research Articles

Pengaruh Pengembangan Karir Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Melalui Burnout Sebagai Variabel Mediasi Pada Karyawan Perusahaan Umum Daerah Air Minum Tirta Bumi Wibawa Kota Sukabumi

The success of an organization in maintaining its existence is through the development of human resources. PERUMDA Air Minum TBW Kota Sukabumi is a company engaged in the field of clean water services, the phenomenon faced by the company from the aspect of human resources is the low performance of employees indicated by the decline in employee punctuality to work hour regulations and employee attendance. The results of field observations on several employees showed the absence of career development, namely job rotation, with the absence of job rotation so far employees feel bored because they have been struggling in the same field for years. This study aims to determine the effect of career development on employee performance through burnout as a mediating variable. The research method used in this study is a quantitative method with a quasi-associative approach. The sampling technique used in this study is saturated sampling with a sample size of 52 employees. The data analysis technique used is Structural Equation Modeling Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) with the help of SmartPls Version 3.2 software. The results of this study indicate that there is no significant influence between career development and employee performance, there is a significant influence between career development and burnout, and burnout cannot mediate career development and employee performance.

Impact of COVID-19 on Farmers: Insights from Factor Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted profound disruptions on global economies, with significant repercussions for agriculture and rural communities. This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on farmers through factor analysis, focusing on socio-economic dynamics and resilience in the agricultural sector. Data was collected from rural communities through focus group discussions, personal and key informant interviews in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka, India, during the peak of the pandemic. Factor analysis was employed to identify underlying variables and explore the relationships among them. Results indicate that the pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges faced by smallholder farmers, disrupting agricultural activities and livelihoods. Factors such as education, family size, and farm size emerged as critical determinants of resilience, emphasizing the importance of socio-economic empowerment and resource access. Additionally, infrastructure and resource availability, represented by factors like water resources and service sector facilities, played pivotal roles in shaping agricultural outcomes. Insights from the principal component analysis (PCA) provide valuable guidance for policymakers and practitioners in devising targeted interventions to mitigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in rural areas. By understanding the key factors driving socio-economic dynamics and agricultural productivity, stakeholders can foster sustainable development and resilience in agricultural communities amidst unprecedented global crises like COVID-19. The study underscores the urgent need for evidence-based strategies to address the multifaceted impacts of the pandemic, ensuring the well-being and resilience of farmers and rural communities in the face of uncertainty and adversity. Based on the findings, it is recommended that policymakers prioritize socio-economic empowerment and infrastructure development in rural areas to enhance resilience and sustainable development in agricultural communities, especially during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sustainable Water Use Practices: Behavior and Knowledge Awareness of Applied Science Private University-Students

Jordan is facing a significant challenge with its water resources. Conserving water has become an urgent need. This study aims to provide new evidence on the behavior and knowledge awareness of water conservation for Applied Science Private University ASU students and how it affects water-saving behaviors. This study was applied to a stratified random sample from the ASU that included 134 students. A special questionnaire was distributed to the study sample, including the various study variables: gender, age, place of residence, and income. The questionnaire also included questions about behavior and knowledge awareness toward water conservation conviction about the reality of the water scarcity problem. Students showed good knowledge of sustainable Jordanian water sources and realized the limitations of these resources. ASU students practice water-saving behaviors in households, gardening, and swimming pools. They also adopt tools and practices to save water in their communities. This was evidenced by their concern about purchasing water-saving tools and interacting with posts related to water conservation on various social media platforms. Results showed that ASU students are concerned about water-saving education. The results revealed no significant differences in behavior and knowledge awareness towards water conservation attributed to gender, age, and level of study for father and mother, faculty, governorates, and average family income. The implementation of water waste reduction measures is expected to save about 10 million cubic meters of water, thereby improving water services for the people of Jordan, and contributing to strengthening resilience to climate change. Moreover, the project will contribute to reducing electricity consumption.

Unveiling the Hidden Power of Water Services Development Plans

South African Water Services Authorities (WSAs) have been grappling with the challenge of providing sustainable water and sanitation services which is a product of the sector’s inadequate planning and practices systems. Consequently, many communities which are the end-users endure inadequate access to sustainable water and sanitation services. Thus, establishing effective planning mechanisms becomes crucial to ensure the provision of adequate and sustainable water and sanitation services, and this is the central problem of analysis and prescription for this paper. Notably, the paper recommends an already existing systems approach to local governance that takes advantage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to drive the modernisation of water and sanitation planning processes which are the Municipal Strategic Self-Assessment (MuSSA) and the Water Services Development Plan (WSDP). Through an emic perspective, systematic search of literature, and document analysis, this paper examines the 2022 MuSSA reports of Western Cape and Gauteng, to identify the challenges faced by the provinces. The findings reveal deficiencies in the Western Cape's investment in asset renewal, infrastructure management, reduction of non-revenue water, and adherence to national standards. Similarly, Gauteng requires comprehensive reforms to address financial instability, asset management, and regulatory compliance. The paper also examines the progress of WSDP development in the 2022-2027 cycle, specifically focusing on the 2022-2023 financial cycle to assess WSAs' compliance. Results indicate that, of 25 WSAs in the Western Cape, only 10 have initiated WSDP development, while 15 lag behind. In Gauteng, only 2 of 9 WSAs have begun the process. Notably, both provinces are behind schedule, having been expected to initiate WSDP development in 2022. The findings of this paper, give an invaluable snippet of the water services planning mechanisms at the local government to ensure proper monitoring and adequate intervention at a local level whilst ensuring the streamlining of resource allocation and recommends that the national government reflects on its shortcomings of ensuring legislative compliance by local government.

Institutional Framework and Governance of the Water Sector and the Implication on Service Delivery

Water governance discourses usually state that “water crisis is a crisis of governance”. Improving governance is thus critical in ensuring water security. This study examines water sector governance and institutional framework's impact on service delivery. It employs a qualitative approach with Klang Valley, Selangor as the case study. Policy actors from federal and state governments are interviewed for primary data. Secondary data includes documents and archival records. The findings show that water service delivery was hampered by unclear jurisdiction, conflicting priorities, financial constraints, and the absence of political will. These findings imply that overcoming these challenges can be the basis for improving water service delivery system.

School health and nutrition services for children and adolescents in Tanzania: A review of policies and programmes.

School health and nutrition programmes are effective strategies to address the health problems among school-going children and adolescents. We examined the policy environments, successesand bottlenecks associated with school health and nutrition programmes in Tanzania. We used the 'policy triangle framework' to examine 22 national and regional school health and nutrition policies and programmes in Tanzania. We also interviewed 16 key informants to gain further insights into school health and nutrition programmes. Several school health and nutrition policies in Tanzania outline the basic elements of school-based health and nutrition services. Yet, these documents neither recognise vulnerable groups, recommend age-appropriate strategies to address children's and adolescents' varied and transient needs, nor provide a framework for implementing and tracking recommended activities. In these documents, underweight and infectious diseases, including humanimmunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, are frequently identified as major concerns of young people, with little or no consideration of social determinants. Diverse strategies including school feeding, water and sanitation services, health and nutrition educationand promotion of healthy behaviours are identified. In doing so, these documents adequately define the roles and responsibilities of all government actors, but young people and their guardians are not actively engaged in design and implementation. Additionally, there are several challenges to implementing these policies including budgetary constraints, limited resources, a lack of inter-sectoral coordinationand insufficient capacity within targeted schools. To improve the health and nutritional status of school-going children and adolescents in Tanzania, adequate budgets, strengthened coordination and implementation efforts, the development of school-based stakeholders' capacity, as well as the involvement of all other stakeholders, including adolescents, are imperative.

School health and nutrition environments: A multicountry survey in five countries of sub-Saharan Africa region-Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, South Africa, Sudan, and Tanzania.

Schools are increasingly regarded as a key setting for promoting the health, well-being, and development of children and adolescents. In this multicountry cross-sectional survey, we describe the health, nutrition, and food environments of public primary schools in five urban settings in Africa region: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Durban; South Africa, Khartoum, Sudan; and, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We evaluated the school health and nutrition (SHN) environments in three main areas: (1) the availability of health-related policies, guidelines, and school curricula, (2) the provision of health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)services in schools, and (3) the school food environments and eating habits of adolescents. We used stratified random sampling to recruit 79 schools from five countries. Trained fieldworkers collected standardized questionnaire data from 79 school administrators, 765 food vendors, and 4999 in-school adolescents aged 10-15 years. In our study, 24 out of 79 school administrators were aware of their school's health-related policies and guidelines while 30 schools had a specific SHN curriculum. In general, health, nutrition, and WASH services were inadequate. Possibly due to a lack of school kitchens, 14.4% of students bought snacks and unhealthy foods from food vendors. Our study indicates that schools' food and nutrition environments are insufficient to improve adolescent health and nutrition in the African region, including limited coverage of SHN policies, suboptimal facilities and nutrition services, and unregulated food environments. Schools in sub-Saharan Africa need to improve their health and nutrition environments.

Consideration of water policies in the urban development plans of Delhi: A collaborative planning perspective

AbstractThis paper discusses collaborative planning principles as a means to improve water supply systems in the case of Delhi, India, through primary and secondary data analysis. The theory of collaborative planning is a well‐established concept applied to obtain effective policies in planning through the collaboration of actors in a shared space. We use this framework to discuss strengths, weaknesses, and scope for collaboration in the current urban development plan formulation process of the city. Some of the principles of collaborative planning we use include communication, collective decision‐making processes, and network power in a shared institutional environment. Our findings indicate a lack of consideration of water policies in the urban development plans. This underlines a major gap in the current process of plan formulation and provides evidence that the absence of collaboration between institutions in both sectors contributes to poor water supply for the population in Delhi. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of collaborative practices between urban development and water institutions for better planning of water service provision in Indian cities.

Improving Resilience in Water Distribution Systems: An Application of the House of Risk Method at PDAM Gowa Unit Tompobulu

PDAM Gowa, a local government-owned company, plays a vital role in supplying clean water to the Tompobulu community in Gowa District. However, ensuring efficient and reliable water distribution poses challenges at the local and regional levels. This research focuses on enhancing the resilience of the water distribution system to mitigate various risks. The study utilizes the House of Risk (HOR) method for effective risk management and developing suitable mitigation strategies within PDAM's framework. The research identifies 10 risk events and 17 risk factors that affect water distribution in PDAM. Key risks include pipe leakage and supply disruptions. To mitigate these risks, the study proposes nine actionable recommendations for PDAM Gowa Unit Tompobulu. These recommendations involve regular maintenance of distribution infrastructure and equipment to ensure system quality and reliability. Additionally, improving pipe network condition monitoring, implementing leakage control policies, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders to address water supply disruptions are crucial mitigation measures. This research significantly contributes to understanding the risk management associated with water distribution in PDAM. By implementing the recommended mitigation strategies, PDAM Gowa Unit Tompobulu can reduce water distribution risks, enhance system efficiency, and provide improved clean water services to consumers. Moreover, the study has the potential to drive scientific progress and promote the development of best practices and technologies in the drinking water industry.

Analysis of the clean water use index for the development of an integrated and sustainable clean water service program in Bali Province

The water usage index according to the Ministry of Public Works is a comparative value between water needs divided by water availability. In this regard, there are four categories of water usage index, namely non-critical, light critical, medium critical and heavy critical categories. This category is important as a basis for integrated and sustainable clean water services in the province of Bali. The results of this study are the value of the water usage index for each Regency/City in Bali as a basis for developing clean water services. The method in this study is quantitative analysis. The results of the study will be published in the international journal IRJEIS.

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND IT’S INFLUENCE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF WATER PROJECTS IN MACHAKOS COUNTY OF KENYA

Objective: This study focused on the extent to which Community empowerment influence Implementation of water projects in Machakos County of Kenya. Accessibility to safe water has been a great challenge not only in Machakos County but to the developing world. The purpose of this study was to establish Community empowerment influence on Implementation of water projects in Machakos County of Kenya. Theoretical Framework: The study was anchored on Pragmatic paradigm and used descriptive survey research design. The target population for this study was Machakos County water representatives both staff and Community. Research sample comprised of, Water Resources Users Association officials, Water Resource Management Authority employees, County Ministry of Water and Irrigation staff, Water Services Trust Fund staff and Tana Athi Water Services Agency Staff, giving a total target population of 572 individuals. Method: The sample size of the study was derived from the various strata’s by using Krejcie and Morgan Table for sample size determination which gave a sample size of 226 participants. The research instruments used included: questionnaires; Key informant Interviews, Focus Group discussions, observation, documents review and Interview guides. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, composite mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data was analysed by content analysis. Research Implications: This Study is significant to policy makers, students, water agency managers and primary stakeholders in the research region. It was concluded that Community empowerment significantly influence implementation of water projects in Machakos County in Kenya.

Households’ access and expenditure on water services: Examining intra-urban differences in the Accra metropolis, Ghana

Despite years of investment into the water sector in Ghana, access to and expenditure on potable water for drinking and domestic use remain a challenge for most urban households. However, within the urban context, the severity of water challenges varies from one residential community to another, with less research attention often given to such intra-urban differences. To address this gap, this study examines differences in household access and expenditure on pipe-borne water in three varying socio-economic residential communities in Accra. The study used a convergent mixed method design and drew on secondary literature, to examine the differences in households' access to and expenditure on water. The findings revealed that Jamestown, a low-income residential community, had the lowest connection to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) grid, with many respondents depending on pipe-borne water outside dwellings operated by private water retailers. While the findings showed no significant differences in the regularity of flow and expenditure on water among the three varying socio-economic communities, the paper argues that low-income communities such as Jamestown are likely to be more affected due to existing socio-economic deprivation and vulnerability contexts. Based on the study findings, we recommend that efforts be made to increase investment in water infrastructure to enable households to connect to the GWCL grid. Attention should also be given to low-income households, who often lack the means to pay for services that will enable them to connect to the GWCL grid. Further, we recommend improved collaboration between local communities and GWCL as a way of fostering strategies that address the peculiar water challenges in local communities.

Leveraging Participatory Science for Tackling Water Supply Challenges in Water-Scarce Developing Regions

This paper explores how participatory science helps address water supply challenges in developing countries suffering from water shortages. In the absence of technical capacity to monitor the water supply system, this participation constitutes an excellent alternative to involve citizens in data collection and evaluation of the quality of the water service. The paper presents the design and implementation of a participatory science platform that enables data about the quality of the water supply in the city of Kharas in Palestine to be collected. Thanks to significant citizen participation, the study demonstrates that participatory science enhances the management of the water supply system and public awareness and engagement. Temporal and spatial analysis of collected data helped us to better understand the water supply system and identify the causes of the water service degradation. The study shows that the success of citizen participation requires cooperation between the water staff and citizens, including continuous dialogue and training and the construction of a friendly citizen participation platform.

Water quality analysis, treatment, and economic feasibility of water services of the Neora River in the fringe area of Neora-Valley National Park, India

ABSTRACT Surface water assessment is essential for an accurate water management plan. The present investigation was focused on quality analysis, treatment, and economic feasibility of the River Neora, a raw water source in the fringe area of the Neora-Valley National Park, India. Pearson's correlations showed a positive correlation (0.629) between temperature and total solids (TS), whereas a negative correlation (−0.23) for dissolved oxygen with other parameters. In ANOVA, F-value (>1) was obtained for all parameters except BOD5. The water quality index (WQI) was determined to find out whether the river water meets the drinking water requirements for local inhabitants in the lower fringe. A high coliform count (approximately 4.5/100 mL) downstream further warranted the design of an advanced treatment, the electrochemical oxidation batch reactor. To maintain the water quality grade, the estimation of water benefits was mandatory. The water consumption for domestic and non-domestic purposes was calculated at 5,314,400 and 1,470,000,000 L/yr, respectively. Obtainability and no tax coverage might have led to the overexploitation of water, which paved the way for monetary evaluation (US$695.29). This study provided an overview of the potential of River Neora, which can be restored in the long run by adopting the water development policies by the government.

Space-time distribution of intestinal infectious diseases and their association with socioeconomic variables in Ecuador.

Intestinal infectious diseases are a global concern in terms of morbidity, and they are closely linked to socioeconomic variables such as quality of life, weather and access to healthcare services. Despite progress in spatial analysis tools and geographic information systems in epidemiology, studies in Ecuador that evaluate temporal trends, specific geographic groups, and their correlation with socioeconomic variables are lacking. The absence of such information makes it challenging to formulate public health policies. This study sought to identify the spatial and temporal patterns of these diseases in Ecuador, along with their correlation with socioeconomic variables. In Ecuador, the study was carried out in a continental territory, focusing on data related to intestinal infectious diseases collected from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos) during the period from 2014 to 2019. This study involved spatial and temporal analyses using tools such as the global Moran's index and Local Indicators of Spatial Association to identify spatial clustering patterns and autocorrelation. Additionally, correlations between morbidity rates and socioeconomic variables were examined. During the investigated period, Ecuador registered 209,668 cases of these diseases. Notable variations in case numbers were identified, with a 9.2% increase in 2019 compared to the previous year. The most impacted group was children under 5 years old, and the highest rates were centered in the southern and southwestern regions of the country, with Limón Indanza and Chunchi being the cantons with the highest rates, notably showing a significant increase in Limón Indanza. Additionally, there were significant correlations between morbidity rates and socioeconomic variables, school dropout rates, low birth weight, and access to water services. This study emphasizes the importance of considering socioeconomic variables when addressing these diseases in Ecuador. Understanding these correlations and geospatial trends can guide the development of health policies and specific intervention programs to reduce the incidence in identified high-risk areas. More specific research is needed to understand the underlying causes of variability in morbidity and develop effective prevention strategies.

Effectiveness of climate resilient water safety plans in Nepal

ABSTRACT Water supply schemes (WSSs) in Nepal are managed by water user committees with basic knowledge of climate change. The Government of Nepal has committed and prioritized improving the quality of water services by implementing climate-resilient water safety plans (CR-WSPs) in 10 WSSs. In this study, how tough water sanitation and hygiene (HTIW) framework was adopted to assess the effectiveness of these CR-WSPs, which include four groundwater and six protected springs-based WSSs. Employing the HTIW framework, this study adopted the six key indicators environment, infrastructure, management, community governance and engagement, institutional support, and supply chains to evaluate CR-WSPs effectiveness. The indicators were then assessed using a Likert scale. Resilient schemes are needed to demonstrate a capacity to respond effectively to challenges such as unforeseen extreme events and potential hazards, together with an aptitude for financial management, laboratory maintenance, and social inclusion. Less resilient schemes tend to be those linked to social inclusion or financial issues. Institutional support and supply chain domain scored four and were relatively strong among them. The findings of this study suggest that CR-WSPs can be an important metric tool to assess climate resilience and guide policymakers in low- and middle-income countries.

Improving the drinking water supply system in the capital of Tomia Timur Subdistrict, Tomia Island, Wakatobi Regency

This research aims to improve the Municipal Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM IKK) in East Tomia, Wakatobi Regency, using a combined method approach and involving 76 participants. The findings indicate that water services in East Tomia adhere to the 4K principles (Quantity, Quality, Continuity, and Accessibility), with an increase in water volume despite some distribution challenges. Water quality remains high due to regular testing, and continuous service is ensured through ongoing maintenance, making the service accessibility for the community. Strategic improvements over the next 5-10 years include the implementation of solar-powered pumps, expansion of storage infrastructure, and enhancement of the distribution system to improve efficiency and sustainability. Recommendations include infrastructure upgrades, adoption of green technology, consistent quality checks, and support from proactive local government policies.

Scaling up the practice of water operators’ partnership (WOP) and its linkages with investment programmes

ABSTRACT Funding is limiting the extent to which water operators can engage in helping one another to increase access to water and sanitation services. Besides capacity development support, Water Operators' Partnerships are increasingly supporting mobilisation, implementation and sustainability of investment programmes. This paper aims to deepen the understanding of the current funding scenario for Water Operators` Partnerships, identify obstacles, and explore possibilities to promote the mobilisation of additional funds. It does so by analysing costs, sizes, sources of funding and the co-existence of WOPs with investment programmes. Some significant findings include the increasing recognition of the positive influence of WOPs not only by donors but also by development financial institutions, the emergence of WOP-dedicated programmes, the great potential of funds coming from decentralised development funding mechanisms, and the multiple scenarios in which WOPs and investment programmes co-exist. Salient challenges are the low reach of information related to WOP outcomes and the low feasibility of WOPs being funded by the technical assistance component of investment programmes. A remarkable highlight is the invitation from development financial institutions to WOP proponents to join forces in identifying ways to secure the best alignment and synergies between WOP support and investment programmes.

Decarbonizing cities through electrification: A strategic study for densely built residential districts in Southern Italy

This paper presents a strategic analysis of the potential for energy savings and decarbonization in a densely built residential district through the synergistic implementation of electrification and building retrofitting measures. The study specifically focuses on the energy performance achievable when completely electrifying the Heating, Cooling, and Domestic Hot Water (DHW) services of a densely built urban district in Catania (Italy), including more than 200 residential buildings. The research thus models the district's energy systems to assess the impact of various scenarios, which include individual measures tailored for thermal systems as well as a comprehensive approach that combines full electrification, on-site renewable energy integration and building envelope retrofitting. The findings underline the effectiveness of the combined scenario, which results in cancelling natural gas consumption while also reducing by around 57 % the amount of electrical energy purchased from the grid, with a final 70 % decrease in carbon emissions. Of particular relevance is the efficacy of upgrading thermal systems alongside PV system installation, under the hypothesis of creating a stand-alone electric grid for the entire district that can exchange electricity with the existing network when needed. Under these premises, the energy procurement from the electric network can be reduced by 40 %.

ANALYSIS OF THE EFFICIENCY OF TRADITIONAL TECHNOLOGIES OF WATER PREPARATION OF THE KREMENCHUK RESERVOIR OF THE DNIPRO RIVER TO ENSURE DRINKING NEEDS

An analysis of the efficiency of the surface water treatment systems of the Dnipro reservoirs when their quality is changed to ensure the normative indicators of the quality of drinking water were carried out. The study of the effectiveness of traditional water treatment technologies was carried out by analyzing the results of laboratory studies of source and drinking water at the Dnipro water treatment plant with water intake from the Kremenchuk Reservoir (data from the Svitlovodsk Water and Sewage Services (SWS) of the Regional Municipal Production Enterprise (RMPE) of the Dnipro-Kirovograd), establishing correlations of quality indicators and assessing the state of water resources by the requirements of water legislation. The treatment plants of the Dnipro water supply station are not designed to treat water with a high content of biogenic substances during active phytoplankton vegetation, and under such conditions, increased doses of preliminary chlorination are used. As a result, water is polluted with residual chlorine and organochlorine. An increase in the dose of aluminum-containing coagulants in the corresponding period leads to an increase in the aluminum content in drinking water to the limit of the normative value (0,5 mg/dm3). According to the results of research in drinking water, turbidity was found to be 1,4 higher and permanganate oxidizability 1,3 higher than the standard content; excesses of color, iron, and residual chlorine content were found only sporadically and were on average within the upper limits of normative values. Correlation analysis (Pearson and Spearman correlations methods) of the influence of temperature on the following hydrometric, chemical, and physical factors was carried out: changes in turbidity, color, and changes in the concentration of total iron and ammonia. The analysis confirmed the visual connection of oxygen with temperature and water level and the influence of factors on oxygen concentration. The practical aspects of phytoplankton extraction during water intake from Dnipro reservoirs and water treatment at stations have gained further scientific justification.