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ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE WATER AND SANITATION HYGIENE SECTOR: INTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY FACTORS INTO THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS
Title
ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE WATER AND SANITATION HYGIENE SECTOR: INTEGRATING SUSTAINABILITY FACTORS INTO THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS.
Creator
Jeanis, Kaitlyn, Reinhart, Debra, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The world's poorest people, most of whom reside in under-developed nations, lack access to clean water and sanitation facilities, nutritious food, and education (UMP, 2005). These conditions are linked to malnutrition, disease, and low life expectancies (WHO). In an effort to reduce global poverty, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Under Goal 7c the UN denotes that by 2015 the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic...
Show moreThe world's poorest people, most of whom reside in under-developed nations, lack access to clean water and sanitation facilities, nutritious food, and education (UMP, 2005). These conditions are linked to malnutrition, disease, and low life expectancies (WHO). In an effort to reduce global poverty, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Under Goal 7c the UN denotes that by 2015 the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation as compared to the proportion who do should be halved. As a response to this objective the international development (ID) sector has implemented projects aimed at increasing access to clean water and sanitation facilities, yet reports of high rate of project failure continue (Ika, 2012). In this thesis factors contributing to project failures are outlined based on the literature. In response to these findings this thesis explores the components of sustainability as it relates to the WASH sector and creates a framework for minimum standards that should be met in order for a WASH project to be considered successful. These standards are adapted based on the World Health Organization (WHO), a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that evaluates WASH projects called WASHCost, as well as the standards proposed by Carter et al (1999). Furthermore, it is argued that if implementing organizations are expected to monitor, evaluate and report on the environmental, social, economic as well as technical components of their implemented project, it will create a level of transparency that promotes organizational accountability that will inherently cause a shift towards more effective WASH projects.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
CFH0004632, ucf:45258
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004632
BUSINESS CASE STUDIES IN SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES
Title
BUSINESS CASE STUDIES IN SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES.
Creator
Lynch, Sheri L, Combs, James G., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Protecting the environment for future generations is crucial. Although businesses are under strong pressure to support sustainability, many leaders find it challenging to meet the environmental needs of the present without negatively impacting their economic goals. This paper describes some methods that businesses have adopted to effectively manage environmental issues and offer an opportunity for competitive advantage. In particular, three case studies show ways that the companies have...
Show moreProtecting the environment for future generations is crucial. Although businesses are under strong pressure to support sustainability, many leaders find it challenging to meet the environmental needs of the present without negatively impacting their economic goals. This paper describes some methods that businesses have adopted to effectively manage environmental issues and offer an opportunity for competitive advantage. In particular, three case studies show ways that the companies have embraced and integrated sustainability into their strategic planning process, which helped them achieve growth and success in the context of social and environmental concerns. The paper shows how these businesses have chosen to embrace sustainability to minimize the negative impact in our environment, society, and economy. The case studies can help managers define and prioritize their sustainability goals, achieve social and economic value, and transform these environmental investments into sources of competitive advantage. This paper can be beneficial to other businesses who desire to move beyond compliance of the law and become proactive in helping our environment for future generations.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFH2000100, ucf:45523
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000100
GREEN BUILDING: PUBLIC OPINION, SEMANTICS, AND HEURISTIC PROCESSING
Title
GREEN BUILDING: PUBLIC OPINION, SEMANTICS, AND HEURISTIC PROCESSING.
Creator
Webb, Christina, Schraufnagel, Scot, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Research on public support for green building has, to date, been incomplete. Understanding the demographics of individuals that support green building has remained secondary to merely determining real opinions on the topic. The identity of supporters and the motivation behind their support is the focus of this research. Specifically, is support for green building dependent on the way in which the issue is framed? This research aims to focus on those that are spreading the message about green...
Show moreResearch on public support for green building has, to date, been incomplete. Understanding the demographics of individuals that support green building has remained secondary to merely determining real opinions on the topic. The identity of supporters and the motivation behind their support is the focus of this research. Specifically, is support for green building dependent on the way in which the issue is framed? This research aims to focus on those that are spreading the message about green building, industry experts, and the mass public. By exposing how green building experts talk about the issue, we may begin to understand why public support for green building has yet to reach the kind of mainstream acceptance other planning and design techniques have,such as New Urbanism. I predict that green building experts perceived low levels of public awareness, with the exception of those within the Northwest region, which I believ will perceive higher levels of awareness. In addition, I assume that industry experts will be most focused on energy efficiency as a primary concept of green building. As for the public, I hypothesize that those aware of green building and individuals age 50 and older will be more likely to support green building. With the introduction of source cues, I expect that support for green building will decrease when respondents received either an environmentalism cue or a government program cue. Using survey instruments, I was able to determine that all green building experts perceive public awareness as low and do, in fact, focus their efforts on energy efficiency. With regards to the public, support was highest among those that are aware, as well as those age 50 and older. In addition, insertion of source cues decreased support for green building, with the government program source cue providing the lowest levels of support for green building.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000600, ucf:46525
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000600
Viability of a Residential Integrated Stormwater, Graywater, and Wastewater Treatment System
Title
Viability of a Residential Integrated Stormwater, Graywater, and Wastewater Treatment System.
Creator
Goolsby, Matthew, Chopra, Manoj, Wanielista, Martin, Randall, Andrew, Chang, Ni-bin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The subject of water scarcity and the rate of water consumption have become popular over the last few decades. Within the topic of water consumption, there are two separate issues from a residential standpoint. The first concern is the steadily increasing need for viable alternative water sources to be utilized for non-potable applications in an effort to reduce potable water demands. The second concern is the need to significantly reduce of nutrient-laden wastewater effluent discharge from...
Show moreThe subject of water scarcity and the rate of water consumption have become popular over the last few decades. Within the topic of water consumption, there are two separate issues from a residential standpoint. The first concern is the steadily increasing need for viable alternative water sources to be utilized for non-potable applications in an effort to reduce potable water demands. The second concern is the need to significantly reduce of nutrient-laden wastewater effluent discharge from septic systems in order to sustain groundwater quality and prevent adverse ecological impacts. This study addresses both issues with two separate systems integrated into one environmentally functional home that emphasizes low impact development (LID) practices. The first objective of the study is to quantify the performance of the passive treatment Bold (&) GoldTM reactive filter bed (FDOH classified (")innovative system(")) for nutrient removal. The second objective is to monitor the water quality of the combined graywater/stormwater cistern for non-potable use and asses all components (green roof, gutters, graywater treatment, AC condensate, well water, stormwater contribution). The performance of the passive innovative system is compared to past studies and regulatory standards. Also, a bench scale model of the OSTDS is constructed at the University of Central Florida (UCF) Stormwater Management Academy Research and Testing Lab (SMART Lab) and tested to provide effluent data at two different residence times. Complex physical, biological, and chemical theories are applied to the analysis of wastewater treatment performance. The data from the OSTDS and stormwater/graywater cistern both systems are also assessed using statistical analysis. The results of the OSTDS are compared to FDOH regulatory requirements for (")Secondary Treatment Standards("), and (")Advanced Secondary Treatment Standards(") with positive results. The bench scale results verify that both biological nutrient removal and physiochemical sorption are occurring within the filter media and quantified the relationship between removal rates and hydraulic residence time (HRT).The combined graywater/stormwater cistern contains acceptable water quality and operates efficiently. The demand on the cistern results in about 50% capacity utilization of the cistern and there is a consistent dependency on the artesian well. The salinity content and high sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of the cistern water did not produce any noticeable adverse impacts on the home other than scale formation in the toilet. The results of the research determined that the implementation of the integrated system is a viable option at the residential level.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0004114, ucf:49094
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004114