Abstract:
PURPOSE : The study discussed water supply challenges in rural South
Africa and evaluated community perceptions of the municipal
capacity. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : Municipal planning documents described the targeted study
area. Questionnaires by 98 randomly selected community
respondents profiled the respondents and evaluated several
aspects of water delivery in the community. FINDINGS : The results reveal several operational challenges. Water delivery
was sporadic and unreliable, the water quality was poor and the
breakdowns response time was unacceptable. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS : The causes of the water delivery problems were not investigated.
The study suggested solutions and was restricted to one
municipal area only. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : The local municipality should response should focus on quality
control, monitoring, training, funding and capacity building of
their service delivery function. More efficient communication
with the community is required. WHAT IS ORIGINAL/VALUE OF THE PAPER : Several water service delivery challenges were revealed and will
be of value to the municipality to mobilise, plan and structure a
proper response to challenges.
