Abstract:
Water is a fundamental human right, and its provision is essential for the maintenance of
the general quality of life. The South African government has a constitutional obligation to provide
clean potable water to all citizens. This study explores the practice of cooperative government among
the three spheres of government in the provision of water services to communities in South Africa. It
also seeks to analyse the application of the principle of cooperative government as an effective tool
for ensuring water service delivery in local government. Thus, to achieve these objectives, the study
addresses two research questions: first, what are the complexities associated with intergovernmental
relations in the efforts to provide water services to communities? And secondly, how could cooperative government be utilised as a mechanism for water service delivery in local government? This
article begins by examining the literature on intergovernmental relations and cooperative government
to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic. A qualitative research method is applied,
where interviews were conducted to determine the impact of cooperative governance on water
governance. This study sheds light on the complexities associated with intergovernmental relations
in the provision of water services to communities. The findings of this study recognise the need for
municipalities to continuously monitor and improve their water service delivery strategies and water
service delivery plans, to align with the conditions of the municipality and needs of the people. This
is significant as it provides useful insights to policy makers, water service providers, and researchers
in the field of intergovernmental relations and water service provision on how to address challenges
associated with water service delivery within the intergovernmental relations context.
