An investigation of the rainfall-related and human-induced risk drivers that contributed to acute urban water scarcity a case study of the urban water scarcity in the George Municipality from 2009-2010

In 2009, severe water scarcity in the Eden District resulted in seven municipalities being declared "drought zones". This was largely attributed to the lowest rainfall recorded in 132 years and widely recognised as a climate changed problem (SABC News, 2009). The Eden District administrative centre, the municipality of George, was also identified as significantly drought affected with water storage declining in the Garden Route Dam to 26.8% of Full Capacity Storage (Department of Water Affairs, 2010). The declaration of the drought emergency in South Africa's Eden District in 2009 illustrates the increasing episodes of urban water scarcity in rapidly growing urban centres in Africa that are also exposed to climate variability. Specifically this study sought to investigate the atmospheric and human-induced risk drivers that contributed to the acute urban water scarcity in the George Municipality from 2009-2010.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Environmental and Geographical Science

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Barrett, Laura Marie

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Holloway, Ailsa

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11972

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11972