Factors influencing equitable access to improved water supply in uMlalazi Local Municipality
The fact that water is necessary for life is undeniable. One of the most difficult challenges for many local governments is providing basic services to all South Africans. The global community has made positive advances in many fields, but the basic needs of man, such as clean water, remain a mirage. For healthy survival, growth, and development, safe drinking water and good hygiene are essential. Various factors affect the equal and equitable access of households to improved water. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is responsible for ensuring that all South African citizens have access to basic water supply and that water and sanitation services are delivered rapidly. The Department of Water and Sanitation is responsible for managing water supply schemes for major rural areas and villages with the assistance of district municipalities. The DWS as the National Regulator is responsible for the governance of water resources of the country and ensuring accountability amongst other key players such as water service authorities (WSAs) and water service providers (WSPs). The study examined community respondents’ perceptions about the nature of water supply services they receive and water resources available in the area. In conducting the study, a descriptive design was used. One sub-location was randomly selected from each of the two wards with a sample of 274 respondents composed of 193 females and 81 males. Data was collected using questionnaires. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and presented using charts and frequency tables. Hypothesis was tested based on the significance level. This was against an alternative hypothesis which assumed that there is a significant relationship between the economic scale and distribution of water services in the uMlalazi Local Municipality. The findings showed that the chi-square values for the variables were; size of economy (chi-square = 30.445a, df = 2, p-value = 0.00 and n= 274); access to pipe water within dwelling (chi-square = 109.540a, df = 2, p-value = 0.00 and n = 274); dependence on surface water (chi-square = 212.723a, df = 1, p-value = 0.00 and n = 274), water quality (chi-square = 115.635b, df = 2, p-value = 0.00 and n = 274), decreased water supply (chi-square = 12.314a, df=2, p-value = .002 and n = 274) and commitment to eradicate backlogs (chi-square = 30.445a, df= 2, p-value = 0.00 and n = 274). As a result, the study indicates that equitable water availability has an impact on health, human development, and economic growth. The findings indicated that a iv lack of water might constitute a severe threat to public health and community development, since widespread consumption of dirty surface water could expose the population to disease (bacteria) infections transmitted through water. Findings also discovered that household’s access to improved water supply was largely determined by their income, and home location, on the other hand, were important variables in gaining access to better water for other domestic purposes whilst access to water is better for other household uses. The effect is anticipated to increase among low income rural households, expand the rural-urban development divide, and intensify public dissent and conflict among rural water end-users. Furthermore, the data demonstrated that water plays an important role in rural socioeconomic development. As a result, water resource management that is sustainable may be able to solve challenges like equitable improved water access. The study findings further showed that the community at large were dissatisfied with water provision. Government direct involvement in participation, cooperation, coordination and developing a culture of empowerment should bring better water services for the local community of uMlalazi. The study recommends that one of the main pipelines from the plant to uMlalazi should be installed and awareness campaign for effective and efficient use of water should be launched. This might help ease and improve the present precarious situation.
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