The nonpoint source impacts of peri-urban settlements in South Africa: implications for their management

Abstract

South Africa is currently experiencing rapid urbanization, much of which is in under-serviced and informal settlements. This has resulted in significant nonpoint source related water quality problems in these settlements. Although contamination of water resources is a physical process, which is related to the settlement character and service levels, the institutional and socio-economic conditions in the settlements largely govern its manageability. Understanding the settlement characteristics that exacerbate or mitigate water quality problems is therefore necessary for the identification and selection of appropriate management solutions. This paper outlines the key physical, institutional and socio-economic factors that contribute to water quality impacts from peri-urban settlements, and explores the implications of these characteristics for management of the nonpoint source impacts.