The Perceptions of Water Poverty Related Current Issues in South Africa

Charles Van Der Vyver

doi:10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n4p57

Charles Van Der Vyver

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n4p57

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Abstract

Global demand for water is on the increase, and this places increasing pressure on already scarce global supplies. This research aims to determine the perceptions regarding current and future water poverty related issues. All the members of staff of a faculty at one of the leading universities in South Africa formed the participants for this research. A quantitative study was conducted and questionnaires were distributed to the entire population. The research found that although a fair level of awareness does exist, people seem unaware of the impact they can have simply by changing their own water consumption habits. A lot can therefore still be done in an attempt to ensure future supply, both through continuing education, and by elevating water poverty and conservation on the national and international agenda. Future research should focus on evaluating current awareness campaigns and adapting them to ensure relevance and maximum impact. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n4p57

Highlights

In recent years it has been widely recognised that water was managed with little regard to the efficiency of its utilisation and with no or very little effective pollution control (Pallett, 1997)
Rand Water (2008) warns that if South Africans do not learn how to use their limited water supplies wisely, they will move into a water scarcity category – that is, less than 1 000 m3 per person per year – by 2025
The majority of respondents indicated a positive response toward short term supply, the medium term elicited a more negative response, whereas the long term elicited an overwhelming negative response, with no one indicating that they feel South Africa has enough water supplies for the long term

Summary

Introduction

In recent years it has been widely recognised that water was managed with little regard to the efficiency of its utilisation and with no or very little effective pollution control (Pallett, 1997). South Africa, being a water-stressed country with less than 1 700 m3 of water for each person per year (Rand Water, 2008), has limited fresh water resources and budgets for the supply of basic infrastructure services. Over 6 million people in South Africa are without access to even a basic level of water supply or have only a very limited level of access (Cullis, 2005). South Africa is a water-stressed country (Rand Water, 2008). Rand Water (2008) warns that if South Africans do not learn how to use their limited water supplies wisely, they will move into a water scarcity category – that is, less than 1 000 m3 per person per year – by 2025. Determining the perceptions of water end-users is extremely important, as awareness of the problem is one of the only ways in which more responsible water usage can be fostered

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