Water Quality in Rural South Africa: Problems & Possible Remedies

1. Water Quality in Rural South Africa: Problems & Possible Remedies • Gerhard Offring, Annatjie Moolman & Innocent Msibi • Presentation to • Parliamentary Portfolio Committee,20 June 2006

2. Structure of the presentation • Water Quality and Health • The Water Research Commission and its research on water quality • The current situation in the country • Possible remedies to alleviate the problem areas

3. Why is water quality important? • Drinking • Cooking • Bathing & laundry • Food production • Hygiene(sanitation) Poor quality=Sickness, morbidity & death

4. Water Quality and Health Water: PMG Note: Healthy person photograph not include, please email info@pmg.org.za Quality Quantity Proximity Knowledge & Education

5. Water Research Commission • Funds research on all aspects of water • Parastatal -funded mostly by means of a research levy on water use • Report to Parliament through Minister of Water Affairs • Governed by Board appointed by Minister • Research is outsourced

6. Our Mission The WRC is a dynamic hub for water-centred knowledge, innovation and intellectual capital. We provide leadership for research and development through the support of knowledge creation, transfer and application. We engage stakeholders and partners in solving water-related problems which are critical to South Africa’s sustainable development and economic growth, and are committed to promoting a better quality of life for all

7. Research on Water Quality • WRC funding 39 projects related to water quality in South Africa • R9 million/year spent on water quality related projects(=15% of total research budget)

8. The urban water quality of best in the world … but we have some problems with water quality in rural areas

9. The WRC produces • Research reports (information & technology development) • Guidelines & manuals • Knowledge transfer publications, pamphlets & magazines • Some products re. water quality…

10. Strategic planning for future research Strategic Framework for water-Related Human Health Research Nozi Mjoli & Fanus Venter PMG note: graphics not included, please email info@pmg.org.za

11. w a t e r r e s e a r c h c o m m i s s i o n

12. Overview of a Typical Water Purification Plant PMG note: Overview of a Typical Water Purification Plant picture not included. Email info@pmg.org.za for this]

13. Cartoon operator’s manual PMG note: photograph not included, please email info@pmg.org.za

14. … and technologies developed for rural community water supply:

15. Fog collection system • PMG note:Fog collection system picture not included. Email info@pmg.org.za for this

16. Membrane treatment PMG note: graphics not included, please email info@pmg.org.za

17. Bottom line: We have lots of supporting material and technology to treat water properly! but still we have problems…

18. A study being funded by the Water Research Commission and executed by a consortium of researchers under leadership of Fort Hare University, surveyed 181 rural water schemes:

21. Why is this?

22. Some problems experienced: • Little interest from councillors & management • Poor salaries &working conditions • Operators not skilled & chemical dosing not understood • Few structured training programmes • Little money to buy equipment & chemicals • C

23. Chlorine not dosed at times(shortage) • Analysis laboratories & skills inadequate

24. More problems experienced • Plants normally overloaded • No spare parts &long delivery times • No funds for maintenance • Suppliers in urban centres and not interested • Poor access roads & poor facilities at plant • Minimal cost recovery

25. More problems experienced • Minimal costs recovery • Plants over-sophisticated • No constant supply of electricity • Lack of community involvement (seen as a Government responsibility) • Etc...

26. They all boil down to : • Insufficient management skills & motivation • Insufficient operations staff skills & motivation • Insufficient funding for water treatment and supply

27. Remember that a water treatment plant is a food production unit!

28. Our first defence to ensure safe drinking water = THE OPERATOR

29. Operator qualification & experience

30. Operator qualification & experience Province Monthly Salary Training R1000-R2000 (%) R3000-R4000 (%) R5000+ (%) Yes (%) No (%) Limpopo 32 41 16 53 47 Mpumalanga 30 44 14 56 44 N-West 37 49 15 50 50 Free State 36 57 7 75 25 KZ-Natal 30 48 22 37 63 E-Cape 26 66 8 37 63 W-Cape 13 50 38 92 8

31. What should we do? Immediately • Organise expert teams in every province as is done in the Free State (to assist both Management & Staff)

32. Short to Medium term • Establish Management and Technical Assistance Centres in every province • Improve the training, salaries and working conditions of operations staff • Implement the excellent Drinking Water Quality Management System of the DWAF +support adequate training

33. Medium to long term • Ensure that an enforced % of Municipal funding goes for safe water provision • Twin plants with Universities • Support with research

34. … to summarise: Adequate Funding Adequate Equipment Empowered Municipality Clean, Safe Water Technical Assistance Skills improvement Empowered Operators

35. Thank you for your attention!