Reinforcing water and sanitation sector reform in South Africa

Water Policy ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ola Busari ◽  
Barry Jackson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Sector Reform ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Remarkable Progress ◽  
Water Supply And Sanitation

Some ten years ago, South Africa's newly elected government inherited huge services backlogs with respect to access to water supply and sanitation. About 15 million people were without safe water supply and over 20 million without adequate sanitation services. Since then, the country has made remarkable progress with regard to accelerating the pace of services provision and restructuring and refocusing the entire water sector. Having ensured access to an additional population of over 10 million people, South Africa is well on track to wipe out the infrastructure backlog for basic water supply by 2008, exceeding the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target. But first, with respect to sanitation for which the national target is universal access to a functioning facility by 2010, the picture is somewhat different. Second, substantial challenges remain in addressing historical inequalities in access to both water supply and sanitation, and in sustaining service provision over the long term.

Securing 2020 vision for 2030: climate change and ensuring resilience in water and sanitation services

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Howard ◽  
Katrina Charles ◽  
Kathy Pond ◽  
Anca Brookshaw ◽  
Rifat Hossain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Sanitation Systems ◽  
Water Supply And Sanitation

Drinking-water supply and sanitation services are essential for human health, but their technologies and management systems are potentially vulnerable to climate change. An assessment was made of the resilience of water supply and sanitation systems against forecast climate changes by 2020 and 2030. The results showed very few technologies are resilient to climate change and the sustainability of the current progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) may be significantly undermined. Management approaches are more important than technology in building resilience for water supply, but the reverse is true for sanitation. Whilst climate change represents a significant threat to sustainable drinking-water and sanitation services, through no-regrets actions and using opportunities to increase service quality, climate change may be a driver for improvements that have been insufficiently delivered to date.

Improving access to water supply and sanitation in urban India: microfinance for water and sanitation infrastructure development

2008 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 887-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Davis ◽  
Gary White ◽  
Said Damodaron ◽  
Rich Thorsten
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
Water And Sanitation Infrastructure ◽  
Sanitation Infrastructure ◽  
The City ◽  
Water Supply And Sanitation

This article summarises initial findings of a study to explore the potential of providing micro-financing for low-income households wishing to invest in improved water supply and sanitation services. Through in-depth interviews with more than 800 households in the city of Hyderabad in India, we conclude that, even if provided with market (not concessional) rates of financing, a substantial proportion of poor households would invest in water and sewer network connections.

Policy principles and implementation guidelines for private sector participation in the water sector — a step towards better results

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Rothenberger ◽  
U. Frei ◽  
F. Brugger
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Sustainable Water Supply ◽  
Private Sector Participation ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Implementation Guidelines ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Water Supply And Sanitation

To achieve the Millennium Development Goals, all partners (public, private, NGOs) must be engaged for improving and expanding the water supply and sanitation services. Yet, high transaction costs, unclear role allocation and lack of trust and commitment put Private Sector Participation (PSP) at risk. The initiative “Policy Principles and Implementation Guidelines for Private Sector Participation in Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation” contributes to equitable, effective, ecological and efficient PSP projects. Based on a multi stakeholder process, the Policy Principles are offering an open and transparent framework for the negotiation of valid, widely accepted and action-oriented solutions, while the Implementation Guidelines focus on success factors for building partnerships on the operational level.

Water and sanitation policies for improving health in South Africa: overcoming the institutional legacy of apartheid

Water Policy ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 627-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edina Sinanovic ◽  
Sandi Mbatsha ◽  
Stephen Gundry ◽  
Jim Wright ◽  
Clas Rehnberg
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
The South ◽  
Financing System ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
New Policies

The burden of water-related disease is closely related to both the socio-economic situation and public health issues like access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services. Poverty eradication, through improved access to water and sanitation, is the South African government's major priority. This is partly achieved through subsidising the cost of water and sanitation provision to the poor in rural areas. Whilst the new policies have made a remarkable impact on improved access to water and sanitation services, a general problem since the new approach in 1994 has been the lack of integration of policies for water and sanitation and health. This paper analyses the policies concerning rural water supply and sanitation in South Africa. It considers the structure of institutions, the division of responsibilities and legislated and financial capacity of the South Africa's water sector. A more integrated approach for the policies aiming at water access, sanitation and health is needed. In addition, as the local government's capacity to implement different programmes is limited, a review of the financing system is necessary.

Is the water permit system a panacea or a bed of inefficiency? The case of South Africa

Water Policy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devi Datt Tewari ◽  
Saidou Baba Oumar
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Markets ◽  
Water Management System ◽  
Administrative Costs ◽  
System A ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
License System ◽  
Institutional Efficiency

Although South Africa has adopted a very modern permit/license system to control access to water as a resource, the attainment of the lofty objectives (efficiency, equity and sustainability) of the National Water Act of 1998 depends on two critical factors: (1) the institutional efficiency of the water management system; and (2) the development of water markets and their efficient functioning. This study lists a number of concerns that the Act is not geared to resolve efficiently or in a timely manner. These concerns include the high administrative costs of implementation, poor incentives for long-term investments, bureaucratic inefficiency, practical problems in water pricing and adaptability to climate change threat. There is a need to re-think the ways and means with which to make water distribution more efficient in the country. One possible solution would be to develop water markets in the country.

scholarly journals Global cost-benefit analysis of water supply and sanitation interventions

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Hutton ◽  
Laurence Haller ◽  
Jamie Bartram
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Global Analysis ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Global Cost ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
Time Savings ◽  
Water Supply And Sanitation

The aim of this study was to estimate the economic benefits and costs of a range of interventions to improve access to water supply and sanitation facilities in the developing world. Results are presented for eleven developing country WHO sub-regions as well as at the global level, in United States Dollars (US$) for the year 2000. Five different types of water supply and sanitation improvement were modelled: achieving the water millennium development goal of reducing by half in 2015 those without improved water supply in the year 1990; achieving the combined water supply and sanitation MDG; universal basic access to water supply and sanitation; universal basic access plus water purification at the point-of-use; and regulated piped water supply and sewer connection. Predicted reductions in the incidence of diarrhoeal disease were calculated based on the expected population receiving these interventions. The costs of the interventions included estimations of the full investment and annual running costs. The benefits of the interventions included time savings due to easier access, gain in productive time and reduced health care costs saved due to less illness, and prevented deaths. The results show that all water and sanitation improvements are cost-beneficial in all developing world sub-regions. In developing regions, the return on a US$1 investment was in the range US$5 to US$46, depending on the intervention. For the least developed regions, investing every US$1 to meet the combined water supply and sanitation MDG lead to a return of at least US$5 (AFR-D, AFR-E, SEAR-D) or US$12 (AMR-B; EMR-B; WPR-B). The main contributor to economic benefits was time savings associated with better access to water and sanitation services, contributing at least 80% to overall economic benefits. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that even under pessimistic data assumptions the potential economic benefits outweighed the costs in all developing world regions. Further country case-studies are recommended as a follow up to this global analysis.

scholarly journals Local solutions in Non-Revenue Water management through North–South Water Operator Partnerships: the case of Nakuru

Water Policy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (S2) ◽  
pp. 137-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Ndirangu ◽  
James Ng'ang'a ◽  
Anthony Chege ◽  
Reint-Jan de Blois ◽  
Adriaan Mels
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Sector Reform ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
Water Association ◽  
Development Support ◽  
Non Revenue Water

Improving access to water (and sanitation) services in Kenya (estimated at 59 and 32%, respectively), is one of the country's commitments. However, although efforts to address the situation through a rigorous water sector reform have shown some improvements, challenges still persist. One key challenge is inadequate capacity of sector institutions to deliver on their mandates. In particular, high Non-Revenue Water (NRW) levels (averaging 45%) negatively affect financial viability of water utilities. Key stakeholders are currently collaborating to improve NRW levels. Through capacity development support, underlying issues have been addressed and service delivery improved. The case of Nakuru Water, Sewerage and Sanitation Company (NAWASSCO), where local and international partners are implementing an innovative NRW model has resulted in commendable gains, is described. The NRW pilot adopted an action research approach to implement the International Water Association methodology of reducing NRW to the local situation through a pilot (NAKA). Emerging best practices will be up-scaled to other areas within and beyond Nakuru. Geographic information system (GIS) and management information system (MIS) tools were developed to facilitate decision-making. The pilot resulted in marked reduction in NRW levels and increased revenue. It demonstrates that capacity, when properly developed and locally owned, can result in commendable development gains.

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