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

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

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

Water Quality and Health Quantity Proximity Knowledge & Education Quality PMG Note: Healthy person photograph not include, please Water:

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

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

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)

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

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

Strategic planning for future research Strategic Framework for water-Related Human Health Research Nozi Mjoli & Fanus Venter PMG note: graphics not included, please

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

Overview of a Typical Water Purification Plant PMG note: Overview of a Typical Water Purification Plant picture not included. for this]

Cartoon operator’s manual PMG note: photograph not included, please

… and technologies developed for rural community water supply:

Fog collection system PMG note:Fog collection system picture not included. for this

Membrane treatment PMG note: graphics not included, please

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

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:

Percentage of rural plants complying with SA potable water standards for turbidity Turbidity = Clarity of the water ProvinceClass 1Class 2Fail Cl. 2 Limpopo (36 plants) Mpumalanga (19) North West (18) Free State (13) Kwa-Zulu Natal (28) Eastern Cape (54) Western Cape (13) (Total: 181) SANS 241, 2005: Compliance- Class 1: <1 NTU, Class 2: 1-5 NTU

Percentage of water treatment plants complying with DWAF standards for bacteria ProvinceTotal coliformsFaecal coliforms Limpopo (36 plants) Mpumalanga (19) North West (18) Free State (13) Kwazulu Natal (28) Eastern Cape (54) Western Cape (13) DWAF(1996) Compliance: Total coliforms = 0-10 cfu/100ml; Faecal coliforms= 0 cfu/100ml

Why is this?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our first defence to ensure safe drinking water = THE OPERATOR

Operator qualification & experience Province Operator qualificationYears Experience Std 8 (%) Matric (%) Post Matric (%) < 5 (%) 5-10 (%) 11+ (%) Limpopo Mpumalanga N-West Free State KZ-Natal E-Cape W-Cape

Operator qualification & experience W-Cape E-Cape KZ-Natal Free State N-West Mpumalanga Limpopo No (%) Yes (%) R5000+ (%) R3000- R4000 (%) R1000- R2000 (%) TrainingMonthly Salary Province

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

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

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

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

Thank you for your attention!