Case Study Findings Water Dialogues – South Africa Presentation for Local Dialogue 6 March 2009 Water Services in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality

Background on Case Study Research Conducted in 2007, 2008 Research Conducted in 2007, 2008 Communities: Belfast, Dingleydale, Mkhuhlu, Welverdiend Communities: Belfast, Dingleydale, Mkhuhlu, Welverdiend Water Service Authority/Provider Interviews Water Service Authority/Provider Interviews

Case Study Findings Bushbuckridge LM is currently struggling to perform all of the necessary functions, though water and sanitation services do remain a top priority of officials.

Case Study Findings There remain massive backlogs, though they are not spread evenly across the DM: urban areas and larger towns receive higher levels of service than rural communities.

Case Study Findings Continual institutional change and changes in the allocation of functions has had negative effects on services delivery.

Effects of Transitions Loss of Institutional Knowledge Loss of Institutional Knowledge Lowered Staff Productivity Lowered Staff Productivity Strained Intra-organizational Relationships Strained Intra-organizational Relationships

Effects of Transitions: 2008 Follow Up Research Key water services staff had been hired Key water services staff had been hired Reporting relationships improved Reporting relationships improved Contracts developed and signed for staff Contracts developed and signed for staff Task team set up to improve relationships among Water Board and BBR LM Task team set up to improve relationships among Water Board and BBR LM Plans for emergency water services were in progress Plans for emergency water services were in progress

Case Study Findings The municipality reports that it struggles to secure adequate funding and staff capacity to eradicate backlogs in water and sanitation. Any financial analysis of water and sanitation services provision is complicated by a lack of reliable data and the fact that three organizations are involved in the effort.

Case Study Findings Many residents do not pay for water, but service levels remain low and the effects of the Free Basic Water (FBW) policy remain unclear.

Case Study Findings Lack of RDP-standard access to water and sanitation services is creating health issues across all of the communities researched.

Case Study Findings In addition to illness, lack of access to clean water causes other difficulties for communities.

Case Study Findings Despite reported scarcities of water, natural water resources in the area are reportedly sufficient, and bulk water operations and infrastructure is currently providing a consistent supply.

Case Study Findings The poor condition of infrastructure overall is causing operations, maintenance and repair issues which resulted in reduced access for residents even within the areas served by municipal infrastructure. It furthermore caused high water losses, which are expensive for the LM.

Case Study Findings Communication with users is an area in which the LM could greatly improve.

Case Study Findings The sustainability of the current water and sanitation system is of some concern. However, the amount of progress made by the time the research team returned in 2008 was promising.

Progress Made Since 2007 Senior managers hired Senior managers hired LM management is in the process of finalising structures, systems and an enabling environment to perform its functions and integrate other responsibilities with its current WSP functions into a single municipal structure and system. LM management is in the process of finalising structures, systems and an enabling environment to perform its functions and integrate other responsibilities with its current WSP functions into a single municipal structure and system.

Progress Made Since 2007 Contracts have been signed and reporting roles clarified – according to management Contracts have been signed and reporting roles clarified – according to management An organogram has been created which clarifies staff reporting mechanisms have been clarified, An organogram has been created which clarifies staff reporting mechanisms have been clarified, DWAF Mpumalanga has taken a supportive role in building capacity DWAF Mpumalanga has taken a supportive role in building capacity

Progress Made Since 2007 Attempts to repair and improve the relationship between BLM and BWB Attempts to repair and improve the relationship between BLM and BWB A temporary agreement of an amount that Bushbuckridge LM will pay to Bushbuckridge Water Board for its services A temporary agreement of an amount that Bushbuckridge LM will pay to Bushbuckridge Water Board for its services A service-level agreement between Bushbuckridge LM and Bushbuckridge Water Board is in progress, facilitated by DWAF Mpumalanga A service-level agreement between Bushbuckridge LM and Bushbuckridge Water Board is in progress, facilitated by DWAF Mpumalanga

Progress Made Since 2007 A temporary/emergency plan for water to be provided without to areas without adequate access. The provision of water tankers to these areas was meant to be approved soon after the completion of a tender process (by the end of June). A temporary/emergency plan for water to be provided without to areas without adequate access. The provision of water tankers to these areas was meant to be approved soon after the completion of a tender process (by the end of June).

Case Study Findings Two initiatives have begun to support the LM in the building of institutional capacity so it is able to fulfil its WSA and WSP functions. Two initiatives have begun to support the LM in the building of institutional capacity so it is able to fulfil its WSA and WSP functions. Siyenza Manje is one initiative which is funded through the Development Bank of Southern Africa and places retired people with technical skills in the municipality for support. Siyenza Manje is one initiative which is funded through the Development Bank of Southern Africa and places retired people with technical skills in the municipality for support. Masibambane is a DWAF-led programme that provides funding to the municipality to contract outside workers with the skills and expertise required for technical and other support functions. Masibambane is a DWAF-led programme that provides funding to the municipality to contract outside workers with the skills and expertise required for technical and other support functions.

Conclusions Correct causes of problems with water services should be identified Correct causes of problems with water services should be identified Changes in institutional arrangements do not necessarily solve problems Changes in institutional arrangements do not necessarily solve problems How transitions are handled can greatly improve chances of success How transitions are handled can greatly improve chances of success Each municipality has its own challenges and assets, one arrangement that works in one area may not work in another area Each municipality has its own challenges and assets, one arrangement that works in one area may not work in another area Political or other tensions should be separated as much as possible from water service delivery Political or other tensions should be separated as much as possible from water service delivery

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