Barriers to Water and Sanitation Safety Plans in Rural Areas of South Africa—A Case Study in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The implementation of water and sanitation safety plans (WSSP) has the potential of greatly improving the challenge of resource-limited drinking-water supplies. However, the most effective tool to make WSSP successful is understanding of the factors that contribute to hindering the implementation of these plans, specifically in rural communities. This study therefore aimed at assessing the status of basic services and determining the factors that contribute to hampering the process of WSSP in rural communities. A survey was conducted between March 2020 and March 2021 in rural communities of the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The overall results indicate that poverty, unemployment, lack of access to purified water, and inadequate sanitation facilities have resulted in waterborne diseases reported within the communities and have a major impact in hindering WSSP. Other barriers observed are inequality regarding financial power, absent and degrading water and sanitation infrastructures, and lack of protection and maintenance of natural water sources. Therefore, there is a need for community members to be educated on proper behavior and perceptions towards sanitation, including working hand-in-hand with different stakeholders, men and women from communities, and different cultures and religions to overcome these barriers, so that human disease associated with water supply, wastewater reuse, and sanitation in rural communities can be alleviated.

Assessment of the water sources for potential channels of faecal contamination within Vhembe District Municipality using sanitary inspections and hydrogen sulphide test

“…In the present study, it was noted that every village in the VDM has a water scheme designated to it that supplies households with treated potable water; however, the water supply is not reliable. This was confirmed by Murei et al 26 who pointed out that most of the water pipes in VDM may be dry for weeks, months and even years. Therefore, residents end up depending on untreated or contaminated surface water and groundwater.…”

“…These results indicate that rural community members should be made aware of the affordable tools that are available to ensure the safety of their drinking water and should receive training in the use of these tools. Inconsistency in microbial water quality testing in VDM was reported with the worst-case scenario of testing once a year 26 . Hence, these tools can be used in local water treatment plants for regular and consistent monitoring of water quality; however, they should not be used as replacement tests for the other laboratory-based water quality tests.…”

“…Water samples, demographic information (education, employment and diarrhoeal disease) and sanitation data (alternative water sources, purpose of water, water treatment method, and sanitation facility data) were collected between March 2020 and March 2021. Data from this preliminary inspection have been published in 2022 by Murei et al 26 For the purpose of the present study, these data were used to assess the sanitary risk. It was noted in this preliminary study that community members of the Vhembe District Municipality reportedly lack the necessary information and the understanding of the external risk linked to water resources and sanitation.…”

“…5. 26 For the purpose of the present study, these data were used to assess the sanitary risk. It was noted in this preliminary study that community members of the Vhembe District Municipality reportedly lack the necessary information and the understanding of the external risk linked to water resources and sanitation.…”

“…In order to reduce the disease burden, this study also serves as a foundation for future extensive research on water, sanitation, and hygiene in this region. 1 already published by Murei et al 26 were considered to highlight the level of education, the employment rate and the predominant waterborne diseases in the study areas. Briefly, most of the participants attained either primary, secondary, or tertiary level education and very few did not go to school at all.…”