Exploring the Components of a Community-Driven - Potable Water Supply System in a Drought - Prone Area of Musina Local Municipality

Abstract

Community-driven potable water supply systems are a common source of water supply in drought-prone and water-scarce rural villages. Yet, there remains a significant gap in our understanding about their design and the challenges faced by communities when developing or using these water supply systems. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the components of a community-driven potable water supply system in a drought-prone area of Musina Local Municipality. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 76 respondents who participated in this study. Twenty-six participants participated in the qualitative phase while 50 participated in the quantitative phase. Qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were collected through closed-ended questions. Literature was used to identify key components of water supply systems. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected simultaneously but analysed independently. Descriptive statistics for the quantitative data were computed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data using ATLAS.ti version 8.4. Out of the identified key components of water supply systems, only water source (communal borehole), distribution mechanism (hand pump), and households were available in the study area. The majority of households (64%) travelled more than 200 m to collect water from the source. Eighty percent of them were dissatisfied with the quality of borehole water. Moreover, the respondents were reluctant to boil water before use due to lack of knowledge. Thus, the consumption of untreated water was a major challenge. Other challenges included poor maintenance of the borehole and financial constraints. Identified strategies that could be used to enhance the development of community-driven water supply systems included increased stakeholder involvement in decision-making processes, capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced maintenance protocols. These results can be used to improve the planning and governance of a community-driven water supply system. Addressing the issue of lack of treatment facilities in rural areas can improve the health of rural communities while capacity-building initiatives can enhance rural livelihoods and uplift their human capital. Lastly, the involvement of relevant stakeholders may promote sustainable development goal number six, which speaks about community participation in Water Sanitation and Hygiene services.