Effects of Climate Change on Water Resources in a Rural Community in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Climate change is primarily a water crisis. These climatic changes are most likely to impact negatively on water availability in South Africa, particularly as a developing state with water related challenges already. Nature remain unsympathetic with only 9% of rainfall feeding rivers as run-off while only 4% recharges groundwater storage, while on the other unsustainable use of water country wide remains a high risk.

Impacts of Climate Change on Community Water Resources

The main reasons for distracted water supply were increased temperatures coupled with less rainfall and drought. Community members were aware that the river and borehole water gets recharge by rainfall and that hotter temperature lead to excessive water evaporation in the river. Specific impacts of climate change on each water resources were the following:

Reticulation system – More than half of the participants, 76% understood that lack of rainfall with persistent drought negatively affect water availability. As a result, the river stream flow is low and therefore less water is supplied from the river to the reservoir. The reservoir capacity has decreased as it is never full, even though the water is pumped daily.

Sometimes the municipality closes the water supply to the community to allow the reservoir to get full, so more water can be supplied to the community. Another reason for inconsistent water supply is that Maheni community shares the reticulation system with several other communities within Thengwe Local Authority.

A large percentage of households within the municipality have no access to secured sources of water suitable for human consumption, because many people have to travel a distance of about 500 m to fetch water from a public source.

Borehole – Three water committee members responded that the community does not have enough water for household consumption. They assured that they do not have consistent supply of fresh water for cooking, bathing, washing, and general basic hygiene. The 85% of community members corroborated that inconsistent supply of water from the main borehole is attributable to the following:

The community member experience water shortage because of drought, which led to the lowering of groundwater level. The borehole yield is very low. It takes more than 8 hours to fill up a 10 000L tank. Sometimes the pump-operator does not open water for the community for a day to allow the water to fill up the tank. A full tank supplies the community for a full day. Support that groundwater depletion and drought are major difficulties for the rural people to get safe drinking water from groundwater sources.

Water Resource Access and Availability

South Africa has access to surface water 77% of total use, groundwater 9% of total use, and recycled water 14% of total use. The population's dependence on water is not evenly distributed. Due to a lack of water infrastructure in rural settlements, 74% of all rural people are entirely dependent upon groundwater (i.e. local wells and pumps).

South Africa needs to reduce water demand and increase supply for a growing population and economy to ensure water security by 2030. This is envisaged through the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, which details the requirements for appropriate investment in water resources and services and sets targets for adequate water conservation and demand management.

Community-Based Adaptive Strategies

Restrictions on water use, inconsistent reticulation water supply and low borehole output motivated the community to appoint a water committee to monitor the water resources use. The committee, through involvement of Maheni community, laid down restrictions on water uses during increasing water stress periods.

The community agreed, and the members complied with the restrictions and regulations to endure sustainable water supply. During this time, available water is prioritised for domestic and sanitary use. These include restrictions on:

Washing at the main borehole and standpipes; Watering of vegetables in the home-gardens; Livestock drinking from standpipes; Leakages and breakages repaired immediately; and Fines about $12 instituted for misuse of water resources, such as leaving the tap opened, and washing at the standpipes.

Policy Recommendation and Way Forward

Climate policymakers must put water at the heart of action plans. Politicians must cooperate across national borders to balance the water needs of communities, industry, agriculture, and ecosystems. Innovative financing for water resource management will be needed to help attract investment and support governments in fulfilling their water and climate goals.

In South Africa, the Department of Water and Sanitation is the custodian of water resources, with the primary responsibility for the formulation and implementation of policy governing the sector? The Department ensures that all South Africans gain access to clean water and dignified sanitation.

It also promotes effective and efficient water resources management to ensure sustainable economic and social development. The National Government manages water resources through the 15 Water Boards. The three Largest Water Boards are Rand Water in Gauteng Province, Umgeni Water in Kwazulu-Natal Province and Overberg Water in the Western Cape.

Municipalities are responsible for the delivery of water and sanitation services to communities and must develop plans for delivery. These plans take into account effective delivery of services to informal communities, as stipulated in the National Water Act of 1998 and related regulations that ensure that every citizen is entitled to receive a minimum of 25 litres of water per day within a 200-meter walking distance.

Conclusion

Over the years, water managers and planners have been contending with climate variability and its impact on water resources and supply. For South Africa, a water scare country with highly variable climate under natural conditions, climate change is likely to exacerbate an already vulnerable system that needs to be enhanced adaptive capacity and access to the means of adaptation.

To address challenges, the Department developed tools such as the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan to guide and inform appropriate response and to ensure water security and safe sanitation for the country.