The Limpopo Non-Metropolitan Drinking Water Supplier Response to a Diagnostic Tool for Technical Compliance

Avhashoni D. Nefale, Ilunga Kamika, Chikwelu L. Obi and Maggy NB Momba
Additional contact information
Avhashoni D. Nefale: Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Water Care Unit, TUT, Private Bag X680, 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Arcadia Campus, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Ilunga Kamika: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, UNISA Florida Campus, Christiaan de Wet/Pioneer Dr. P.O. Box X6, Florida 1710, South Africa
Chikwelu L. Obi: University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
Maggy NB Momba: Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Water Care Unit, TUT, Private Bag X680, 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Arcadia Campus, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Water services providers should supply water that is fit for human consumption, taking into account multi-barrier approaches and technical aspects such as design aspects, operation monitoring, final water quality compliance monitoring, plant monitoring practices, maintenance, and risk management practices. Against this background, this study focused on applying the diagnostic tool for technical compliance as well as assessing the compliance of water treatment plants with management norms. Six plants in the Vhembe District Municipality were selected; the Vondo, Malamulele, Mutshedzi, and Mutale plants (conventional), and the Dzingahe and Tshedza package plants. During the first assessment, four (Malamulele, Mutshedzi, Mutale and Dzingahe) plants scored between 44% and 49% and achieved Class 3 certification, revealing serious challenges requiring immediate intervention. Two water plants (Vondo and Tshedza, scoring 53% and 63%, respectively) were in the Class 2 category, revealing serious challenges requiring attention and improvement. During the second assessment, all plants scored between 63% and 87% (Class 2 category). The greatest improvement (30%) was noted for the Dzingahe and Tshedza plants, followed by the Malamulele plant, while the Mutale, Vondo, and Mutshedzi plants improved their scores by 20%, 17% and 14%, respectively. After corrective actions and re-measurement, no plant complied. It is recommended that Water Services Providers (WSPs) regularly apply the diagnostic tools and water safety plans as developed in order to comply with applicable standards.

Keywords: drinking water; water quality; water management; Limpopo; South Africa; non-metropolitan city (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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