A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, 2019 / Water is a key element linked to challenges such as food security, economic development, energy generation and climate change. South Africa experienced its driest year on record in 2015, together with one of the largest cities, Cape Town, almost running out of water in 2018. The likelihood of increased drought in the future coupled to climate risks makes it imperative to attend to water security concerns within the country. The business sector needs to pay more attention to water issues given its reliance on water for operation. This study explores how South African companies that are dependent on water respond to water security concerns linked to increased demand and variability. Focusing on the potential of the CDP Water reporting process to promote improved water stewardship practices. A mixed methods approach is used including a detailed investigation of CDP Water report data and interviews. Companies are unique in their responses, their perception of water risk hence determines their responses to the risk. Many companies showed misalignments between their company strategy, governance and practice in water decision making that further calls into question their water stewardship in addressing water security concerns. Although water stewardship is highlighted as an opportunity for various companies, engagement in practices that promote stewardship is low. In the pursuit of water stewardship practices and improved water management, context becomes key. By companies conducting comprehensive river basin assessments, it assists in addressing and engaging water risks in a local context. Beyond CDP reports and interviews, an underlying outcome has emerged that calls for effective sustainability/ environmental strategic planning in environmental departments within companies. Communication becomes an essential tool even though creating a business case around risk is not unique to water. An emphasis is then needed at Board level on effective leadership within a company to transform the way they view their water related risks and turn them into opportunities. To bring these findings together, archetypes were created based on company ‘water stewardship readiness.’ The archetypes encompassed the likelihood of companies engaging in water stewardship practices as this is seen as one of the best ways forward for business to assist in securing water in the country. The notion of a water champion to tackle water related risks and lead opportunities brings to light the value of education and creating individuals, regardless of their field of interest, with the understanding and knowledge that resources such as water are limited. Environmental issues should be embedded within these individuals for appropriate decision making given the current state and future projections of not only water, but environmental concerns going forward. / TL (2020)

Balancing water demand and supply in South Africa involves high levels of uncertainty. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is responsible for making decisions to either increase water supply or decrease water demand so as to ensure that sufficient water is available, when and where it is needed. However, no retrospective analyses of such decisions have been found. One way to assess such decisions is to evaluate the associated costs and benefits thereof. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to evaluate the costs and benefits of selected water supply options, and of the decision-making associated with those options. In order to achieve this purpose, four case studies were analysed within a mixed-methods research paradigm, which used both quantitative and qualitative methods, including unit reference value (URV) analysis, inter- and intra-case analysis and content analysis to examine the success of the decisions made. The four case studies were conducted on the Inyaka, Nandoni, Berg and De Hoop dams and their catchments. Firstly, estimated and actual project costs were compared using unit reference analysis and inter-case analyses. Secondly, the reduction of mean annual runoff (MAR) caused by invasive alien plants (IAPs) and the cost of clearing them in the dam catchments were evaluated using inter-case analyses. Information thus gathered was used together with data from DWS documentation and the results of interviews with ten key specialists, to analyse the decision-making process that led to the decision to build De Hoop Dam (the most recent case study). The rational decision-making model (RDMM) was used as a framework within which to analyse and evaluate this decision-making process. This study has also demonstrated how the RDMM can be used to assess decision-making associated with water supply development. The results of this study show that there is considerable variation of estimated costs (at the time that the decision to build the dam was taken) in relation to the actual costs of building the dams and that Ministers were not put in a position to understand the full long-term costs or the opportunity costs of the proposed dams. Furthermore, the most recent IAP data (2008) shows that the impact on water security by IAPs could not offset the water security resulting from building each of the four dams. However, if IAP management is not continued in these catchments, the projected reduction of MAR by IAPs will compromise water security within 45 years. Given the almost exponential spread and densification of IAPs, together with their long-term impact on MAR and increased costs of controlling them, it is clear that IAP management should have been factored into water supply decision-making from the outset. In the analysis of the decision to build the De Hoop Dam, the results show that while the decision-making process that culminated in the decision to build the dam did not follow the steps of the RDMM, DWS appears to have followed a somewhat similar approach. It was found that while there was a need for the provision of additional water in the Olifants catchment, this need was overstated and the resulting overestimation caused the scale and size of the dam to be larger than it could and probably should have been. Additionally, it appears that DWS‘s decision to build the De Hoop Dam themselves, rather than having it built by the private sector, may have been less than optimal. It is recommended that, in future decision-making, DWS needs to incorporate multiple alternative options into the same solution, and to ensure that decision-makers are put into a position to make informed decisions, including adequate consideration of externalities. Furthermore, DWS needs to employ decision-making models such as the RDMM to facilitate retrospective analyses to improve their institutional knowledge. Keywords: water resources management, dams, invasive alien plants, decision-making, unit reference values, rational decision-making model.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Geography)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / In South Africa, inadequate water supply is currently a national crisis hence, referred to as a water stressed country. The study’s aim was to assess water supply constraints in Giyani Township of the Greater Giyani Local Municipality that falls under the Mopani District Municipality. The Constitution of the country recognises water as a constitutional right. However, many households in Giyani Township do not receive regular water supply. In some communities, water infrastructure is available but not frequently maintained and that led to irregularity in water supply. The study used qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Self-administered structured questionnaire that consisted of open-ended and close-ended questions helped to collect primary data from the 382 sampled respondents of Giyani Township. Key Informants Interview (interview of people who are authorities responsible for water supply services) supplied information with regard to water delivery services in Giyani Township. Observation method assisted in the evaluation of the condition of the water supply infrastructures as well as the availability of water on a daily basis. Findings of the study indicated that most residents relied on piped water from Giyani Local Municipality, although water was not always readily available from the municipality. Incorrect billing for water services and delays in completion of water relief projects in addition to natural causes and lack of skilled workers were some of the causes that affected the regular supply of water in the township. The study concluded that Greater Giyani Local Municipality experienced a problem of water service delivery that impact negatively on communities and development as a whole The study recommended that the community should voice out grievances about the irregular water supply and request for further clarifications from the municipality during community meetings.. Keywords: Water, water constraints, water supply, Greater Giyani Local Municipality.

Water security is influenced by the complex interplay between ecological, socio-political, governance and water management systems. Achieving water security is essential for ensuring sustainable development, and challenges with water security are closely linked to the overall experience of poverty that many countries throughout the world, including South Africa, confront. These problems can broadly be understood through three main factors: water availability, access and usage; water governance and management underpin these factors. Water insecurity can often be seen in townships within South Africa, where water service delivery and water access is precarious. This study provides a lens into the water security experiences of two poor township communities in the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) namely Nomathamsanqa in Addo and Aquapark in Kirkwood. The research assessed water security patterns amongst RDP, township and informal settlement households serviced by the SRVM and found that communities face severe water security problems. Specifically, it was found that all township households encounter frequent water shortages, cuts in municipal water supply and water quality concerns. Issues around the payment for water and dissatisfaction with water service delivery also emerged. The purpose of this research was to allow for community experiences and perspectives to be expressed in an academic space that has previously been dominated by water management and policy makers. The study concludes that these communities within the SRVM experience significant challenges in securing safe water and these are largely due to social water scarcity issues and the difficulties the municipality faces concerning water service delivery.