There are a wide range of issues that stem from inadequate access to, and the unsustainable management of water resources, which can lead to ecological and human crises (Gleik, 1998: 571). With the increasing demand for clean water for drinking and sanitation, coupled with population growth, aging infrastructure, and climate change, many countries face a complex set of threats when dealing with their water resources and the management thereof (Environmental Protection Agency, 2012: 4). South Africa‟s challenges are no different, if current trends in water management continue and government does not intervene with what has been an unequal society even in terms of the division of water, it will continue to lose ground in its development and sustaining of water resources (Ukwandu, 2009: 24 - 30). “The objective of managing the quantity, quality and reliability of the nation‟s water resources is to achieve optimum, long-term, environmentally sustainable social and economic benefit for society from their use.” (Principle 7 of the National Water Policy, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 1997: 20). The primary objective of this research is to develop a framework for water management and sustainable development by utilising a Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) to develop strategies for innovation in South Africa towards 2050. New rules and regulations have been adopted by local municipal divisions in South Africa to promote sustainable, environmentally friendly buildings and methods. It is therefore the aim of the research to establish ways in which water can be harvested and saved in a simple and innovative yet sustainable manner. The complexity of erecting structures has also increased with some sustainable measures in water management taking place, however the water issues in South Africa continue to grow and cause concern. Government therefore plays a pivotal role in ensuring that water is managed sustainably at not only harvesting and infrastructure level but also re-cycling level, where simple innovative strategies can be adopted. This paper further seeks to highlight the positive and negative impacts of implementing water management methods and strategies that can be adopted.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nmmu/vital:20417 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Osmond, Christopher John |
| Publisher | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Masters, MSc |
| Format | xiv, 302 leaves, pdf |
| Rights | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
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