An Assessment of The Effectiveness of Government Intervention Strategies For Water Provision In Rural Communities In The O R Tambo District Municipality South Africa

ABSTRACT This study examines the provision of potable water to rural areas by South African municipalities, focusing on the experience of the O R Tambo District Municipality. Managing rural water supply systems effectively and efficiently is a challenge to the municipality due to the long distances between consumers and municipal centres. This is couple with the low income of most residents and the government's policy of free basic water is making rural water provision very difficult in the O R Tambo District Municipality. This policy obliges municipalities to supply a basic quantity of water usually set at 6 kilolitres per month to each household free of charge. Many rural municipalities face additional challenges of limited revenue and limited managerial and technical capacity as well as limited quantity and quality water system or source. There is little empirical data on how successful municipalities have been in providing water to rural areas. Data was collected from three local municipalities of O R Tambo that is King Sabata Dalindyebo, Mhlontlo and Qawukeni local municipalities respectively. According to the result of the research, 77% of the sample population complained that there have been no improvements in their livelihood because they still get water from the natural source and even the 33% that were getting water from the taps still have to depend on natural sources because the taps are always broken. Despite significant investment and important progress, access to safe potable water continues to be one of the most pressing challenges for rural communities in O.R.Tambo District Municipality. Rural communities should be educated on the importance of co-operation and willingness to clean and protect the surroundings of natural sources of water