Assessment of sustainable water security in the Bojanala region in the Northwest Province in South Africa

Abstract

Sustainable water security is essential for human well-being, environmental preservation, economic prosperity, and social stability. Pursuing sustainable water security is instrumental in guiding policymakers, planners, and stakeholders to implement effective and equitable water management practices that can create a resilient and sustainable water future for both current and future generations. The Bojanala District, like many other regions, faces significant challenges regarding water security. Understanding the challenges faced by the Bojanala District in terms of water security is vital to secure a sustainable water future and supporting socio-economic development. The purpose of this research was to assess sustainable water security among households and develop a descriptive model capable of guiding for implementation of reliable interventions regarding water security and supply in the Bojanala District, in the Northwest Province of South Africa. The specific objectives of the study were to identify and analyze the demographic and socio-economic features associated with water security in the study area; assess the water security status among households in terms of availability and access to water, and identify and analyze the factors influencing sustainable water security in the area. In this endeavor, the study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-method design to explore the concept of sustainable water security among households in the Bojanala District. A sample size of 384 participants was selected, allowing for the generalizability of findings to the target population. The combination of stratified random sampling and simple random sampling ensured the representation of diverse perspectives. Data collection at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated non-contact interviews. The survey was disseminated online to respondents residing across the Bojanala District. The study employed a semi-structured questionnaire divided into sections informed by the specific objectives of the study. The quantitative data was collected through household questionnaire surveys, focusing on water security indicators such as water availability, access, and quality, as well as their impacts on livelihoods, health, and education. Subsequently, qualitative data was gathered through interviews, focus groups, and observations to provide further explanation and context for the quantitative finding. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of SPSS Windows Version 25. The qualitative data obtained from interviews were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique. Triangulation, using multiple data sources and methods, strengthened the validity and reliability of the research The study comprised a predominantly female population, constituting 63.8% of the participants, while 62.5% of the respondents were single. Furthermore, a substantial proportion, 32.6%, fell within the age bracket of 30 to 40 years. The study findings indicate that a significant majority (51.3%) of the respondents hold the perception that the condition of the water supply infrastructure is poor; a considerable proportion (63.9%) revealed that there have been disputes or disagreements about water shortages, and standing in long queues when fetching water. The majority (49.7%) of participants indicated boreholes as their main source of water supply. The participants, comprising 41.7% of the sample population, hold the view that the diseases observed within their households have a direct association with water-related factors due to the perceived poor quality of water. Moreover, the findings indicate that a significant proportion of the participants, 93.8%, reported not obtaining water from an in house tap connected to a private borehole. Additionally, a majority of the respondents, 89.6%, expressed dissatisfaction with the public water source, as it fails to adequately meet the water demands of the current population. The results of logit regression show that when independent variables are added, the model correctly classifies 82.9% of overall cases. The results also revealed that 78.1% of the participants who are water-secured were predicted by the model to be water-secured. Furthermore, the results revealed that 86.4% of the participants who were not water-secured were predicted by the model to be not water secured. It is also noted from the results that the positive predicted value of 80.6% of all the cases predicted to be water-secured was correctly predicted. The negative predicted value of 84.4% of all the cases predicted to be not water-secured was correctly predicted. The insights gained from our logit regression analysis offer valuable contributions to the field of water security. The model's predictive accuracy and identification of key predictors can significantly enhance water security outcomes by guiding targeted interventions. To address the concerns, the study recommends the following: enhancing the management and maintenance of water sources and infrastructure to ensure a consistent and reliable water supply; Regularly assessing the effectiveness of implemented measures in addressing water shortages and resolving disputes; Implementing appropriate water treatment and purification methods to improve the quality of water supplied to the participants' households. Exploring strategies to optimize water distribution systems and minimize long queues; Implementing a comprehensive water quality monitoring program to assess the safety of the water supply. In other words, addressing these concerns through targeted strategies can lead to improved water security outcomes for the District. Finally, this research makes a significant academic contribution by pioneering an innovative analytical framework in the study area, effectively addressing an existing research gap. It represents the first comprehensive study of its kind in this geographical region, thereby offering valuable insights and relevance to the field.