An examination of the challenges of quality water provision in Madibeng local municipality, North West province

Abstract

Like most municipalities in South Africa, Madibeng local municipality (MLM) is faced with the dual problem of access to water and provision of quality water services. Despite the constitutional responsibility bestowed on municipalities to ensure that residents have consistent access to affordable, reliable and quality water, communities in larger portions of the MLM still have no access to quality water services. This article aimed to explore challenges of quality water service provision in MLM. Focusing on the Letlhabile area within the MLM, the article applied a mixed-method research approach whereby a non-probability sampling design was used to draw a sample of 70 respondents, comprising residents and responsible municipal officials. As part of the study findings, several challenges hindering provision of water services in MLM were confirmed. These included faltering district-local relations between MLM and Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, acute scarcity of technical skills such as water treatment technicians and as paucity of competent municipal leadership. In its conclusion, this article proposes possible solutions to the water-related problems prevalent in the municipality.