Community perceptions, participation, and satisfaction with existing Water Resource Management Plans: a case study of a polluted water system in South Africa

Abstract

The increased competition and demand between different water uses have motivated for finding new and innovative approaches towards managing water resources. The Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) process depends on the collaboration of all interested and affected parties (I&APs) in water resource management. The eutrophication levels of the Roodeplaat Dam (RD) have been a cause for concern since the early 1980s, in order to manage this eutrophication, an integrated approach, involving local communities in the management of water resources is necessary. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to understand the community perspectives on the function and management of the RD and its tributaries. The results of the study showed that in terms of community perceptions, highly educated people tend to qualify the quality of water as very bad and their perceptions of the potential effects of poor water quality were correlated to gender. People's satisfaction level with the current management plan was negatively correlated to employment status. Surprisingly, the communities’ involvement in the management and use of water resources in the Roodeplaat Catchment Area was correlated to their ethnicity. On the basis of these findings, a few recommendations were proposed for the effective management of the RD and its inflowing rivers.