Perceptions of informal settlement residents on water supply and sanitation : the case of Boiketlong in Emfuleni Local Municipality

Abstract

Informal settlements in South Africa face common challenges of inadequate services delivery or none. The basic services which most informal settlement residents need for survival are water supply and sanitation. The state of affairs in informal settlements with regard to water supply and sanitation is that the infrastructure for such services is of poor quality, and requires urgent improvement in order to meet international standards. In many informal settlements people still travel long distances to collect water, while the majority still use pit latrines. The objective of the study is to establish the perceptions of informal settlement residents on water supply and sanitation in their area of residence. The study also aims at investigating survival strategies utilised by such residents with regard to water supply and sanitation. The focus is on the Boiketlong informal settlement, situated in the Emfuleni Local Municipality area of jurisdiction in Gauteng, South Africa. The role of the municipality, operating within the existing framework of legislation relevant to water supply and sanitation, forms part of the aims of the study. The recommendations made at the end of the study are intended to add value to the development of strategies aimed at improving service delivery in informal settlements.