Water poverty mapping as a management tool

Abstract

In recent years it has been widely recognised that water was managed with little regard to the efficiency of its utilisation and with no or very little effective pollution control. The amount of fresh water on earth will continue to decline because of irresponsible usage, population growth and increasing pollution amongst others. The purpose of this research is not a management study, but to document how water poverty mapping can assist water management in three towns in South Africa. It should assist with as many as possible of the following aspects: the collection and analysis of all relevant information regarding the availability of water; its various uses; current supply status; future prospect; current water allocation details and the state and processes of water deprivation; and dissemination of information and messages arising from the analysis thereof to all concerned. This study recommends that water poverty mapping be used as a management tool by local municipalities, water service providers and governments. All three entities can use water poverty mapping to replace, supplement or validate their water demand predictions so that future supply can be guaranteed. Local municipalities can also use it as part of their master plan, which in turn guides urban expansion and infrastructure development.