Transcript Slide 1

Case Study Findings
Water Services in
Bushbuckridge Local
Municipality
Water Dialogues – South Africa
Presentation for Local Dialogue
6 March 2009
Background on Case Study
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Research Conducted in 2007, 2008
Communities: Belfast, Dingleydale, Mkhuhlu,
Welverdiend
Water Service Authority/Provider Interviews
Case Study Findings
Bushbuckridge LM is currently
struggling to perform all of the
necessary functions, though water
and sanitation services do remain a
top priority of officials.
Case Study Findings
There remain massive backlogs,
though they are not spread evenly
across the DM: urban areas and
larger towns receive higher levels of
service than rural communities.
Case Study Findings
Continual institutional change and
changes in the allocation of
functions has had negative effects on
services delivery.
Effects of Transitions
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Loss of Institutional Knowledge
Lowered Staff Productivity
Strained Intra-organizational Relationships
Effects of Transitions:
2008 Follow Up Research
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Key water services staff had been hired
Reporting relationships improved
Contracts developed and signed for staff
Task team set up to improve relationships
among Water Board and BBR LM
Plans for emergency water services were in
progress
Case Study Findings
The municipality reports that it struggles
to secure adequate funding and staff
capacity to eradicate backlogs in water
and sanitation. Any financial analysis of
water and sanitation services provision is
complicated by a lack of reliable data
and the fact that three organizations are
involved in the effort.
Case Study Findings
Many residents do not pay for water,
but service levels remain low and the
effects of the Free Basic Water
(FBW) policy remain unclear.
Case Study Findings
Lack of RDP-standard access to
water and sanitation services is
creating health issues across all of
the communities researched.
Case Study Findings
In addition to illness, lack of access
to clean water causes other
difficulties for communities.
Case Study Findings
Despite reported scarcities of water,
natural water resources in the area
are reportedly sufficient, and bulk
water operations and infrastructure is
currently providing a consistent
supply.
Case Study Findings
The poor condition of infrastructure
overall is causing operations,
maintenance and repair issues which
resulted in reduced access for residents
even within the areas served by
municipal infrastructure. It
furthermore caused high water losses,
which are expensive for the LM.
Case Study Findings
Communication with users is an area
in which the LM could greatly
improve.
Case Study Findings
The sustainability of the current
water and sanitation system is of
some concern. However, the amount
of progress made by the time the
research team returned in 2008 was
promising.
Progress Made Since 2007
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Senior managers hired
LM management is in the process of finalising
structures, systems and an enabling environment
to perform its functions and integrate other
responsibilities with its current WSP functions
into a single municipal structure and system.
Progress Made Since 2007
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Contracts have been signed and reporting roles
clarified – according to management
An organogram has been created which clarifies
staff reporting mechanisms have been clarified,
DWAF Mpumalanga has taken a supportive role
in building capacity
Progress Made Since 2007
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Attempts to repair and improve the relationship
between BLM and BWB
A temporary agreement of an amount that
Bushbuckridge LM will pay to Bushbuckridge Water
Board for its services
 A service-level agreement between Bushbuckridge
LM and Bushbuckridge Water Board is in progress,
facilitated by DWAF Mpumalanga
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Progress Made Since 2007
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A temporary/emergency plan for water to be
provided without to areas without adequate
access. The provision of water tankers to these
areas was meant to be approved soon after the
completion of a tender process (by the end of
June).
Case Study Findings
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Two initiatives have begun to support the LM in the
building of institutional capacity so it is able to fulfil its
WSA and WSP functions.
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Siyenza Manje is one initiative which is funded through the
Development Bank of Southern Africa and places retired
people with technical skills in the municipality for support.
Masibambane is a DWAF-led programme that provides
funding to the municipality to contract outside workers with
the skills and expertise required for technical and other
support functions.
Conclusions
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Correct causes of problems with water services should
be identified
Changes in institutional arrangements do not
necessarily solve problems
How transitions are handled can greatly improve
chances of success
Each municipality has its own challenges and assets,
one arrangement that works in one area may not work
in another area
Political or other tensions should be separated as much
as possible from water service delivery
THANK YOU!
Water Dialogues – South Africa