Abstract
This study is based on water demand planning (WDP) in the Vhembe District Municipality, which is located in the Limpopo province, South Africa. WDP enables effective water demand management, which involves the adaptation and implementation of a strategy or a programme by a water institution or consumer to influence water demand and usage. This research utilised an integrated mixed-methods research design to conduct the study. The research sample was obtained through non-probability sampling, whereby data were gathered from a defined population with the aim of studying the characteristics, perceptions, and intentions of that population. Two data-collection methods were used, namely interviews and questionnaires.
The study analysed the basic elements of WDP and investigated the legal aspects and policies that influence and guide WDP in South Africa. The study investigated international best practices based on a literature review, and triangulated them with the responses given to the questionnaires that were distributed to purposively sampled participants. These data sources were placed in juxtaposition in order to derive the findings of the study.
The conclusions of the study confirm the challenge that motivated the study, namely that WDP is neither properly understood nor carried out in the Vhembe District Municipality. A lack of proper WDP in the Vhembe District Municipality hinders the effective achievement of basic water supply and sanitation services in the district. The absence of integrated WDP models also cripples the effective utilisation of available resources such as the infrastructure used in water service provision. Consequently, the major aim of this study was to advance integrated WDP models that can be utilised by the Vhembe District Municipality. A comprehensive analysis of current WDP using research questionnaire, interviews, as well as literature data was undertaken to develop WDP models. This study analysed various theoretical approaches and models relating to WDP developed by different theorists and interrogated their applicability to water service provision. The applicability of these approaches and models of WDP was compared to experiences from other countries to draw important lessons so as to develop unique WDP models that respond to the problem statement. Furthermore, contributions to the literature by authorities on fundamental concepts in
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this study, such as integrated development planning, infrastructure rehabilitation financing mechanisms, local government structure, and major stakeholders, were reviewed. This process subsequently led to the propagation of five models of WDP, namely the water balance forecasting model, the integrated stakeholder participation model, the information flow model, the holistic decision-making model, and the municipal water perception enhancement model.
The five integrated WDP models advocate for incorporated and interlinked, multi-faceted processes that involve various role players from all key sectors, including the government, non-profit organisations, and ordinary citizens. The models encourage the harnessing of the potential possessed by the different stakeholders involved in WDP by maximising integration and cooperation between these stakeholders and thus achieving synergy. The proposed models aim to increase the efficiency of the utilisation of the existing resources within the water services. The models also seek to enable the Vhembe District Municipality to share knowledge and resources with other authorities globally as it aims to reach quality of service on par with global standards in water service delivery.
WDP contributes to integrated and sustainable social, economic, and political development in local governments. The suggested integrated models therefore seek to encourage a move away from the traditional Public Administration towards network forms of governance supported by New Public Governance paradigms. The models therefore seek to encourage more inclusive and organic linkages in the roles of government, non-governmental organisations, and ordinary citizens. Resultantly, they should enlighten local governments in Africa about new and emerging trends in the study and the practice of Public Management by advancing integrated models that depict new and evolving patterns or mechanisms of revolutionary change instituted in the furthering of knowledge and practice excellence.
KEYWORDS: district municipality; Limpopo province; local economic development; network governance; New Public Governance; water demand planning; water demand management.