Abstract
South Africa is a semi-arid country faced with an enormous water supply management challenge,
and is therefore classified as a water stressed country. However, in addition to this matter, the
management of the available water resources, the facilities, the infrastructure as well as the
forecasting have failed. The major difficulties of services providers and delivery is related to
the identification of how to manage their responsibility to supply continuous, acceptable, reliable
and safe water to consumers. In an effort to address the current challenge, a methodical
management system is the key to tackle issues and continuously improve water supply services.
This study investigated approaches to manage and alleviate the water supply shortage and to
determine the gaps which contribute to the water shortage by considering the application of
Lean Six Sigma tools analysis using the localities of Sebokeng/Evaton as case studies. A
quantitative research methodology using a closed ended questionnaire was adopted to collect and
analyse data.
The findings of the study revealed there are many issues related to the water management
challenge. This is due to the fact that water supply schemes are in a poor condition because of a
lack of proper operation, maintenance, lack of infrastructure and facilities, whilst the available
water resources are limited. The core of the water supply shortage, which has resulted in the
failure of the management system is directly related to the lack of effective or appropriate
management techniques to identify and improve significantly the water supply shortage. The
management of water schemes, in particular the operation and maintenance, is a principal
problem in ensuring assurance of the water supply. The results of a Pareto analysis also shows
80% of the defects and the order in which the problems must be resolved. It is therefore
recommended that to provide an adequate and reliable supply of safe water to the consumer,
management operation and maintenance activities need to be continuously fulfilled in order to
achieve better performance in all processes within the provider services. It appears that a
methodical approach to management is required to resolve these issues related to failure of
management, or an inappropriate approach to water management techniques. Use of sea water
could be a reliable long term solution to the problem of water scarcity.
M.Tech. (Operations Management)