Abstract
In South Africa more than 12 million people do not have access to clean water and less than half of the
rural population has a safe and accessible water supply. The study attempts to investigate the
challenges that hinder participation of rural communities in the delivery of a clean water supply. The
study looks at the definition of participation, the involvement of the community in decision making, and
the role of the planner in the delivery of clean water with a specific focus on the Jeppes Reefs
community as case study. The paper closes with recommendations for the future.