Water quality problems and management in rural areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa

A study has been conducted to illustrate examples of water quality problems to vulnerable communities in Limpopo Province of South Africa (SA) and management practices and strategies. Pollution of water sources is a major threat to the scarce water resources in the province. This severely affects water quality and impacts negatively on public health particularly in remote rural communities that are rarely supplied with treated municipal water. Such communities rely on directly abstracted untreated water from rivers, boreholes, springs and rainwater harvesting. Cases of acute diarrhea and dental fluorosis have been shown to result from significant levels of fecal coliforms and fluorides respectively. The study shows that though water quality management strategies based on legal frameworks exist, lack of technical capacity and adequate finances, etc, at the municipality hinder efficient implementation.