DVA2603 - Urban Development_ portfolio exam 2021.

DVA2603 - Urban Development_ portfolio exam 2021. Urban Development. Water access and sanitation is an essential and a human right, yet some areas of the developing countries are still face with daily challenge accessing basic services. Water scarcity and lack of proper sanitation has become one of the biggest problems in developing countries. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) (2000) now known as The Department of water and sanitation, defines basic water supply as the “prescribed minimum standard of water supply services necessary for the reliable supply of sufficient quantity and quality of water to households including informal households to support life and personal hygiene. According to the UN-Habitat 2014 (in Ntema, Maphosa & Maseola 2017:32) Improved water and sanitation provision not only saves lives but also supports progress in education and health. With the lack of proper sanitation and access to water many households are suffering from diseases especially the children and the elderly. In this essay the concept of “water access and sanitation” together with the importance of water and sanitation delivery in urban development will be discussed. Furthermore, the essay will also discuss the challenges in water and sanitation access and service delivery together with the principles and strategies that could possibly resolve these problems. 2. The Concepts of “Water Access and Sanitation”. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) (2000) which is now knowns as the Department on water and Sanitation, defines Basic water supply as the “prescribed minimum standard of water supply services necessary for the reliable supply of a sufficient quantity and quality of water to households, including informal households, to support life and personal hygiene” (Ntema et al 2017:29). Water is connected to every forms of life on earth and access to water is a human right and an essential one can hardly survive without, therefore clean, accessible and safe drinking water supply needs to be made available to all areas of the developing countries. The “Free Basic Services Policy of 2001” was introduced following the 2000 local government elections and it entitles all households to an agreed level of free basic services, municipalities were tasked to identify household that would receive services such as water for free or at subsidised rates however some arears of the developing countries still do not have access to safe drinking water. Basic Sanitation is defined by (DWAF 2000) as the “prescribed minimum standard of services for the safe, hygienic and adequate collection, removal, disposal or purification of human excreta, domestic waste-water and sewage from households, including informal households” (Ntema et al 2017:29). In 2004 only 59% the world population had access to any type of improved sanitation facility, people defecate in unsanitary facilities and that has a serious risk of exposure to diseases (World Health Organization and UNICEF 2006:21). 3. Water and Sanitation service delivery in urban development Urban services are defined by Smith et al (2015) (in Ntema, Maphosa and Maseola 2017:32) as “an activity performed by a government, institution, group, or individual to the benefit of urban residents” The UN water report (2017) states that poverty-oriented water interventions can make a difference for billions of poor people who receive direct benefits from improved water and sanitation services through better health and reduced health costs. The delivery of effective and efficient water and sanitation services to urban communities are important to ensure sustainable human and economic development. Urbanisation which is what presents a challenge for water and sanitation management in developing countries as we find an increased number of populations, people moving from the rural areas to the cities with the hope of a better living. In rapidly growing slums where there is no planning and a few facilities the number of people living without access to basic water and sanitation services is increasing (Ntema et al 2017) 4. Challenges in water and sanitation access and service delivery In South Africa water and sanitation access and service delivery has been hindered by quiet number of challenges, Access to water supply and sanitation, pollution and waste-water management, climate change and water governance UN Water report (2015). Water demand is increased as urban population grows and water consumption in many cities is on the rise, Apart from the general challenges of water supply and sanitation in the context of urbanisation, developing countries are often faced with a rapid growth of slum settlements and this is making it difficult for the local authorities to render necessary and basic needs. The water points that the municipalities have managed to put is some areas, have not adequately met the demand of the growing populations (Ntema et al 2017:34). 5. Key principles and strategies for sustainable water and sanitation For the sustainable water and sanitation service delivery to be provided to citizens successfully there are guiding principles that municipalities and other service providers need to follow. Ntema et al (2017:36) mentions the key principles that South African government has adopted for water and sanitation service delivery as stipulated in the water services Act, sanitation needs to focus on all people in order for it to be effective with the emphasis on health and hygiene which will then ensure long-term maintenance of public health, community members should be consulted first regarding the improvement of sanitation before decision are taken. Environmental impacts must be considered carefully, good financial management is key especially on community projects like the provision of water access and sanitation service delivery. Water services institutions must ensure access to sanitation services and in cases where funds are not available water services must still meet the responsibilities such as hygiene education. Nzimakwe (2017) (in Ntema, Maphosa and Maseloa 2017:122) discussed the importance of the Public-private partnership in water and sanitation delivery. Public-private partnerships are a contractual arrangement whereby the resources risks and rewards of both the public agency and private company are combined to provide better access to capital. The PPPs assists in empowering communities and encourage economic development. 6. Conclusion 7. Bibliography .