Identifying the factors that affect the provision of water to households in the Free State Province

Abstract

The deterioration of water infrastructure leads to a reduction in economic growth and poor health for the citizens. Decision makers in local government prefer to prioritise above ground infrastructure and neglect critical underground infrastructure issues such as maintenance of water pipelines. As a result, this study used archival data to investigate the factors that increase the probability of water supply disruptions in the Free State Province. It also used a survey questionnaire to assess the perceptions of senior municipality officials involved in the water division with regards to the causes of frequent water disruptions. The study found out that poor maintenance, ageing infrastructure and low dam levels and a high proportion of poor households increase the probability of frequent water disruptions.