1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910644267903321

Autore

Du Plessis Anja

Titolo

South Africa’s Water Predicament : Freshwater’s Unceasing Decline / / by Anja du Plessis

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2023

ISBN

9783031240195

9783031240188

Edizione

[1st ed. 2023.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (189 pages)

Collana

Water Science and Technology Library, , 1872-4663 ; ; 101

Disciplina

910.5

Soggetti

Water

Hydrology

Sustainability

Pollution

Ecology

Environmental policy

Environmental Sciences

Environmental Policy

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references.

Nota di contenuto

Introduction -- 1: Water Resources from a Global Perspective -- 2: Necessity of IWRM and Water Services -- 3: South Africa’s Continued Freshwater Decline and Current State -- 4: Decline in Informed Water Management  -- 5: Continued Lack of Water Service Delivery -- 6: Progressive Deterioration of Water Quality -- 7: Main Issues Requiring Attention and Addressing Continued Deterioration -- 8: Transforming the Predicament into Problems.

Sommario/riassunto

The book provides a critical evaluation of South Africa’s freshwater resources to illustrate the way in which its freshwater resources, water access, services and infrastructure have continued to decline over the past three decades. The continued decline of water governance, management, water service delivery, dilapidated water infrastructure, dysfunctional local governments and overall excessive water degradation is illustrated and emphasized using real-life examples and



case studies from various contexts within the country. The main argument of the book is that South Africa’s freshwater resources have declined to such an extent that it can be described as a predicament. Questionable water governance decisions and reactive water management practices have led to no improvement and/or increased degradation of freshwater resources. An overall lack of service delivery exists across the country, in various contexts, leading to further water and social decline. An inter-disciplinary evaluation of South Africa’s current water predicament is provided, major water crises are prioritized, and suitable recommendations are given to transform its predicament into problems which can be addressed. Suitable background information is given to emphasize the necessity of good water governance, management, and service delivery. South Africa’s freshwater resources are evaluated with specific focus on the decline of informed water governance, management, service delivery and water quality. Factors requiring urgent attention are determined and suitable recommendations and/or actions are provided. An evaluation and overall synthesis focused on the transformation of the predicament into problems is provided. Primary water problems are prioritized according to urgency and suitable recommendations are given to assist in transforming the country’s current complex water predicament into “simpler” water problems. Political will, collaboration with researchers, stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and cooperation of civil society is required. South Africa’s already scarce freshwater resources and decaying infrastructure will persist and possibly collapse if no major actions or interventions are implemented. .