Service delivery and equitable distribution of water and sanitation services in the Newcastle Local Municipality

Abstract

The slogan by the department of water and sanitation declares that “water is life” and “sanitation is dignity”. This slogan stresses the importance these services have to the daily lives of people. The study about access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation reveals the intricate link that these services have. It also reveals the detrimental effects to human can have to humanity if not well managed, on the one hand, and the benefits they can bring to economic and social developmental opportunities to a country and its populace. The perils and the benefits associated with provision of both clean drinking water and improved sanitation demands that governments pay particular attention in assisting its communities to access these services. Various global conferences have made great strides in alerting world communities about challenges caused by the lack access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation as well as in encouraging world governments these basic needs to their people. This study analyses access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation services delivery, within the Newcastle Local Municipality (NLM). It starts by investigating the work undertaken by global communities in revealing the importance of water and sanitation in fighting poverty and diseases and in encouraging global governments to provide clean drinking water and proper sanitation to their people. The study further analysis the impact the global conferences have had in shaping the policies direction relating to water and sanitation in South Africa. It then investigates progress that has been made by the NLM in providing clean drinking water and proper sanitation to its communities. While the study is undertaken, cognisance is taken of the previous inequality that characterized the populace of South Africa. In investigating progress made in the NLM, the study compares the previously disadvantaged communities with the previously advantaged communities with respect to the provision of clean drinking water and improved sanitation. The study concludes by making recommendations as to what the NLM can do to maximize its rollout of water and sanitation services to its people.