Water Supply Vol 2 No 2 pp 139–144 © IWA Publishing 2002
Addressing the sustainability of small-user rural water treatment systems in South Africa
G.S. Mackintosh*, P.F. de Souza** and E. Delport***
*Cape Water Programme, CSIR, P O Box 320, Stellenbosch, South Africa. (E-mail: gmackint@csir.co.za)
**Cape Water Programme, CSIR, P O Box 320, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
***Stellenbosch Municipality, PO Box 17, Stellenbosch, South Africa
ABSTRACT
A crucial consideration when considering water treatment in rural communities is the sustainability thereof. This paper compares the financial and technological sustainability of a membrane based water treatment plant versus a conventional type plant at two small rural communities in South Africa, and brief observation is made as to the importance of socio-political sustainability. The membrane-based process is shown to provide consistently good water, whilst the conventional process only provides intermittently good water. The membrane-based plant was successfully operated for an extended period by a community member with no prior skills in water treatment, and showed superior technological sustainability. Using a Net Present Value based approach, financial comparison shows that contrary to conventional wisdom in South Africa, the membrane-based plant has superior financial sustainability. The principle advantage of the membrane based treatment process is that it provides consistently high quality drinking-water and it is not possible for the system to pass on partially treated water that fails bacteriological standards. This will ensure the socio-political sustainability of the membrane-based process. In comparison the regular failure of the conventional system is likely to lead to eventual rejection of the technology by the community.
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