LIFE ORIENTATION

Kgomotso More 12A

Question3

3.1) Water accessibility - “access to basic sanitation services”

“lack basic service”

Water quality – “drink untreated surface water”

“do not have safety managed drinking water”

Water availability-“ lack hand washing facilities at home”

Water sanitation and hygiene- “ do not have safely managed drinking water”

“do not have safety managed sanitation services”

3.2)Better Roads and Connectivity(infrastructure): Cities and suburbs usually have well-maintained
roads and more extensive transportation networks, which facilitate faster travel for emergency
responders. In contrast, rural areas might have fewer, less maintained roads, making it harder and
slower for responders to reach the scene.

Higher Population Density: Urban and suburban areas have higher population densities, leading to a
greater concentration of emergency service facilities and personnel. This concentration ensures that
responders can cover smaller geographic areas more efficiently

3.3) Income Levels(Affordability): Higher-income households can afford better water infrastructure,
such as private wells or advanced filtration systems. In contrast, lower-income households might
struggle to afford even basic water services.

Environmental Factors(Climate Change and Water Scarcity): Socio-economic status affects a

community's ability to adapt to environmental challenges. Wealthier areas can invest in technologies
and infrastructure to mitigate the impact of water scarcity caused by climate change.

Government and Policy(Corruption and Mismanagement): Poor governance and corruption can
divert resources away from water infrastructure projects, reducing access to clean water.

3.4) Effective infrastructure is crucial in both urban and rural areas to ensure reliable access to clean
water. Investing in and maintaining this infrastructure is vital for public health, economic growth,
and improving overall quality of life. In urban areas, access to clean water relies heavily on
sophisticated infrastructure. Centralized water treatment plants process and purify large volumes of
water using advanced technologies such as filtration, sedimentation, and chemical treatments,
ensuring that the water supplied to households is safe for consumption. Extensive pipeline networks
distribute this treated water to homes, businesses, and institutions, necessitating regular
maintenance and upgrades to prevent leaks and ensure system integrity. Urban infrastructure also
includes reservoirs and storage tanks to maintain a steady water supply even during high demand or
disruptions. Effective sewage treatment facilities are crucial to prevent water source contamination,
while stormwater management systems handle runoff and prevent flooding, which can lead to water
contamination. In rural areas, access to clean water often depends on wells and boreholes that
provide direct access to groundwater, with hand pumps or mechanized pumps used to extract
water. Community water systems may include small-scale treatment units, such as filtration and
chlorination, to ensure water safety, with shared resources like water tanks and pumps. Rainwater
harvesting systems are also common, collecting and storing rainwater for household use, and
requiring properly designed and maintained storage tanks. Additionally, rural infrastructure includes
latrines or septic systems to manage human waste, and hygiene education programs to promote
practices that protect water quality.

3.5) The long-term consequences of consuming contaminated water are extensive and deeply
impact food security. Health issues among agricultural workers, such as gastrointestinal diseases,
neurological disorders, and chronic conditions like cancer, can arise from chronic exposure to
contaminated water, leading to reduced productivity and labour shortages. Livestock consuming
contaminated water suffer from health issues like reduced growth rates and reproductive problems,
resulting in decreased meat and dairy production. Crops watered with contaminated water
accumulate harmful substances, leading to reduced yields, poorer quality produce, and unsafe food.
Long-term use of contaminated water for irrigation degrades soil quality and disrupts nutrient
balances, diminishing agricultural productivity. These challenges increase costs for farmers, including
the need for clean water, fertilizers, and soil amendments, while also facing income losses from
reduced yields and livestock productivity. Food products grown with contaminated water pose
significant health risks to consumers, leading to foodborne illnesses and eroding public trust in the
food supply. Reduced agricultural productivity leads to decreased food availability and price
inflation, making food less affordable and accessible, especially for low-income populations.
Environmental impacts include ecosystem disruption and biodiversity loss, affecting aquatic food
availability and the resilience of food systems. Addressing water contamination is crucial for
sustainable food security and protecting public health.

Question4

4.1) Social media offers numerous benefits for reporting and resolving service delivery issues in
communities. It enables real-time reporting, broad reach, community engagement, accountability,
transparency, evidence collection, advocacy, and collaboration with authorities. By leveraging these
aspects, community members can instantly share information, mobilize collective action, hold
service providers accountable, and facilitate evidence-based advocacy campaigns. Additionally,
social media can foster better communication between residents and authorities, leading to more
efficient feedback gathering and complaint resolution. Overall, social media has the potential to
significantly enhance the reporting and resolution of service delivery issues in communities.

4.2) While social media can be a valuable tool for reporting poor service delivery, it can also be
vulnerable to abuse and manipulation. Two significant risks are the spread of false information,
including misinformation, disinformation, and fake evidence, which can create unnecessary panic
and divert resources away from genuine issues. Additionally, political manipulation can occur
through astroturfing, where fake accounts or bots are used to create a false narrative, and the
amplification of bias, where selective reporting reinforces particular viewpoints, polarizing
communities and skewing public perception. These abuses can compromise the credibility of social
media as a platform for community reporting and hinder efforts to address actual service delivery
problems, highlighting the need for critical evaluation and responsible use of social media in
reporting and addressing community issues.
Question5

5.1) Raising awareness about the dangers of consuming contaminated water can be achieved
through a multifaceted approach that includes educational campaigns, community projects, events,
collaborations, digital campaigns, and advocacy initiatives. Educational campaigns can utilize public
service announcements, infographics, and workshops to disseminate information. Community
projects can involve water testing drives, clean water initiatives, and local watchdog groups. Events
like World Water Day celebrations, health fairs, and school programs can engage the community.
Collaborations with NGOs, government agencies, and corporate social responsibility programs can
amplify the message. Digital campaigns can leverage hashtags, educational videos, and webinars.
Finally, advocacy initiatives can push for policy changes through petitions and dialogues. By
combining these strategies, awareness can be effectively raised, and safer water practices can be
promoted, ultimately protecting public health.

5.2) Governments can ensure accountability for adequate and quality service delivery by
implementing two key systems: Performance Management and Evaluation System (PMES) and
Citizen Feedback and Grievance Redressal Mechanism. PMES involves setting Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs), regular performance reviews, transparent reporting, and linking outcomes to
incentives and consequences. The Citizen Feedback and Grievance Redressal Mechanism includes
online platforms and mobile apps for feedback, an independent ombudsman or watchdog agency,
public hearings, and follow-up and resolution tracking. These systems promote transparency,
responsiveness, and accountability, ensuring government officials are held responsible for delivering
quality services to the public. By implementing these mechanisms, governments can foster a culture
of accountability, improve service delivery, and enhance citizen trust and satisfaction.

Question 6

Richard Kwame Adom, Mulala Danny Simatele, 25 March 2021 “Analysis of Public Policies and
Programmes Towards Water Security in Post-Apartheid South Africa”

https://iwaponline.com/wp/article/23/3/503/81112/Analysis-of-public-policies-and programmes-
towards [Accessed 27 April 2024]

Amy Quandt, Bethany O’shea, Saheed Oke, Olusola Ololade, 14 October 2022, “Policy interventions
to address water security impacted by climate change: Adaption Strategies of Three Case Studies
Across Different Geographic Regions”

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/water/articles/10.3389/frwa.2022.935422/full [Accessed 27
April 2024]

Oskam MJ Pavlova M Hongoro C Groot W, 7 Oct 202, “Socio-Economic Inequalities in Access to

Drinking Water Among inhabitants of Informal Settlements in South Africa,” Int J Environ Res Public
Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8507892/ [Accessed 27 April 2024]