Overall WD-SA Findings Straight talk to Strengthen Delivery in the Water Services Sector Written by Mary Galvin, WD-SA Coordinator, this report is the main written achievement of a dynamic process involving all Working Group members. The outcome is a rich amalgam of findings that have already taken on a life of their own. They are already part of the public domain by virtue of engagement by this range of stakeholders. They have also begun to inform and stimulate local area deliberations, national thinking, and new international conclusions well beyond the purview of the WD-SA process.

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• Overview and highlights
• Introduction
• Research findings and conclusions

Case study summaries more >

• Ilembe Case Study Summary
• Cape Town Case Study Summary
• Chris Hani Case Study Summary
• Johannesburg Case Study Summary
• Maluti-a-Phofung Case Study Summary
• uThukela Case Study Summary
• Bushbuckridge Case Study Summary
• Ugu Case Study Summary
  

For full Case Study reports visit our Research page

Other

• Case Study Endnotes
• Appendices
• Report Front Cover
• Report Back Cover

What can we learn from The Water Dialogues-South Africa research?

The eight case studies unearthed the complex and wide ranging challenges facing municipalities. The research showed that finding workable solutions and taking appropriate decisions can only be achieved through a thorough understanding of the local context and realities.

Research Findings and Conclusions more >
The WD-SA synthesis report captures findings and conclusions under four cross cutting issues:

• public participation and politics;
• accountability and regulation;
• service levels, financing and affordability; and
• institutional approaches.

While many of these conclusions are not new, it is highly significant that they emerged from robust research and were acknowledged and agreed by stakeholders across the spectrum of positions and perspectives. This body of evidence and analysis can be fed into assessments and evolving turn-around strategies that seek to strengthen municipal governance and service provision. Where appropriate, proposed actions have been identified under each.

Click here to watch WD-SA’s DVD Chapters outlining overall findings and individual case study outcomes.

Ten Successes: Overarching findings
By raising critical issues, the WD-SA synthesis report may sound negative. However stakeholders highlighted ten successes – our over-arching findings – that all municipalities can build on. more >

Do WD-SA findings imply policy changes?
South Africa is rightly proud of its policy framework, which is hailed internationally for the way roles are assigned and co-ordination mechanisms are structured, and for providing a coherent policy and institutional framework from source to tap to toilet and back to source. The WD-SA concluded that problems were not due to policies per se, but rather due to the disjuncture between what they aim to achieve and what is workable on the ground… more >

A paradigm shift?
A radical rethink of how we work is needed to ensure effective, equitable and sustainable delivery of water supply and sanitation provided affordably to all… more >