Adaptation of the community to the impact of drought on water availability in Bloemfontein, Free State Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Drought is considered to be a life-threatening natural disaster that results in many uncertainties. Drought has been occurring globally in the past decades due to climate change. The reduction of the availability of water in the impacted regions is one of the features of drought. Many cities in South Africa lack drought impact adaptation plans to deal with the increased water demand. Therefore, it is important to conduct drought monitoring models for adaptation in cities that lack the capacity. The study aims to determine the impacts of the recent droughts on the availability of water and the adaptation of the community toward water restrictions. To achieve this aim, five objectives were devised; namely: (i) To determine the impact of drought on the Bloemfontein area by assessing the annual meteorological data, rainfall levels as well as dam levels of Bloemfontein from 2016 to 2018, (ii) To assess the household water use behaviour of the Bloemfontein community members after the implementation of water restrictions, (iii) To evaluate the annual data on water use in Bloemfontein from 2016 to 2018, and (iv) To review the Disaster Risk Management Plan that is currently in place in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality governing the Bloemfontein area. Methodology: The study aimed to determine the impact of drought on citizens’ lives, if and how they adapted to the consequences of drought, and whether the governing body’s planning adequately provides for strategies to prevent/counter the impact of drought. Meteorological data (temperatures and rainfall) and data on dam levels were collected electronically for the years 2016 to 2018 – the period under study. Monthly water use data for that period in time also were collected electronically from the municipality concerned. Multiple-choice questions and close-ended questions were used in a questionnaire survey to gather data on community members’ perceptions, actions, and behaviour during the drought. Quantitative data were analysed statistically, and qualitative data (close-ended questions) were categorised into themes, and which were then quantified for comparisons. Results: The study established that the average annual maximum temperatures of 2016, 2017, and 2018 were 26,4°C, 26,5°C, and 26,4°C were higher than the normal 23°C annual maximum temperatures due to the impact of drought during the study period. The results also showed that the annual rainfall for the years 2016 at 451 mm, 2017 at 500,8 mm, and 2018 at 478 mm was less than the normal annual rainfall of 500-600 mm for the study area, which was indicative of a period of drought. The lack of awareness by the community members could have been one of the reasons why participants did not use more water-saving strategies continually to reduce their water use despite the implementation of the water restrictions. The study finally demonstrates that the Disaster Risk Management Plan of the study area is being implemented continuously as areas that are experiencing disasters including drought are identified and measures such as the implementation of general water restrictions, to ensure continuous water provision, and thus reducing the risk of disaster for the community members Conclusions: The study concluded that the temperatures, rainfall, and dam water levels of the Bloemfontein city have been impacted by drought during the study period. The study also established that the community of Bloemfontein needs to use more strategies to use water sparingly during the drought periods. The study has lastly shown that the implementation of the Disaster Risk Management Plan in Bloemfontein has been put in place and it is effective.