Using urban facilities management principles to promote sustainable water management in informal settlements in South Africa

This research investigates the potential of Urban Facilities Management (UFM) in the promotion of sustainable water management practices in informal settlements in South Africa. The rationale for the study is that with the rapid increase in urban populations and the number of people living in informal settlements, there is an increased need for the adoption of sustainable water management. Guidance is required to implement Water Sensitive Design (WSD) approaches related to drainage and greywater management in informal settlements. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach. Key findings from the mixed-methods approach and UFM theoretical perspectives were used to develop a conceptual UFM-based framework for sustainable water management in informal settlements. The quantitative phase of the study made use of a Contingent Valuation based household survey to investigate Hout Bay residents' willingness to pay (WTP) for the provision of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and greywater management infrastructure in the neighbouring informal settlement of Imizamo Yethu situated upstream of Hout Bay, Cape Town. Findings reveal that the WTP for once-off payments was R408, and R71 for once-off payments over 12 months. Cumulatively, the household WTP contributed an aggregate total value (TWTP) of R3 200 700 of potential revenue for the implementation of WSD infrastructure in Imizamo Yethu. The respondents' attitudes and perceptions towards water and sanitation service delivery, and their interactions with the Disa River estuary were ranked using their Relative Importance Index (RII). The ranking indicated that the provision and facilitation of safe access to water and sanitation to all citizens, protection of freshwater systems, improving solid waste removal and the rehabilitation and restoration of freshwater systems were ranked first, second, third and fourth respectively. Furthermore, a linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between WTP and various independent variables including gender, ...