Using System Dynamics to Explore the Water Supply and Demand Dilemmas of a Small South African Municipality

Using System Dynamics to Explore the Water Supply and Demand Dilemmas of a Small South African Municipality

Clifford Holmes, J.K.
Slinger, J.H.
Musango, J.K.
Brent, A.C.
Palmer, C.G.

Technology, Policy and Management

Multi Actor Systems

2014-07-20

This paper explores the challenges faced by small municipalities in providing water services in a developing-world context of increasing urban demand. The paper uses a case study of the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) in South Africa. The municipality faces multiple dilemmas in reconciling its available water supply with growing demand for potable water in the primary urban settlement in the area, in a struggle that is typical of the broad category of South African municipalities to which the SRVM belongs. These dilemmas are explored using a system dynamics model, referred to as the ‘Kirkwood water demand system dynamics model’ (K-DEM). This paper specifically introduces the K-DEM structure, which is aimed at investigating the impacts of households progressively receiving full water and sanitation services; the use of rainwater harvesting as an alternative form of water supply; and the possible effect of a household-level water conservation / water demand management programme. Baseline results are discussed, and areas for future research identified.

water demand management
water service provision
municipalities
local government
South Africa
mathematical model

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c5a645f5-d5f4-4d7d-bd74-7a3329930472

System Dynamics Society

32nd International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, Delft, The Netherlands, 20-24 July 2014; Authors version

Institutional Repository

conference paper

(c) 2014 The Author(s)