Learning Unit 7
Water and Sanitation
7.1 Outcomes
Outcomes are as they are in page 14 of your study guide
Refer to relevant pages of your reader for detailed discussion on this.
7.2 Introduction
Water is a basic human right that is entrenched in section 27 of the constitution of the
Republic of South Africa, no 108 of 1996. Sanitation is also a critical aspect of public
health because poor sanitation is linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera,
diarrhea and dysentery. The World Health Organization has also addressed water
provision as Millennial Development Goal number 7.
7.3 Status of water in South Africa
South Africa is one of the countries that have critical shortage of water supply. Most
provinces in South Africa were hard hit by drought, but the worst was the Western
Cape, specifically Cape Town, where day Zero was postponed almost happened last
yera, but still most communities have water restrictions, this was all in an attempt to
manage water shortage. Water is an essential aspect of daily survival, not only for
human beings but both humans and animals compete for this precious natural resource.
Most communities in South Africa still do not have running, safe drinking water. In most
communities, water is still fetched from unsafe sources.
7.4 Water and Sanitation in relation to environmental health
Water is essential for activities of daily living for everyone, from bathing, cooking,
drinking, laundry activities etc. In actual fact, there is no life without water. Provision of
safe water and sanitation is important to both environmental and public health. Water
pollution should be prevented and addressed at all costs because inability to provide
safe drinking water has detrimental effects. If we watch news, we often see that oceans
are also fast becoming dumping sites for garbage, and the concern was that this is to
1
Water and Sanitation
7.1 Outcomes
Outcomes are as they are in page 14 of your study guide
Refer to relevant pages of your reader for detailed discussion on this.
7.2 Introduction
Water is a basic human right that is entrenched in section 27 of the constitution of the
Republic of South Africa, no 108 of 1996. Sanitation is also a critical aspect of public
health because poor sanitation is linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera,
diarrhea and dysentery. The World Health Organization has also addressed water
provision as Millennial Development Goal number 7.
7.3 Status of water in South Africa
South Africa is one of the countries that have critical shortage of water supply. Most
provinces in South Africa were hard hit by drought, but the worst was the Western
Cape, specifically Cape Town, where day Zero was postponed almost happened last
yera, but still most communities have water restrictions, this was all in an attempt to
manage water shortage. Water is an essential aspect of daily survival, not only for
human beings but both humans and animals compete for this precious natural resource.
Most communities in South Africa still do not have running, safe drinking water. In most
communities, water is still fetched from unsafe sources.
7.4 Water and Sanitation in relation to environmental health
Water is essential for activities of daily living for everyone, from bathing, cooking,
drinking, laundry activities etc. In actual fact, there is no life without water. Provision of
safe water and sanitation is important to both environmental and public health. Water
pollution should be prevented and addressed at all costs because inability to provide
safe drinking water has detrimental effects. If we watch news, we often see that oceans
are also fast becoming dumping sites for garbage, and the concern was that this is to
1
