Dimensions of supply risks in the supply of water: a case of Zululand District Municipality.

Abstract

Increasing water shortage is providing an imperative to the measurement of water utilisation. So as to give a sensible picture of utilisation, this measurement ought to incorporate the operational activities of the municipality as well as to view from an end to end supply chain point of view. This study, subsequently, aimed to investigate the supply risks in the supply of water of the Zululand District Municipality. The study has four objectives; firstly to establish the degree of balance between water supply and demand characterized by driving forces of service delivery; secondly to determine the extent of supply risk management of water within the restraining forces of the Zululand District Municipality; thirdly to determine the magnitude response capacity of the Zululand District Municipality to mitigate the supply risk of water delivery; and lastly to analyse whether the integration of service delivery activities enhance the supply component of water. The case study is exploratory and a thematic analysis approach was adopted after gathering information through an in-depth interview. It became evident in this research that district municipalities lack the capacity to deliver water services due to a variety of supply chain risks faced by the municipality. The study also showed that the region is confronted with various risks with regard to supplying water to the community members of the surrounding area. The implications of water shortage negatively affect the livelihood and enhancement of the people neighbouring the Zululand region. Key concepts: Water Shortage, Water Supply, Service Delivery, Supply Risk Management, Supply Chain Risk