Systems dynamics modelling of the water supply problem in the Limpopo province of South Africa

Abstract

Most of poor rural communities based in the North-Eastern parts of South Africa such as in the Limpopo province face shortage of water with mostly no access to clean portable water. The water shortage is caused by the lack of proper management of the existing water systems, such that water is lost in the system through leaking and burst pipes. The water scarcity has become the top agenda priority for the local governments in the province especially considering the drought level due to lack of rain. The issue of water scarcity affects households as well as the industrial and agricultural sectors serving these rural communities. Most of the areas have contaminated water because of lack of proper purification plants and pumping systems. The purpose of this study is to model the water supply chain to determine the nature and causes of poor delivery in the system. System dynamic model is developed using the Vensim software. The system is simulated to determine opportunities for improvement. The systems dynamics modelling is discussed herein.