Factors influencing grey water use in Bushbuchkridge Villages, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Abstract

The study examined the perceptions and practices surrounding greywater use in Bushbuckridge Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The study examined the perceptions and practices surrounding greywater use in Bushbuckridge Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The current research was conducted to understand how the participants in Bushbuckridge municipality perceive greywater and its potential for domestic non-potable applications, particularly in garden irrigation. The study was set out with the objectives of examining the impact of greywater use on household irrigation practices and evaluating how current treatment technologies influence the implementation and sustainability of greywater reuse in the Bushbuckridge municipality. The study employed a descriptive survey design using structured questionnaires to collect data from 84 participants representing diverse socio-economic and demographic backgrounds for the Bushbuckridge municipality. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics with the STATA 12 program to determine the levels of knowledge, awareness, and adoption of greywater practices among the participants of the Bushbuckridge municipality. The results showed that the majority of participants (58.33%) who were interviewed had some knowledge of greywater and its potential benefits; however, most (83.33%) were not aware of the available technologies for treating greywater before reuse. The results revealed that only a small proportion of participants reported using either chemical (9.52%) or traditional (7.14%) treatment methods to treat greywater. The data collected from the study further indicated that socio-demographic factors such as education level, marital status, income source, and household size significantly influenced awareness and willingness to reuse greywater. The majority of participants from Bushbuckridge municipality relied mostly on municipal water supplies, with smaller portions utilizing rainwater harvesting and purchasing water from tankers. The study concluded that, despite the growing recognition of water scarcity challenges faced by participants in the Bushbuckridge municipality, the lack of technological knowledge and support remains a significant barrier to sustainable greywater reuse. The study recommended that capacitating community members in the Bushbuckridge municipality with increased education, training, and the promotion of low-cost greywater treatment technologies is essential to enhance the adoption of these technologies. The findings reported from the analyzed data have significant implications that can contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable water resource management in rural communities of Bushbuckridge municipality. The study further necessitates the importance of the Bushbuckridge municipality in emphasizing the role of social factors and community awareness in the successful implementation of domestic greywater reuse initiatives.