Effectiveness of outcomes-based management on domestic water supply at local government level

Abstract

Effectiveness of outcomes-based management policy on water supply at local government level . The South African government introduced outcomes-based management in 2009 as an approach for implementation of the National Development Plan and government programmes. The policy facilitates achievement of government outcomes and subsequently the National Development Plan goals. One of intended outcomes of the policy is 100% of households have access to sustainable and reliable water supply by 2030. Despite some successes in the implementation of some principles of the policy, there have been water supply challenges in most municipalities threatening achievement of this outcome. This research seeks to assess and examine aspects that facilitate the South African government’s outcomes-based management policy to achieve its intended outcomes and water supply outcomes in Madibeng and Rustenburg Local Municipalities.

The research employed qualitative research strategy, comparative case study research design, purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews. Key research data sources are officials at middle and senior management from national and provincial government, the two municipalities, South African Local Government Association as well as citizens’ representatives.

The study found that managerial and technical aspects at institutional level limit the feasibility of the South African Government achieving its intended outcomes and water supply outcomes in both municipalities. Furthermore, the study found that there are inconsistencies and different challenges in implementation of the policy within and across the three government spheres and institutions and that application of the policy principles is stronger at macro level, but weaker at institutional level. Further, the study found that implementation of the aspects of outcomes-based water supply in Rustenburg is improving in comparison to Madibeng Municipality. The hindrances to achieving water supply outcomes include growing informal settlements; ageing water supply infrastructure; inadequate water services capacity and resources and poor water services monitoring and evaluation. The research concludes that the aspects that anchor 4 the policy’s success and achievement of its intended outcomes and water supply outcomes are political commitment, functional intergovernmental machinery and institutional technical capacity because the other weaknesses of the systems are centred on these three aspects.

The study is qualitative, therefore, the results cannot be generalised to other municipalities and government outcomes.

The significance of this research is that it identified critical aspects facilitating and hindering achievement of the policy with respect to water supply in two municipalities with different success rates to establish explanations that make one better than the other; thus providing knowledge that can be utilised for improving the implementation of the policy and outcomes-based water supply strategies.

Key words: outcomes-based management, performance management, water supply, service delivery

Johannesburg, August 2016