Abstract:
South Africa is a water scarce country, the 30th driest in the world. Certain parts of the
country have been experiencing severe droughts since 2015. The study titled: An
assessment of domestic greywater reuse: A case study of Ga-Thoka village in
Polokwane Local Municipality, South Africa, aimed to assess domestic greywater reuse
in Ga-Thoka village. Objectives of the study were to identify sources of freshwater and
the nature of potable water supply, analyse the quality of greywater from selected
households, establish the potential of greywater reuse by the households, and to
determine the awareness and perceptions of the households on reuse of greywater.
Data collection methods used to collect primary data included questionnaires, field
observations and the key informant interview. Secondary data was also collected for the
study. Greywater samples were collected from selected households in the village. The
collected greywater samples (93) were taken to CDM water laboratories for the analysis
of greywater quality. The analysis revealed the presence of metals such as copper and
sulphates. The study found that 85% of the respondents said they always have
freshwater available and it was discovered that 51% of the respondents get freshwater
from their home taps. Ninety-two percent (92%) of the households generate greywater.
Sixty-eight percent (68%) of the respondents do not have knowledge about greywater
importance. The Pearson Chi Square test revealed association between factors
investigated (socio-economic characteristics, water scarcity and awareness) and the
willingness to reuse greywater by the respondents. It was concluded that Ga-Thoka
village households reuse their greywater mostly for irrigation. The study recommends
that the households should reuse their greywater on other different activities that do not
strictly require freshwater.
