An assessment of domestic greywater reuse : a case study of Ga-Thoka Village in Polokwane Local Municipality, South Africa

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.