Fundamental objectives for river regulation highlight major issues on watershed protection measures and priority allocation of water for domestic, environmental and industrial use. This contributes to maximum satisfaction of basic water needs leading to an improved livelihood to the local community (Kenny, 2005). The security of water through improved management of water resources guarantees availability and effective distribution. This is necessary for achieving the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) such as eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, gender equity, maternal health, combating major disease and environmental sustainability (WHO, 2004). Combination of these factors results in food security, good health, poverty alleviation in urban and rural areas, economic development, rural livelihood consolidation, environmental protection and sanitation (Tue, 2004).
Arouna (2009) analysed households’ water use behaviour as a function of water availability by explicitly estimating domestic water use for both rainy and dry seasons when water is respectively in surplus and scarce. Domestic water consumption will likely increase with household size, following Keshavarzi et al., (2006) and Froukh (2001), both household size and composition affect water use, and more over household size has been found to be the most important factor affecting water consumption. In the analysis, household size and composition involve the ratio of children to adults and gender of the household head respectively. The studies recommended that managing the household size reduces the water shortage threat.
Wastage of potable water occurs in several ways especially from domestic kitchen (unnecessary running of tap in the sink), bathroom (continuous running of tap during tooth brush/shaving and long shower [also leaky faucet and toilet contributes 20-100 gallons/day]), several flushing of toilets with more than expected water to wash, laundry (less loaded laundry), home garden/lawn and car washing. In the U.S., the water consumption per home is almost 50-70 gallons/day/ person in which almost 15% of water wasted. In India, the approximate usage of water/home/day is 900 liters (approximately 240 gallons/ home/day if the home has 4 persons it would be a 60 gallons/person/ day) without any conservative method. However, with conservative method 20 gallons/home/day is good enough therefore 92% of water can be saved. Further defective plumbing in municipal, domesticated, industrial areas to reduce leaking is necessary. For example, in Delhi, India estimated losses of drinking water is from 30% to 40% (UNDP, 2010).
The ultimate goal of water conservation effort can be focused to reduce unnecessary water intake and to alter the flow to the places where physical and chemical properties of the water are encouraging to reuse. In addition, water conservation plans can be implemented by new planning, management, technology, regulatory and enforcement in water supplying systems and re-habilitate in water usage habit to individuals. The key point in water conservation plans is monitoring the water sources and reservoirs of stream flows, surface water resources and ground water levels. First, securing the drinking water from the water scarcity, over consumption, degradation, natural damage (e.g. drought, flood damage, waste of rainwater), prolonged unsustainable management and pollution sources should be delineated and avoided (UNESCO, 2012a). During drought watch and drought warning emergency situations, water supply should be reduced by 5 to 15%, respectively to the individuals. During emergency situations prohibition should be implied for watering for a landscape, golf course, lawns, gardens, nurseries, driveways, garage, parking areas, streets, sidewalks, crematories and paved ways. Besides, ban or restriction should impose to artificial waterfalls, fountains, filling of swimming pools, washing vehicles and large water usage areas such as hotels and restaurants. Water pricing and metering, water efficiency, integrated and general water supply and land use planning programs, water use regulation, assured supply law, water utility measures (e.g. water pressure management, water use audits, water accounting and loss control, information and teaching to public, replacement and promotions, recycling municipal effluent) water market, are additional source of water conservation plans (UNESCO, 2012b).
Scholars such Pollard et al., (2002) realise that apart from domestic activities, there are productive water-dependent activities that most rural households often engage with. However, what is often not mentioned are water-dependent services that are provided in rural areas. In other words, water in rural areas is not just used in productive livelihood activities, but also, some service orientated water-related business activities are also evident in rural areas. In Borakalalo village, water-dependent business services that are provided include: gardening, a car wash, a tavern, a Shisanyama and a hair salon. Furthermore, 3 of the 4 households that have expressed an interest in engaging with water related businesses have expressed interest specifically on service businesses. Potential service businesses of interest include: a crèche, a cleaning company and a Laundromat. There is evidence of interest in service providing water-related businesses more than productive water-related businesses. Henceforth, when considering the role of water in supporting rural livelihoods, it is crucial that not only productive livelihood activities be considered, but also, service providing water-related businesses should receive due attention. It appears as though rural economies are on track with the trend in the broader South African economy, in which the service sector is growing and fast becoming the biggest generator of employment (SEDA, 2012).
In the water scarce region of South Africa, where there is evidence of both physical and economic water scarcity, the coping mechanism of moving away from rain fed agriculture to irrigated agriculture is not possible for emerging farmers who have limited access to irrigation water. Poor water delivery and infrastructure are some of the economic factors that continue to give rise to limited access to water for households in Borakalalo village (Francis, 2002; Herrero et al., 2010; Molden et al., 2001; Thomas et al., 2006). With such challenges in basic water delivery and infrastructure, it is expected that irrigation schemes that allow rural farmers to dodge the challenges posed to agricultural production, by decreased rainfall, do not exist in poorest parts of Lehurutshe District in South Africa. Households in various rural villages do not have the means to compensate for a decrease in rainfall such as in the case of commercial farmers in the North West Province. In addition, poor access to water in rural regions such as Borakalalo village, due to physical and economic water scarcity, has caused households to prioritise water for domestic use, and in many instances, additional water is not available for irrigated agricultural production (Gbetibouo & Hassan, 2005).