Community Perceptions of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services in Rural Communities of Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Access to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services is a fundamental human right that is essential for public health. However, rural communities often experience challenges in accessing these basic services. The main objective of this paper was to investigate the perceptions of community stakeholders in the rural Vhembe District, South Africa, regarding the status of WASH services, focusing on the availability and accessibility of water, toilet facilities, and refuse removal services, as well as potential community-driven WASH interventions that could be acceptable and feasible in the community. A qualitative exploratory approach was used to collect data from 69 stakeholders through focus group discussions, with participants selected using purposive sampling. Thematic analysis revealed that communities struggled with inadequate municipal water supply, leading to reliance on unimproved sources like rainwater, rivers and dams. Financial stable households purchased water from those with boreholes. Both ventilated and non-ventilated pit latrines were used as the primary source of sanitation. Open defecation was still prevalent due to a lack of proper toilet facilities or none. The provision of refuse removal services was also a challenge. The results revealed inadequate water supply, toilet facilities and refuse removal services, which could adversely affect public health. Addressing these issues requires collaboration among various stakeholders to improve WASH services, which is critical to enhancing the quality of life in rural communities, particularly for children under five.