Socio-economics of groundwater management in Limpopo, South Africa: poverty reduction potential and resource management challenges

This study reviews the socio-economics issues related to groundwater management in Limpopo province in South Africa and assesses its poverty reduction potential. It concludes that groundwater is being exploited under severe pressure and the unsustainable consumption is likely to scupper the resource. Although national initiatives for the protection of groundwater resources are being taken, the measures taken are not good enough to arrest the destruction of the resource in the region. Urgent strategic measures need to be initiated for sustainable management of groundwater; these may include re-charging groundwater aquifers, rationing water use, and developing a good coordination administrative system.