Article Sidebar

Submitted
March 28, 2025
Accepted
June 29, 2025
Published
June 30, 2025
Download
Download PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 159

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: There has been abundant evidence and knowledge in the literature on the health risks of waste disposal in water. Yet, households’ perception of health risks is often regarded as erroneous and inferior, while scientific data, specifically water quality data, is viewed as superior and accurate.


Methods: Three hundred and eighty-four questionnaires were administered in four villages and analyzed using SPSS version 29.0 and Excel. Water samples were collected from the Ga-Selati River during the dry and wet seasons. Water quality assessment and MiniSASS were used to compare water quality indicators with the perceived health risks.


Results: The results show that variations exist between households’ perception of health risks and the scientific data from the laboratory, ascertained water quality indicators. Some perception statements match with laboratory data in relation to Temperature, pH, and Electrical conductivity (EC), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved oxygen (DO), Turbidity, Nitrates, Phosphorus and Bioindicators.


Conclusion: Our study highlights the need for a dialogue between households and researchers to develop new strategies to prevent the risks associated with waste disposal in water.

Keywords

Perceived risks waste management water bodies Perception Knowledge health

Article Details

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Tshegofatso Sebashe, Oladimeji Idowu Oladele, Mjabuliseni Simon C. Ngidi

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Tshegofatso Sebashe, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Tshegofatso Sebashe is currently employed as an Environmental, Health, and Safety Officer at Ithalomso Waste Management. She holds a Master of Science degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, conferred under the School of Agricultural, Earth, and Environmental Sciences.  Her research interests include water quality and quantity issues, waste management, and environmental health. 

Oladimeji Idowu Oladele, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Oladimeji Idowu Oladele is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Extension & Rural Resources Management, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus, South Africa. He has a PhD in Agricultural extension and Rural Development with several years of postdoctoral studies in Japan. His interests and activities cover empowerment through sustainable livelihoods and how the institutional linkages have impacted the livelihoods in West and Southern African countries as well as Southeast Asia. 

Mjabuliseni Simon C. Ngidi, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mjabuliseni Simon C. Ngidi is a Food and Nutrition Security expert. Mjabu serves as an Associate Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, teaching and supervising across the disciplines of Agricultural Extension, and food and nutrition security.  His current work examines how impoverished populations mitigate hunger and starvation while analyzing existing food and nutrition security policies and their impact on Diets and health outcomes. 

How to Cite
Sebashe, T., Oladele, O. I., & Ngidi, M. S. C. (2025). Health Risks of Waste Disposal in Water: Scientific Data Versus Households’ Perception in Ba-Phalaborwa Limpopo, South Africa. Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science, 4(1), 39–67. https://doi.org/10.56893/ajhes2025v04i01.04
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX

References

  1. Abubakar, I.R., Maniruzzaman, K.M., Dano, U.L., Alshihri, F.S., Alshammari, M.S., Ahmed, S.M.S., & Al-Gehlani, W.A.G. (2022). Environmental sustainability impacts of solid waste management practices in the Global South. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 1-26.
  2. Akmal, T., & Jamil, F. (2023). Assessing household’s municipal waste segregation intentions in Metropolitan Cities of Pakistan: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach. Environmental Monitoring Assessment, 195, 1-20.
  3. Alemu, M.G., & Estifanos, T.H. (2022). Assessment of attitude and perception of communities towards solid waste disposal and its implication to urban pollution, Sodo Town, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Journal of Energy Technologies and Policy, 9(7), 1-10.
  4. Akeju, K.F., & Omotoso, F. (2023). Exploring women's interests in household waste disposal and management. Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development, 6(1), 1-18.
  5. Amasuomo, E., & Baird, J. (2020). The concept of waste and waste management. Journal of Management and Sustainability, 6(4), 1-9.
  6. Aslam, S., Ali, F., Naseer, A., & Sheikh, Z. (2022). Application of material flow analysis for the assessment of current municipal solid waste management in Karachi, Pakistan. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 40(2), 185-194. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242x211000427
  7. Ayeleru, O.O., Fewster-Young, N., Gbashi, S., Akintola, A.T., Ramatsa, I.M., & Olubambi, P.A. (2023). A statistical analysis of recycling attitudes and behaviours towards municipal solid waste management: A case of the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Cleaner Waste Systems, 4, 1-10.
  8. Azodo, A.P. (2019). Knowledge and awareness implication on E-waste management among Nigerian Collegiate. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Sciences, 21(6), 1-15.
  9. Bailey, K., Basu, A., & Sharma, S. (2022). The environmental impacts of fast fashion on water quality: A systematic review. MDPI Water, 14, 1-11.
  10. Bangani, L., Kabiti, H.M., Amoo, O., Motebang, D.V.N., & Magayiyana, Z. (2023). Impacts of illegal solid waste dumping on the water quality of Mthatha. Water Practice and Technology, 18, 1-11.
  11. Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality Integrated Development Plan (2022). Reviewed Integrated Development Plan for 2022/2023-2027. [Accessed on 07January 2024], Available online: https://www.phalaborwa.gov.za/docs/idp/FINAL%202022-23%20IDP-26%20MAY%202022_060622.pdf
  12. Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality (2022). Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality: Waste Management by-laws, South Africa. Available online: https://www.phalaborwa.gov.za/documents/bylaws.php
  13. Bhat, R.A., Singh, D.V., Quadri, H., Dar, G.H., Dervash, M.A., Bhat, A.S., Unal, B.T., Ozturk, M., Hakeem, K.R., & Yousaf, B. (2022). Vulnerability of municipal solid waste: An emerging threat to aquatic ecosystems. Chemosphere, 287, 1-13.
  14. Brandt, A.A. (2017). Illegal Dumping as an Indicator for Community Social Disorganization and Crime. MSc thesis at San Jose State University, 45-50.
  15. Brown, J., & Sako, D. (2019). 100 Solutions for Climate Action in Cities. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, 14, 6-9.
  16. Bukova, M., Bondal, A., Skvortsova, O., Nikonova, O., Kholodiakov, A., Guseva, I., & Mirschel, W. (2019). Reclamation of the illegal dump for sustainable development the environment in Sverdlovo of Leningrad Oblast’, Russia. MATEC Web of Conferences, 73, 25-45.
  17. Chen, X., Pang, J., Zhang, Z., & Li, H. (2021). Sustainability Assessment of Solid Waste Management in China: A Decoupling and Decomposition Analysis. MDPI Sustainability, 6, 9268-9281.
  18. Chikowore, N. (2021). Factors influencing household waste management practices in Zimbabwe. Springer Link, 23, 386-393.
  19. Dehghani, M.H., Omrani, G.A., & Karri, R.R. (2021). Solid waste – sources, toxicity and their consequences to human health. Soft Computing Technique in Solid Waste and Wastewater Management, 10, 205-213.
  20. Department of Water and Sanitation (2023). National Water Act (36 of 1998). South Africa. https://www.dws.gov.za/iwqs/nwa/index.html
  21. Fadhullah, W., Imran, N.I., Ismail, S.N.S., Jaafar, M.H., & Abdullah, H. (2022). Household solid waste management practices and perceptions among residents in the East Coast of Malaysia. BMC Public Health, 22(10), 1-20.
  22. Fikadu, S.D., Sadore, A.A., Agafari, G.B., & Agide, F.D. (2022). Intention to comply with solid waste management practices among households in Butajira town, Southern Ethiopia using the theory of planned behaviour. PLoS ONE, 17(7), 1-15.
  23. Gangoo, V., Bauza, V., Clasen, T., & Medlicott, T. (2023). Municipal solid waste management and adverse health outcomes: A systematic Review. BMC, 18(8), 1-25.
  24. Ge, J., & Liu, B. (2022). Recovery and re-use of waste. Journal of Cleaner Production, 368, 1-40.
  25. Gherhes, V., Farcasiu, M.A., & Para, L. (2022). Environmental problems: An analysis of students’ perceptions towards selective waste collection. Frontiers, 12, 1-20.
  26. Giri, M., Behera, M.R., Behera, D., Mishra, B., & Jana, D. (2022). Water, sanitation and hygiene practices and their association with childhood diarrhea in rural households’ of Mayurbhanj District, Odisha, India. BMC, 14(10), 1-14.
  27. Gqomfa, B., Maphanga, T., & Shale, K. (2022). The impact of informal settlement on water quality of Diep River in Dunoon. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 8(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-022-00629-w
  28. Grout, L., Chambers, T., Hales, S., Prickett, M., Baker, M.G., & Wilson, N. (2023). The potential human health hazard of nitrates in drinking water: A media discourse analysis in a high-income country. Environmental Health, 22, 1-9.
  29. Gutberlet, J., Jayme de Oliveira, B., & Tremblay, C. (2020). Arts-based and participatory action research with recycling cooperatives. In: Rowell, L., Bruce, C., Shosh, J., Riel, M., editors. The Palgrave International Handbook of Action Research, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 699–715.
  30. Hameed, I., Khan, K., Waris, I., & Zainab, B. (2020). Factors influencing the sustainable consumer behaviour concerning the recycling of plastic waste. Environmental Quality Management, 32(4), 1-34.
  31. Haywood, L.K., Kapwata, T., Oelofse, S., Breetzke, G., & Wright, C.Y. (2021). Waste disposal practices in low-income settlement of South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 1-12.
  32. Islam, T.M., Huda, N., Baumber, A., Hossain, R., & Sahajwalla, H. (2021). Waste battery disposal and recycling behaviour: A study on the Australian perspective. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29, 58980-59001.
  33. Isiuku B.O., & Enyoh, C.E. (2020). Pollution and health risks assessment of nitrate and phosphate concentrations in water bodies in Southeastern, Nigeria. Environmental Advances, 12, 1-8.
  34. Ji, C., Kong, C., Mei, Z., & Li, J. (2022). A review of solid waste management. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 183, 906-922.
  35. Kala, K., Nomesh, N.B., & Sushil, P. (2020). Effects of socio-economic factors on quantity and type of municipal solid waste. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 11, 1-16.
  36. Kalonde, P.K., Chisale, A.A., Mandevu, T., Banda, P.J., Banda, A., Stanton, M.C., & Zhou, M. (2023). Determinants of household waste disposal practices and implications for practical community interventions: Lessons from Lilongwe. Environmental, Resource, Infrastructure and Sustainability, 3, 1-12.
  37. Li, P. (Ed.). (2023). Solid Waste Management - Recent Advances, New Trends and Applications. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1000359
  38. Lukhabi, D.K., Mensah, P.K., Asare, N.K., Pulumuka-kamanga, T., & Ochieng, O.K. (2023). Adapted water quality indices: Limitations and potential for water quality monitoring in Africa. MDPI Water, 15, 1-30.
  39. Luvhimbi, N., Tshitangano, T.G., Mabunda, J.T., Olaniyi, F.C., & Edokpayi, J.N. (2022). Water quality assessment and evaluation of human health risk of drinking water from source to point of use at Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province. Scientific Report, 12(6059), 1-50.
  40. Madilonga, R.T., Edokpayi, J.N., Volenzo, E.T., Durowoju, O.S., & Odiyo, J.O. (2021). Water quality assessment and evaluation of human health risk in Mutangwi River, Limpopo Province, South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6765), 1-16.
  41. Manga, V.E., Oru, T.O., & Ngwabie, M.N. (2019). Household perception and willingness to pay for improved waste management service in Mamfe, Cameroon. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 13(9), 1-11.
  42. Mann, A.G., Tam, C.C., Craig, D., & Rodrigues, L.C. (2022). The association between drinking water, turbidity and gastrointestinal illness: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 7(256), 1-9.
  43. Mopani District Municipality Report. (2023). Reviewed Integrated Development Plan 2022/2023. https://www.google.com/REVIEWED IDP 2022-2023 FINAL.pdf
  44. Nawaz, R., Nasim, I., Irfan, A., Islam, A., Naeem, A., Ghani, N., Irshad, M.A., Latif, M., Nisa, B.U., & Ullah, R. (2023). Water quality index and human health risk assessment of drinking water in selected urban areas of Mega City. Toxics, 11(7), 1-18.
  45. Ngalo, N., & Thondhlana, G. (2023). Illegal Solid-Waste Dumping in Low-Income Neighbourhood in South Africa: Prevalence and Perceptions. International Journal of Environmental Resource Public Health, 20, 1-15.
  46. Niyobuhungiro, R., & Schenck, R. (2022). Exploring community perceptions of illegal dumping in Fisantekraal using Participatory Action Research. Journal of Environmental Management, 118, 1-8.
  47. Omang, D.I., Egbe, G.J., Inah, S.A., & Bisong, J.O. (2021). Public health implication of solid waste generated by households in Bekwarra Local Government area. African Health Sciences, 21(3), 1-10.
  48. Omotayo, A.O., Omotoso, A.B., Daud, A.S., & Olagunju, K.O. (2023). What drivers’ payment for waste disposal and recycling behaviours? Empirical evidence from South Africa’s general household survey. Scientific Report, 11, 1-14.
  49. Perkumiene, D., Atalay, A., Safaa, L., & Grigiene, J. (2023). Sustainable waste management for clean and safe environments in the recreation and tourism sector: A case study of Lithuania, Turkey and Morocco. MDPI Recycling, 8(4), 1-13.
  50. Pierce, M., Laquatra, J., & Lim, V. (2020). Taking construction site waste management to the next level. Journal of Green Building, 4(4), 29-32.
  51. Rajagukguk, I.Y., & Nabilah, Y. (2021). The effect of industrial waste on the water quality of Padang River in the industrial area of Tebing Tinggi. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1122, 1-9.
  52. Rasheed, R., Rizwan, A., Javed, H., Sharif, F., Yasar, A., Tabinda, A. B., & Su, Y. (2022). Analysis of environmental sustainability of e-waste in developing countries, a case study from Pakistan. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(24), 36721-36739.
  53. Rodseth, C., Notten, P., & Blottnitz, H.V. (2020). A revised approach for estimating informally disposed domestic waste in rural versus urban South Africa and implications for waste management. South African Journal of Science, 116, 1-5.
  54. Saalidong, B.M., Aram, A.S., Otu, S., & Lartey, P.O. (2022). Examining the dynamics of the relationship between water pH and other water quality parameters in ground and surface water systems. PLoSONE, 17(1), 1-17.
  55. Saari, R., Yatim, S.R., Ahmad, R.I., Ayuni, F.S., Rasdi, N.W., Abdullah, S., Muhammad, A.Z., & Saifuddin, N.M. (2023). Knowledge, Attitude and challenges of high-rise building community towards waste segregation and recycling practice in Metropolitan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Sciences, 10, 1-12.
  56. Sakollawat, S., Surachai, N.J., Nuttiya. T., & Warajt, S. (2022). Attitudes, behaviours and information perception for waste management in community households in Kuet Chang Sub-district, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province. Social Science Journal, 12(2), 1-11.
  57. Sekgobela, S.M., & Semenya, K. (2023). Comparative study of solid waste management in GaMothapo and Seshego in Polokwane Local Municipality Limpopo Province, South Africa. Research Square, 1, 1-13.
  58. Shammi, A. T., Hassan, N., Golder, M. R., Molla, H., & Islam, S. S. (2023). Health status assessment of people adjacent to temporary waste disposal sites in Khulna city, Bangladesh. Heliyon, 9(9), e19810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19810
  59. Siddiqua, A., Hahladakis, J.N., & Al-Attiya, W.A.K. (2022). An overview of the environmental pollution and health effects associated with waste landfilling and open dumping. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 10, 1-23.
  60. Smith, E.E. (2020). Attitudes and practices of households towards waste management and recycling in Nelson Mandela Bay. Journal of Contemporary Management, 17(2), 1-28.
  61. Somani, P. (2023). Health impacts of poor solid waste management in the 21st century. Solid Waste Management - Recent Advances, New Trends and Applications. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1002812
  62. Sowa, A., & Krodkiewska, M. (2020). Impact of secondary salinisation on the structure and diversity of Oligochaete communities. Knowledge & Management Aquatic Ecosystems, 6, 1-14.
  63. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), (2022). https://www.google.com/Statistics South Africa (Stats SA)
  64. Sullivan, L. (2019). Issues in Estimating Sample Size for Confidence Intervals Estimates of Cochran’s Formula. [Online]. Date accessed: 12 January 2024 https://paragstatistics.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/sample-size.pdf
  65. Tabraiz, S., Zeeshan, M., Asif, M.B., Egwu, U., Iftekhar, S., & Sallis, P. (2023). Membrane bioreactor for wastewater treatment: fouling and abatement strategies. Membrane Technology for Sustainable Water and Energy Management, 10, 173-202.
  66. Thakur, R., & Onwubu, S.C. (2024). Household waste management behaviour amongst residents in an informal settlement in Durban, South Africa. Journal of Environmental Management, 349, 1-10.
  67. Tomita, A., Cuadros, D.F., Burns, J.K., Tanser, F., & Slotow, R. (2020). Exposure to waste sites and their impact on health: A panel and geospatial analysis of nationally representative data from South Africa, 2008-2015. The Lancet Planetary Health, 4(6), 223-234.
  68. Triassi, M., Alfano, R., Illario, M., Nardone, A., Caporale, O., & Montuori, P. (2021). Environmental pollution from illegal waste disposal and health effects “A review on the Triangle of Death”. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 4-12.
  69. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Illegal dumping prevention guidebook. Chicago, IL: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 Waste, Pesticides and Toxics Division.
  70. Venkateswaran, K., Singh, N.K., & Chander, A.M. (2023). Microbial technologies in waste management, energy generation and climate change: Implications on Earth and space. Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, 103, 833-838.
  71. Viljoen, J.M.M., Schenck, C.J., Volschenk, L., Blaauw, P.F., & Grobler, L. (2021). Household waste management practices and challenges in a rural remote town in the Hantam Municipality in the Northern Cape, South Africa. MDPI Sustainability, 13(11), 1-35.
  72. Vinti, G., Bauza, V., Clasen, T., Tudor, T., & Zurbrugg, C. (2021). Municipal solid waste management and adverse health outcomes: A systematic review. International Journal of Environment Resource and Public Health, 19(18), 1-35.
  73. Wang, J., Nketiah, E., Gai, X., Obuobi, B., Adu-Gyamfi, H., & Adjei, M. (2023). What establishes citizens’ household intention and behaviour regarding municipal solid waste separation? A case study in Jiangsu Province. Journal Cleaner Production, 423, 1-12.
  74. World Health Organization (2020). WHO Housing and Health Guidelines. World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland. https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789241550376
  75. World Health Organization (2022). Soaring e-waste affects the health of millions of children, WHO warns. https://www.who.int/news/item/15-06-2021-soaring-e-waste-affects-the-health-of-millions-of-children-who-warns
  76. Wu, L., Zhu, Y., & Zhai, J. (2022). Understanding waste management behaviour among university students in China: Environmental knowledge, personal norms and the theory of planned behaviour. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1-13.
  77. Yang, Y., & Xu, X. (2022). Municipal hazardous waste management with reverse logistics exploration. Energy Reports, 8, 4649-4660.
  78. Yi, L., Fanbin, K., Ernesto, D.R., & Santibanez, G. (2020). Dumping, waste management and ecological security: Evidence from England. Journal of Cleaner Production, 167, 1425-1437.
  79. Yoada, R.M., Chiraworah, D., & Adongo, P.B. (2022). Domestic waste disposal practice and perceptions of private sector waste management in urban Accra. BMC Public Health, 14(697), 1-10.
  80. Yuan, H., Du, W., Ma, X., Liu, J., & Li, L. (2023). Critical factors to influence the illegal dumping behaviour of construction and demolition waste: An ISM-DEMATEL analysis. Developments in the Built Environment, 14, 1-15.
  81. Ziblim, S., & Bowan, P.A. (2020). A planning framework for municipal solid waste disposal decision-making. Journal of Sustainable Development Studies, 14(1), 1-17.