Review of community-based water resource management for sustainable livelihood

The foundation of community-based water resource management lies in the agreement that community members, who directly benefit from the water resources, will make efforts to ensure the resources' sustainability by assuming responsibility for their management, operation, and maintenance.This review outlines the community-based initiatives adopted by rural communities in South Africa to independently manage their water resources, to ensure the long-term provision of high-quality water for household consumption.The review findings indicate that community water infrastructure is managed through the protection of the resources from damage, response to disruptions in water supply, restrictions on water usage, and the implementation of water-use regulations by community-level water structures.These water management practices have the potential to either magnify or diminish the effects of climate change on water resources, while also fostering community engagement and control over water resources.The main argument of this review is that local communities have the power to independently manage their water resources by reaching a consensus on certain limitations and rules.This approach ensures the long-term viability of water resources, food security and healthcare.