**4. Conclusion**

Surface water will remain as an alternative source of water to meet domestic water demand mostly in rural areas of the world if potable water is not supplied on a regular basis. Wastewater effluents should be treated efficiently so as not to pose a health risk to the users of surface water resources. The major cause for the failing state of wastewater treatment facilities in South Africa as well as other developing countries includes inadequate coverage of wastewater treatment facilities in both urban and rural areas, poor operational state of wastewater infrastructure, design weaknesses, expertise, corruption, insufficient funds allocated for wastewater treatment, overloaded capacities of existing facilities, and inefficient monitoring for compliance with recommended guidelines. Enforcement of water and environmental laws must be in place to protect the environment and the health of numerous people that still depend on surface water as their major source of water supply.
