## 4 Discussion
The pipeline layout, pipe diameter and installation of tanks, including the use of booster pumps to ensure that enough water pressure is delivered, can all be adjusted at the time of implementation in order to secure an optimal design and final set-up. A large number of scenarios can be constructed for different cases: multiple-use water supply for irrigation and drinking water, different irrigated areas, crop rotations, population numbers, hydrogeological settings, groundwater yields and storage, configuration of solar panels, battery and hybrid systems, pump specifications, conveyance pipe layout and size, volume of storage tanks and financial inputs and results. However, it is deemed that the examples provided for the nine case studies establish a good starting point and realistic results on the feasibility of implementation of solar-powered groundwater pumping systems. The quality of water in the sand bed river aquifers is excellent because recharge occurs directly from rainfall [62]. However, shallow groundwater quality at the sampling points is not always fit for drinking purposes. Occasionally, elevated values of \(n\) (above levels recommended for human or cattle consumption) are possibly due to activities in villages, which points out potential risks of contamination of groundwater resources in villages that do not have a sanitation system. Water quality needs to be monitored by accredited laboratories according to standards and protocols, especially for drinking water purposes, to determine any potential risks from all non-point and point pollution sources, in particular microbiological contamination. Water purification/filtration systems, likely in the form of small reverse osmosis plants, need to be installed to ensure that water quality does not pose any risk, in particular to human health. This implies increased capital and operational costs and may impact on the financial viability of the system, the market potential and especially the finance deployment mode. In the case of contaminated samples, an emergency plan for a system shutdown should be put in place. Water quality is moderately fit for agricultural water use. Filters need to be installed on the mains to ensure the longevity of drip-irrigation systems. Marginally high salinity levels are not expected to affect yields of salinity-tolerant crops, soil salinization and permeability or cause toxicity effects and major impacts on the overall ecosystem through leaching and non-point source pollution. However, salinization needs to be monitored in the long term. Lastly, solar-powered groundwater pumping systems are to be seen as an emergency intervention and as an adaptation measure to climate change to improve well-being, health, absenteeism from schools and drudgery on women and girl children associated with water collection. These systems are not meant to replace bulk water supply; however, they can be integrated with bulk water supply where possible. A major infrastructural project is under way in the area to transfer water from the Nandoni Dam in Vhembe District to Greater Giyani Municipality as bulk water supply [65]. Bulk water supply is meant to provide water on tap in households, but not necessarily water to small-scale farmers. The implementation of solar-powered groundwater pumping systems and MUS is to be seen as a \"no regret\" action because it will augment the water supply and it can provide water during periods of drought and breakdowns once the bulk water supply system has been put into operation. Such systems also offer a back-up in the event of power outages and power grid failure and are therefore a valuable source of system redundancy in resilience-building endeavors.