MASSIVE WATER MAINTENANCE PROJECT TO BEGIN

October is a big month for the Department of Water and Sanitation. Maintenance on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is set to begin.

It’s estimated that the maintenance will last until March 2025.

The LHWP is one of the biggest water sources for the Free State and the greater Johannesburg area. In the collaborative water supply initiative developed by both countries, water is diverted from Lesotho's highlands. The project also has a hydropower component.

Phase 1 of the LHWP was launched in 1998 and completed in 2003. The second phase is currently under construction. Once this phase is completed, it will add an additional 490 million cubic metres of water per year to South Africa.

The Department has urged “all water users who will be affected by the planned tunnel maintenance to use water sparingly during this period, to manage any unforeseen risks”.

The LHWP supplies 60% of Gauteng’s water demand as well as irrigation for commercial farms.

During a routine tunnel inspection, it was revealed that urgent, extensive maintenance is needed for the steel liners in both countries. The last maintenance was carried out in 2019.

Image credit: Africa Outlook Magazine