The Lesotho Highlands Water Project has officially shut down for maintenance as of October 1, with work set to last for six months.
This vital project involves a 38 km tunnel that channels water from Lesotho to South Africa and is a collaborative effort between the two countries.
South Africa has allocated a R300million budget for maintenance on its side, with Lesotho managing the maintenance on its end as well. The water from Lesotho flows into the Ash and Liebenbergsvlei Rivers in the Free State, which in turn supply water to Dihlabeng, Nketoana, and Mafube municipalities.
To address the impact of the closure, the Department of Water and Sanitation has engaged with affected mayors to ensure that their residents receive water supplies throughout the maintenance period.
Deputy Ministers David Mahlobo and Sello Seitlholo expressed confidence that the maintenance will be completed on schedule, allowing water to flow once again to South African residents.
The tunnel system undergoes general inspections and necessary repairs every five years to maintain the overall integrity and reliability of the infrastructure. Annually, about 700 million cubic liters of water flow from Lesotho to South Africa.
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, has already communicated with mayors from impacted municipalities, including the Executive Mayors of Thabo Mofutsanyana and Fezile Dabi, to ensure continued access to water for their communities. The maintenance is expected to wrap up by April 2025.
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