By The Democratic Alliance (DA) will closely monitor the impact of the upcoming maintenance closure of the Lesotho Highlands Water Scheme (LHWS) on Free State residents. The Trans-Caledon Water Authority will suspend water flow to South Africa from October 2024 for a proposed six-month period to facilitate essential maintenance and construction work in Lesotho.
Many communities in the Free State rely on water from the canal, which exits into the Ash River between Clarens and Bethlehem and flows through various rivers to Gauteng. This closure is expected to significantly reduce the water supply to towns and agricultural sectors in the Free State.
A DA delegation, consisting of the DA Deputy Spokesperson for Water and Sanitation, Stephen Moore, along with Free State Legislature members Roy Jankielsohn and David Mc Kay, and Dihlabeng Councillors Irene Rugheimer and Hilton Maasdorp, recently met with residents in Clarens to discuss potential risks and conduct oversight at the Ash River Outfall.
Residents of Clarens have raised concerns over the slow progress in equipping additional boreholes and establishing the necessary infrastructure to ensure a reliable water supply during the closure. According to a reply in the National Council of Provinces, R9.7 million has been allocated for six boreholes to supplement water for Clarens and Kgubetswana.
The government is relying on seasonal rains to mitigate the impact of the closure, while also planning to release water from the Sol Plaatjie and Sterkfontein dams into the Liebenbergsvlei and Wilge Rivers over the coming months. However, the DA is concerned about potential health hazards arising from the accumulation of raw sewage in these rivers due to dysfunctional municipal sewerage systems. The water from the canal usually helps dilute the sewage, allowing it to flow away from affected towns.
The DA will actively monitor commitments made by the National Department of Water and Sanitation and municipalities to mitigate the effects of the canal closure. DA representatives in the National Assembly, NCOP, Free State Legislature, and local councils will ensure accountability and oversight throughout the process.
