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The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has affirmed that the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Tunnel maintenance and repair work currently underway is on track for its March 2025 completion date.
The Government of National Unity (GNU) Deputy Ministers of the department Mr David Mahlobo (ANC) and Mr Sello Seitlholo (DA) visited the LHWP in Clarence, Free State in October 2024, to officially kick-off the repair and maintenance work which is scheduled for completion in March this year.
DWS says it is closely monitoring the progress of the maintenance repair work being done and is satisfied that the work is progressing well and that the work will be completed according to the planned schedule.
“The Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) is responsible for the maintenance work in South Africa, which resumed by cleaning of the rubble inside the tunnel following its dewatering, as well as the refurbishment of the 37-kilometer tunnel.
Although there is a slight delay on the maintenance work undertaken by Lesotho Highlands Development Agency (LHDA) in Lesotho, the agency is working on a catch-up plan to ensure that they are back on track to ensure that the tunnel can be opened by the end of March 2025, as per the schedule,” said Wisane Mavasa, the national Spokesperson.
According to Mavasa, the department is also satisfied with the water levels at Saulspoort Dam in the Liebenbergsvlei River which is sitting comfortably at 78.74%. This dam ensures sustainable supply of water to local municipalities of Dihlabeng, Nketoana and Mafube, which are located along the Liebenbergsvlei River.
The closure of the LHWP has not been without challenges as municipalities within the vicinity have been negatively affected by the maintenance work.
“The Department has embarked on relief intervention programmes for the municipalities which include the upgrading of water treatment works, upgrading of raw water pumps, the construction of new reservoirs as well as the development of groundwater resources by drilling and equipping boreholes.
All of these projects, implemented by the responsible municipalities, are under way and are critical in ensuring sustainable water supply to communities during the tunnel system shutdown,” said Mavasa.
“Municipalities are implementing water restrictions in their area of operation for the duration of the closure. The Department has also Gazetted water restrictions which guides water usage by farmers in the area from 1 October 2024 till 31 March 2025.
The Gazette stipulates that water users on the left bank of the Ash and the Liebenbergsvlei rivers may abstract water for agricultural purposes from 06:00 in the morning on Mondays, until 06:00 in the morning on Wednesdays on the right bank of the Ash and the Liebenbergsvlei rivers abstraction of water may be from 06:00 in the morning on Wednesdays to 06:00 in the morning of Fridays.
These restrictions are necessary to ensure that there is enough water during the closure of the tunnel.
The DWS, together with the affected municipalities, have been working tirelessly in ensuring that municipalities communicate effectively and promptly with their communities about water issues that arise and conduct public awareness campaigns to encourage responsible water usage and water conservation, particularly during the time of a tunnel closure,” he explained.
