By Phenyo Selinda
Clarens, Free State – Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, is set to conduct an oversight visit to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Tunnel on Saturday, 14 September 2024. This visit comes as the tunnel prepares for a crucial six-month shutdown starting 1 October 2024, aimed at carrying out extensive maintenance and repair works. The project, located within the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, serves as a vital component of South Africa’s water supply infrastructure, specifically impacting the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) .
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), which consists of a transfer and delivery tunnel system, is an essential part of the agreement between South Africa and Lesotho to ensure the continuous supply of water. The transfer tunnel links the Katse Dam to the Muela Power Station, while the delivery tunnel connects the Muela Dam to the Ash River Outfall Works, which services areas between Clarens and Bethlehem .
Purpose of the Shutdown
The tunnel system will undergo grit-blasting and corrosion protection for its steel-lined sections, as well as other essential repairs identified during its previous maintenance shutdown in 2019. This work is vital to ensure the infrastructure remains operational for the next few decades. Such maintenance is required at intervals of five to ten years to prevent any risk of failure, which could disrupt the transfer of approximately 780 million cubic meters of water annually from Lesotho to the Vaal River system .
Implications for Water Supply
The shutdown is expected to have significant implications for water supply to users in Free State, especially for communities and municipalities along the Liebenbergsvlei River and the IVRS. Municipalities such as Dihlabeng, Nketoana, Mafube, and surrounding areas will experience a temporary decrease in water availability . The Saulspoort Dam will be filled before the shutdown to provide backup water supply for affected communities during the maintenance period .
Government’s Engagement with Stakeholders
Minister Majodina, alongside Deputy Ministers David Mahlobo and Sello Seitllolo, will engage with local municipalities to assess their readiness for the tunnel shutdown. The Department of Water and Sanitation has already held extensive meetings with stakeholders to develop action plans, ensuring that municipalities can mitigate disruptions and continue supplying water to their communities .
This planned maintenance is critical to avoid potential future water supply crises and to ensure the longevity of South Africa’s water infrastructure.
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