Extension of Lesotho Highlands Water Project Tunnel Closure Due to Maintenance Delays
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project’s tunnel closure has been extended for three weeks due to maintenance delays caused by technical challenges, including excessive seepage. Despite this, the water department confirms that users in the Integrated Vaal River System will continue to receive adequate water supply owing to favorable conditions in local dams.
The water and sanitation department has announced a three-week extension of the closure for the tunnels associated with the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), which is attributed to maintenance delays. The completion date for the release of water will be confirmed following the conclusion of the necessary maintenance work.
Originally, the tunnel closure was slated from October 1 to March 31. However, unforeseen challenges, including climate variations and technical difficulties faced by the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency, have led to the delay. The spokesperson for the department, Wisane Mavasa, highlighted that excessive seepage due to a shift in sand blasting methods has significantly contributed to these challenges.
The transition from manual to automated sandblasting techniques was hindered by unexpected humidity levels affecting efficiency. Mavasa indicated that the contractor has obtained additional equipment to manage these seepage issues, and a recovery plan is in place to expedite maintenance, even though the delays remain unavoidable.
In South Africa, maintenance undertaken by the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority is sticking to its original timeline and is anticipated to conclude as planned. Given that the Vaal Dam is currently at full capacity (101.51%) due to recent beneficial rainfall, the department reassured users that the three-week tunnel closure would not disrupt water availability for Integrated Vaal River System users.
Mavasa assured that municipalities near the Liebenbergsvlei River in the Free State would not experience water shortages during the extended tunnel closure, as the Sol Plaatjie (Saulspoort) Dam’s levels remain safe at 82.1%. He confirmed that water can be released from this dam to support downstream communities as needed, and it will have the capacity to supply areas such as Bethlehem, Reitz, and Tweeling for up to nine months, surpassing the originally estimated six months of the LHWP tunnel closure.
The three-week extension of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project tunnel closure stems from unexpected maintenance delays. Despite these challenges, the availability of water for local users remains secure, thanks to sufficient dam levels and strategic resource management. The maintenance work continues with the intention of minimizing user impact, reinforcing the commitment to water supply resilience during this period.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
