Lesotho Highlands Water Project Maintenance Extended Amid Positive…

The closure of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project has been extended by three weeks due to maintenance delays, primarily arising from weather challenges and technical issues. Despite this, recent heavy rains have filled dams, ensuring water availability for municipalities and local communities.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project’s closure schedule has been extended due to maintenance delays that were encountered in the Delivery Tunnel South. The closure, which was initially set from October 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, will now last an additional three weeks as announced by the Department of Water and Sanitation’s spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa.

Mavasa highlighted that these delays stem from unexpected weather conditions and technical difficulties faced by the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency (LHDA). Notably, a change in sandblasting technique to automated methods has led to increased seepage challenges exacerbated by high humidity. Consequently, the contractor is procuring additional equipment to address this issue.

Despite these delays on the Lesotho side, maintenance on the South African side is progressing as scheduled, according to the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA). Contrary to the project’s setbacks, significant recent rainfall has resulted in full dams, which alleviates concerns regarding water resource availability for the Integrated Vaal River System users.

The Vaal Dam has reached full capacity, and municipalities along the Liebenbergsvlei River are assured of adequate water resources due to satisfactory levels in the Sol Plaatjie Dam, currently at 82.1%. This enables water releases to assist local communities, including Bethlehem, Reitz, and Tweeling, for a duration of nine months, exceeding the initial six-month expectation during the LHWP tunnel shutdown.

Moreover, the South African Weather Service has issued a yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms in various regions, indicating ongoing weather challenges in the area.

In summary, the extension of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project’s tunnel closure highlights the impact of weather patterns and technical difficulties on project timelines. However, adequate rainfall has ensured sufficient water resources for affected municipalities, demonstrating resilience amid challenges. The proactive measures being implemented by the responsible authorities aim to mitigate the effects of these delays on water availability.

Original Source: www.citizen.co.za