Lesotho Highlands Water Tunnel maintenance ‘won’t impact domestic supply’
The Department of Water and Sanitation says water transfer will be augmented to offset any possible shortfalls as the Lesotho Highlands Water Tunnel prepares for maintenance.
The department’s director-general, Sean Phillips, briefed the media on the planned maintenance on Friday.
He said proactive measures have been taken, including risk analysis in May, to ensure water supply stability for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Domestic users won't be significantly affected, while licensed irrigators along the Liebenbergsvlei River will receive notices for water extraction restrictions.
“This work is expected to protect the infrastructure for another 20-30 years,” Phillips said.
“This much-needed maintenance is critical to maintaining the integrity of the delivery tunnels as a tunnel failure will risk the transfer of the 780 million m3/annum of water to the Integrated Vaal River System, from which Rand Water draws water to supply its customers.”
Phillips said the department would continue to urge all water users affected by the planned tunnel maintenance to use water sparingly during this period to manage any unforeseen risks.
A water restrictions notice will be issued.
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