Due to technical challenges, the closure of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) water transfer and delivery tunnels for maintenance has been extended by an additional three weeks.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) confirmed that the extension was due to the delays in the maintenance work experienced in the Delivery Tunnel South on the Lesotho side of the project.
Originally, the tunnel shutdown was planned to run from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.
However, the department cited a combination of unpredictable weather conditions and technical issues experienced by the implementing agent, the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency (LHDA).
“The challenges experienced include higher than anticipated seepage within the tunnel due to a change in sand blasting technique. There was a change from a manual to an automated approach of sand blasting, but high humidity affected the automated approach.
“The contractor is reported to have procured additional equipment to better manage the seepage challenge. The recovery plan was implemented to accelerate the progress of the maintenance work in Lesotho, but the delay could not be avoided,” the department’s spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa, explained.
According to Mavasa, on the South African side of the project, maintenance work being carried out by the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) is progressing according to schedule and is expected to be completed on time.
With the Vaal Dam currently at full capacity (101.51%) due to the recent above-normal rainfall experienced in most parts of the country, the department has reassured all water users that the extended tunnel closure will not affect the availability of water for the Integrated Vaal River System.
The municipalities located along the Liebenbergsvlei River in the Free State will also not be impacted by the extended tunnel closure.
“The Sol Plaatje (Saulspoort) Dam is [currently] at satisfactory levels, standing at 82.1% this week. Therefore, water can be released from the dam to assist downstream users, should the need arise.
"Saulspoort Dam will be able to provide water to the local communities of Bethlehem, Reitz and Tweeling for a period of up to nine months, which is more than the initially scheduled six months of the LHWP tunnel shutdown,” Mavasa said. – SAnews.gov.za
