Lesotho Highlands Tunnel to close in October for scheduled maintenance
Water users of the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) will be affected when the Lesotho Highland Tunnel is closed for six months, from 1 October this year to 31 March 2025 to undergo planned maintenance.
The closure is prompted by the need for extensive maintenance and repair works in the tunnels to ensure optimal water supply. The Lesotho Highland Water Project tunnel is a Transfer Tunnel linking Katse Dam with Muela Power Station and Muela Dam, and a Delivery Tunnel linking Muela Dam with the Ash River Outfall Works between Clarens and Bethlehem system and was commissioned in January 1998.
The maintenance work will be undertaken jointly by the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency (LHDA) and Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA). The shut down will have implications of water supply to South Africa during that period. The Vaal River System as well as users along the Liebenbergsvlei river will be affected, as well as Mafube, Nketoana and Dihlabeng local municipalities in the Free State.
The Department of Water and Sanitation is currently engaging these municipalities and has put plans in place to ensure that water supply to these areas is sustained during the shutdown period. The closure will however have an effect on water availability from the rivers.
The Department would like to make all water users aware of this well in advance in order to ensure proper planning for this period. It will be of utmost importance for communities along the affected areas to use water sparingly during this period.
Enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa
Cell: 060 561 8935
E-mail: mavasaw@dws.gov.za
