Lesotho

Question 1

What is the LHWP?

Answer 1

• Lesotho Highlands Water Plan
• Treaty between SA and Lesotho signed in 1986
• aims to reverse southerly flow of Senqu and Orange rivers, redirect to Vaal River in SA
• Waters ends up in Gauteng Industrial region of SA

Question 2

What structures are part of the LHWP?

Answer 2

• 5 dams
  -200km of pipelines
• water pumping stations

Question 3

What are the positives of the LHWP?

Answer 3

• South Africa pays Lesotho royalties for the use of its water
• This is then invested in school, roads and enhancing the local water supply
• Reducing the river flow in Lesotho reduces the risk of flooding in Lesotho river basins
• Lesotho is provided with 90MW of HEP from dams
• 7000 jobs were created by the project’s construction and maintenance

Question 4

What are the advantages of treaties?

Answer 4

• have the potential to protect smaller stakeholders concerns
• prevents unequal power relationships from existing

Question 5

What are the downsides of the LHWP?

Answer 5

• $8 bn spent on the project
• Maloti minnow is endangered, habitats are threatened by damming
• allows trout to move into their habitats
• may go extinct due to this
• Diversion of river results in ~60% drop in water flow from source
• results in river having higher concentrations of polluted discharge
• larger risk of stagnation thus eutrophication and deoxygenation of water
• 30 000 people were affected by construction work
• 325 households relocated
• 3400 ha of pastures was lost

Question 6

Why does Lesotho have so much water?

Answer 6

• Lies 1000m above sea level
• relief rainfall on landscape

Question 7

What is the economic state of Lesotho?

Answer 7

• 40% of population lives below poverty line
• > $1.25/day
• 50% rely on informal farming as opportunities are limited
• Males seek mining work in SA and send remittances back home