The shutdown of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) tunnels for maintenance has been extended by three weeks due to technical setbacks.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) confirmed on Wednesday that work on the Delivery Tunnel South in Lesotho has faced delays, pushing the timeline beyond the initial schedule of October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
Officials attributed the delay to a combination of technical difficulties and unpredictable weather. The Lesotho Highlands Development Agency (LHDA), responsible for the maintenance, encountered excessive seepage inside the tunnel after switching from manual sandblasting to an automated technique. High humidity further complicated the process, prompting the contractor to acquire additional equipment to manage the issue.
Efforts to speed up the maintenance have been implemented, but the delay was unavoidable, according to DWS spokesperson Wisane Mavasa.
Meanwhile, maintenance work on the South African side, overseen by the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), is progressing as planned and is expected to be completed on time.
Despite the extended closure, water availability in the Integrated Vaal River System remains stable, with the Vaal Dam currently at full capacity (101.51%) following recent heavy rainfall. Municipalities along the Liebenbergsvlei River in the Free State will not be affected by the delay.
The Sol Plaatje (Saulspoort) Dam, which is currently at 82.1% capacity, can release water if necessary. Authorities say the dam will be able to supply water to the local communities of Bethlehem, Reitz, and Tweeling for up to nine months—well beyond the initial six-month provision planned for the LHWP maintenance period.
