GP edges closer to day zero with Lesotho Highlands Water Project delays, says expert
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project will see 780 million cubic meters of water pumped into the Integrated Vaal River System per annum.
FILE: An aerial view of a dam from phase 1 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Picture: http://www.lhda.org.ls/
JOHANNESBURG - Water shortages continue to be a grim reality for many communities in Gauteng, with many taps expected to be dry this Christmas and into the New Year.
And while the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is widely seen as the silver lining for the province - delays in the completion of the multi-billion-rand project, is likely to see Joburg’s water crisis worsen in the coming months.
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project will see 780 million cubic meters of water pumped into the Integrated Vaal River System per annum.
But deadlines for the project completion continue to shift.
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Water expert and professor at Wits University Craig Sheridan says the longer the project takes to complete, the closer Joburg edges to a possible day zero.
“As far as I know that system was meant to be finished in 2018. And that’s partly why we are in a little bit of distress because DWS [Department of Water and Sanitation] is throttling water to the province because there isn’t this additional storage, and that water is for next year and the year after.”
He says Gauteng residents need to prioritise saving water this festive season.
“Everyone is struggling this Christmas, even if you have got water in your taps, please use it sparingly and spare a thought for the people in the high lying areas and give them a bit of a chance to get water.”
The deadline for the completion of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is 2028.