Fatshimetrie, an online newspaper dedicated to environmental news and water issues, recently published a report on the current situation of Lesotho’s Katse Dam, the largest reservoir in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. With a storage capacity of nearly 2 billion cubic meters, the reservoir is crucial to the region’s water supply.
The article reports that at midnight on September 30, large gates were closed at two locations along the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, marking the start of a six-month maintenance shutdown, the longest in its 20-year history.
The shutdown comes amid ongoing water supply problems in the country’s upper urban region, which draws its water from the LHWP via the Vaal Dam. Johannesburg’s water supply challenges have been linked to poor management of water infrastructure by municipalities. However, some analysts have warned that the shutdown of the LHWP could exacerbate these problems.
Water management expert Carin Bosman refutes these fears. She says it is wrong to link the planned shutdown of the LHWP to Johannesburg’s water supply problems. She points out that the Vaal Dam, currently at 41% of capacity, was at 80% at the same time last year. Bosman explains that it is common for the dam level to be lower at the end of the dry season, but stresses the distinction between a meteorological drought and an institutional drought resulting from failures in water management.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has indicated that the Sterkfontein Dam, a backup reservoir for the Vaal Dam, is currently 98% full and can be used to supply the Vaal Dam if necessary. Water and sanitation expert Richard Holden points out that the Sterkfontein Dam has enough capacity to meet Johannesburg’s needs for almost two years.
However, the problem lies in the overconsumption of water in Johannesburg. Rand Water, the main water supplier in Gauteng, has exceeded its annual water distribution licence by 193 million cubic metres in 2023/2024. This raises concerns about the capacity to meet demand in the event of a drought.
In an address to the Strategic Water Partners Network in June, the Director-General of the Department of Water and Sanitation warned of the consequences of this overconsumption. He spoke of the risk of a “Day Zero” situation in Gauteng in the event of a water shortage.
It is therefore crucial to raise awareness about better water management without giving in to panic. The need for responsible water use and repair of leaks, which account for almost half of Johannesburg’s water consumption, is paramount to ensuring a sustainable water supply.
Thus, Fatshimetrie’s article highlights the complex and interconnected challenges of water management in the region, emphasizing the importance of a proactive and sustainable approach to ensuring access to water for all.