Case Study 17
A case study of a trans boundary water issue – example is the Lesotho Highlands Water Project
(LHWP).
*Trans boundary – an issue concerning more than one country – 2 in this case.
Some background information …
1. South Africa is a country ….. NOT a continent!! Lesotho is a small country surrounded
entirely by South Africa.
2. South Africa has around ½ as much rainfall as Britain. But rainfall is not distributed
(spread) evenly over South Africa.
3. The East coast received much more than the West, due to moist air coming in from the
Indian Ocean forming rain clouds over the highlands of eastern South Africa and Lesotho.
4. Parts of Lesotho receive 1,200 mm of rain per year, but the population is low. This means
Lesotho has too much water, and can sell excess water to parts of South Africa where
population is higher but rainfall is lower. This means residents of South Africa get a clean
and reliable supply of water.
5. Also, it means Lesotho gains an income which helps development.
6. The rainfall amount varies through the year. Parts of South Africa experience a wet and
dry season.
7. Without management, parts of South Africa would suffer water shortages.
Aims:
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To provide clean drinking water to the residents of Johannesburg in South Africa through
the construction of 6 major dams in Lesotho and the piping of water into South Africa and
to the residents who need it
Lesotho
•
85% of rainfall is Lesotho falls from October-April. The rest of the time, water is scarce
•
Temperatures are low in winter so the water can freeze – it then doesn't flow downstream
•
Lesotho is an LEDC (its GDP per capita) is US$1, 040. In the 1970s it began transporting
water to South Africa by road. When there was a drought – the government continued to send
water
South Africa
•
Central Gauteng province has 11 million people and most of the country’s industry
•
Temperatures are high and rainfall is low
•
The River Vaal is part of the Orange Drainage Basin but often runs dry
It is clear to see why both Lesotho and Gauteng Province needed a project to guarantee them a
water supply.
General facts about the scheme:
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Started in 1989, due to finish 2020 estimated cost is $8 billion – funded by loans.
4 main dams in the Highlands area.
One tunnel to transport water to Gauteng province.
Hydro-electric power plant to provide Lesotho with electricity.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Short Term Advantages and
disadvantages
+ The income received from selling water
through the LHWP is providing 75 per cent
of the country’s income.
+ The dams provide cheap HEP for
Lesotho.
+ Improved roads were constructed to gain
access to the dam sites.
+ New job opportunities have been created,
working on the construction of the project.
Long term Advantages and
Disadvantages
+ The Lesotho government is hoping that
the LHWP will help to develop the country.
This could help Lesotho develop its own
water management schemes.
– The project destroyed thousands of
hectares of grazing and arable land. Since
only 9 per cent of Lesotho is considered
arable, this could lead to huge problems in
the nation’s food supply.
Lesotho
– Local people have not had access to any
of the water supplied by the dams, as all of
the water is being piped off to South Africa.
– Many people have been displaced by the
construction of the dams and the flooding of
the reservoirs.
– About 20,000 people moved into informal
settlements to work on the dams. This has
led to a massive increase in AIDS,
prostitution and alcoholism.
+ The percentage of people with a safe
water supply in South Africa has increased.
South
Africa
– Water bills in Johannesburg went up to
fund the dam and to pay for repairs to
leaking pipes.
– If the project is completed it will affect the
rivers in Lesotho. The dams will reduce the
amount of sediment, oxygen levels and
nutrients, and even the temperature of the
water. This will have negative impacts on
people, wetland habitats and wildlife,
including many endangered species.
+ The percentage of people with a safe
water supply in South Africa will increase
further and water shortages will end.
– The project is predicted to cost US$8
billion, which is being given on loan from the
World Bank. The South African government
will eventually have to pay this money back.
Sustainable?
Yes - If in the long term the scheme provides more economic and social benefits than problems, you
could argue that it is sustainable.
No - The huge cost of the scheme, and the long-term loan repayments, make it unsustainable.
But… this does not take into account the fact that some of the water is for industrial and agricultural
use. If the water is used to create more wealth in South Africa, then this wealth could be used to
balance the loan repayments and therefore make it more sustainable.