Southern Africa: Lesotho Highlands Water Project Won’t Fix Gauteng’s Infrastructure and Supply Woes, Experts Warn

Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, expected to be completed in 2028, could provide Gauteng with enough water for all. But unless municipalities fix their ageing infrastructure, additional supply won’t help.

South Africa’s government expected that Gauteng’s burgeoning population would require additional water sources and the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) was its answer to prevent a possible water crisis.

The LHWP Treaty was signed in 1986, but almost 40 years later Gauteng’s…