CORM - Lesotho Water Project case study

Question 1

What is the project in Lesotho?

Answer 1

• water transfer scheme
• 40% of water from the Segu River will be transported to River Vaal in South Africa
• dams, reservoirs and pipelines

Question 2

What are the advantages for Lesotho?

Answer 2

• provides 75% of Lesotho’s GDP

- sanitation coverage will increase from 15-20%

Question 3

What are the disadvantages for Lesotho?

Answer 3

• first two dams displaced 30000 people

- destruction of a unique wetland ecosystem

Question 4

What are the advantages for South Africa? (Lesotho Water Transfer Project)

Answer 4

• fresh water reduces acidity of Vaal River Reservoir

- provides water to an area with regular droughts

Question 5

What are the disadvantages for South Africa? (Lesotho Water Transfer Project)

Answer 5

• likely costs of US$4 billion

- 40% of water lost from leakages