LLWDP-II to sign Zone 6,7 water consultancy

The Lesotho Lowlands Water Development Project Phase II (LLWDP-II) will today sign a design review and supervision consultancy for Mafeteng (Zone 6) and Mohale’s Hoek (Zone 7).

The contract will be signed with engineering consultancy and construction company WAPCOS Limited (India) and ABK Consulting, as local sub-contractor, in Maseru, according to a statement released by the LLWDP-II and the European Union (EU).

The LLWDP is set to deliver critical infrastructure, including pump stations, intake structures, reservoirs, treatment facilities, and conveyance systems, to provide safe drinking water to Hlotse, Maputsoe, Mohale’s Hoek and Mafeteng.

The statement further stated that the project will grant access to clean water for nearly 280,000 people and improve sanitation facilities for approximately 20,400 individuals in these areas.

“The programme, supported by the European Union, from its lending institution, the European Investment Bank, and the World Bank, in partnership with the government of Lesotho, aims to implement long-term technical solutions and infrastructure to secure water resources for both domestic and industrial purposes.

“Additionally, the project will create jobs and develop skills, empowering local communities and contributing to the economic growth of Lesotho. Following the commencement of works in Zones 2 and 3 (Hlotse and Maputsoe), this initiative marks significant progress, that will see construction in the south-western parts of the country set to begin in the next 12 months.

“This consultancy will provide technical services to review and finalise the following aspects before construction begins. To undertake a design review and update the detailed designs for the transmission system, reservoirs, and pump stations for each of Zone 6 and Zone 7,” the statement noted.

It added that the consultancy will undertake a detailed design for 100 percent coverage in all the towns or communities with population over 2,500 for Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek.

Some of its tasks also include optimising existing distribution networks through refurbishment and expansion to minimise water losses (Non-Revenue Water), replacing asbestos cement (AC) pipes, and establishing water supply districts where supply can be isolated, and the inflow and outflow measured.

It will also undertake contract administration and construction supervision for all contracts.

LLWDP II) aims to improve the supply of potable water to the lowlands regions of Lesotho, covering urban, peri-urban and rural settlements with water shortages caused by unmet water demand, severe drought and climate change challenges. The project is implemented in Zones 2 and 3 (Hlotse and Maputsoe) and Zones 6 and 7 (Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek).