Lesotho Highlands Water Project

?
What is this case study looking for?
A trans boundary water issue
1 of 8
Where is this located?
Lesotho = landlocked country within South Africa, mountainous area, 30000km2 with a popn of 2mil, capital = Maseru
2 of 8
What is the issue?
Uneven rainfall distribution in South Africa (East receives more than West (due to Indian Ocean), Lesotho receives 1200mm of water per year
3 of 8
How is this project managed?
Lesotho sell surplus water to South Africa, includes 6 major dams and 200km of pipes, 40% of Lesotho's water goes to Vaal free state then Johannesburg, dams provide Hydroelectric Power (HEP)
4 of 8
What are the advantages of this project for Lesotho?
More jobs, provides 70% of Lesotho's income, water for businesses (e.g. garment industry employing 50000), new roads and developed infrastructure
5 of 8
What are the advantages of this project for South Africa?
4% increase in number of people with safe water in Johannesburg, South Africa safe water 83% to 87% from 1990 to 2002
6 of 8
What are the disadvantages of this project for Lesotho?
Water shortages (only 76% access to clean water) and poor sanitation (37% of people in 2002), 20000 people relocated, 1000s of hectares of arable land lost (9% of Lesotho is arable land)
7 of 8
What are the disadvantages of this project for South Africa?
2000: 50% water lost through leaking pipe, expensive (costs $8bn USD and they still have to buy the water)
8 of 8

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Where is this located?

Back

Lesotho = landlocked country within South Africa, mountainous area, 30000km2 with a popn of 2mil, capital = Maseru

Card 3

Front

What is the issue?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How is this project managed?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What are the advantages of this project for Lesotho?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Geography resources:

See all Geography resources »See all Case Studies resources »