MASERU - The Lesotho Lowlands Water Development Phase II (LLWDP II) has pledged to provide adequate portable water to communities that will be affected by the multi-million maloti project. The water will among others be used for irrigation purposes and other household reasons, the LLWDP has shown.

LLWDP II’s Environmental Specialist Nthame Monare said the system will include a river intake structure, source protection measures to protect the local environment, and reduce the effects of flooding, a water treatment plant, transmission lines, reservoirs, and auxiliary facilities.

Apart from that, she said the project will focus on supporting water supply infrastructure investments to address the water security challenges in water demand in Zone 2 and 3 of the lowlands, comprising Maputsoe, Hlotse, and surrounding settlements.

Ms. Monare said this will be achieved by increasing availability, reliability, and access to water for domestic and industrial purposes, thus supporting economic development, public health, and improving the area’s resilience to climate change impacts such as prolonged drought.

The development objective of the second phase of the Lowlands water development project for Lesotho is to increase the availability of water and access to improved water supply services.

A councilor from Qalakheng in Mohale’s Hoek, ’Malibuseng Chefa said they are happy with the project because it is going to improve the standard of their lives through the provision of clean drinking water. She said the project comes at the right time now than ever before since clean water is essential for hand-washing and disinfecting, to

"The availability of clean drinking water will help eradicate social ills such as diarrhea caused by drinking contaminated water, poor sanitation and unsafe hygiene"

prevent the spread of diseases like COVID-19.