MASERU TO KISS WATER SHORTAGE GOOD BYE

The city of Maseru and its peri- urban areas will kiss water shortages goodbye by the end of this year after the completion of phase 1 of the Maseru Peri -Urban Water Supply Project. This was said by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), Mr Khotso Letsatsi in response to water shortage experienced by Maseru citizens that included that of last week when most areas ran short of water.

Public Relations Officer Letsatsi  said the shortage of water last week  was caused by electricity failure, which took most of the week, saying that contributed in stoppage in pumping of water to the reservoirs. Mr. Letsatsi said the authority was on Friday recovering from the effect of electricity cut, saying normal supply of water in all areas can be expected during the course of this week.

Mr. Letsatsi indicated that the completion of the Maseru Peri Urban Water Supply project will enhance the extension of the existing water system network for the provision of a safe and reliable water supply in peri- urban areas and the city of Maseru. He said this include the extension of the water supply pipe network, increasing the existing pumping facilities from the Maseru water treatment plant and reinforcing the existing storage reservoirs.

The PRO showed that the total length of water reticulation is 379 of pipelines of different diameters, with an estimated 15, 000 yard connections,serving an estimated population of 73, 266.He said Phase I consists of a new pumping station at the Maseru Water Treatment plant to feed the Lesotho Sun Reservoirs. He added that the project will relief the pressure on the existing pumping station and will provide sufficient water for the areas served by the Lesotho Sun, mainly in the south areas of Maseru. He  stated that the project will also have a big stand-by generator, which will automatically take over when electricity fails.

18 October, 2002