WASCO begins Mafeteng drought relief plan
The water company will supply tanks, drill boreholes, and dredge Rasebale Dam to secure water.
The Water and Sewage Company (WASCO) has started a drought response plan in Mafeteng, Lesotho, to address water shortages. The plan includes delivering 29 water tanks for immediate relief and drilling boreholes as a secondary water source. The company will also dredge Rasebale Dam to increase its storage capacity, a project described as a first for WASCO.
WASCO Project manager Lehlohonolo Ncheke stated the intervention aims to prevent a repeat of severe shortages seen in 2015 and 2024. WASCO CEO Lebohang Peke Makara called the dam dredging a defining moment for the company's engineering capabilities, noting Rasebale Dam has had collection problems since 2012. He also highlighted that delays have increased costs.
Natural Resources Minister Mohlomi Moleko said the dredging fulfills a 2024 commitment by Prime Minister Sam Matekane. Traditional leaders, however, warned that dredging alone is insufficient without addressing erosion in the dam's catchment area. Chief Fako Leshoro Seiso stated sand will continue to accumulate if underlying causes are not fixed.
Why it mattersMafeteng residents will receive emergency water supplies and improved long-term water security through new infrastructure.