The Government of Lesotho (GoL) established the Lesotho Lowlands Water Supply Scheme Unit (LLWSSU) in 2002, under the auspices of the Office of the Commissioner of Water to address water shortages in the Lowlands and launched the Lesotho Lowlands Bulk Water Supply Scheme (LLBWSS) in 2004 to address water supply needs in the Lowlands. The LLBWSS’s objective is to address water security challenges and to improve water supplies for domestic, institutional, and industrial use in the Lowlands’ urban, peri-urban, and other demand centres (towns and clusters of villages with populations of 2,500 people and more).

Implementation of LLBWSS program has been grouped into six packages, of which two have been prioritised for the next phase of the program.  implementation of LLWSS program has been grouped into six packages.  The prioritized packages are: Project Package 4 that comprises Zones 6 and 7 (Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek) and Project Package 2 that comprises Zones 2 and 3 (Hlotse and Maputsoe).

The World Bank is financing investments in zones 2 and 3. This component is referred to as the Lesotho Lowlands Water Development Project- Phase II (LLWDP II).

Project Description and Process

LLWDP II Zones 2 and 3 namely Hlotse and Maputsoe are the primary towns situated in the north-western section of Lesotho, some 83 km and 73 km from the capital Maseru respectively. The implementation phase covers the construction of the water intake, water treatment works, transmission mains, pumping stations, reservoirs and distribution networks.

The GoL Ministry of Water appointed Digby Wells Environmental to undertake a to undertake a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) process, including an Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) and Palaeontological Impact Assessment (PIA) in support of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the LLWDP-II.

Public Participation Process

Stakeholders affected by or who are interested in the proposed project are invited to register as an I&AP to become involved in the Stakeholder Engagement Process (SEP). Notification will be done by means of letters, newpaper advertisements, site notices and telephonic communication.

Comments raised by stakeholders will assist in informed decision-making for authorities and provides information to be considered by the project team and specialists conducting studies. Please use the contact details below:

Digby Wells Environmental

Janet Mkhabela

Tel: +2711 789 9495, Fax: +2711 789 9498

Email: [email protected]

Postal Address: Private Bag X 10046, Randburg, 2125, Johannesburg South Africa

and

Lesotho Lowlands Water Development Project – Phase II

Nthame Monare

788/9 Fairview Avenue

Lower Thetsane

Maseru 100, Lesotho

Tel: +266 2232 4555

Email: [email protected]

Project No.: LLW6521