Staff Reporter
THE Water and Sewage Company (WASCO) is battling to control wastewater in Maseru hence the regular spillage of sewerage around the capital posing a threat to public health, the Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA) has said.
The deficiency in waste management policy due to rapid urbanisation and financial constraints are some of the factors which contribute to WASCO’s inability to adequately combat the wastewater problem.
LEWA states this in its quarterly newsletter of January to March 2024 publicised this week. LEWA is the regulatory body of WASCO and power utility, Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC).
WASCO is mandated to provide water and sewerage services in urban areas around the country alongside district urban councils.
WASCO is the main role player as it is solely responsible for the provision of sewerage services in urban areas.
The district urban councils ensure that environmental laws relating to pollution are adhered to, for example, the prevention of leakages. LEWA assumed powers to regulate urban water and sewerage services in the country from 2013. LEWA licences WASCO and monitors its operations to ensure the quality of services it offers and sets the company’s performance standards. LEWA appears unimpressed with WASCO.
“The provision of sewerage services in urban areas is surrounded by various challenges that prevent adherence to the Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority’s (LEWA) set Urban Water Quality of Service and Supply Standards (QoSSS) and Water and Sewage Treatment Facilities Safety Standards…” LEWA said in the report.
“Sewerage services challenges in urban areas pose a significant threat to public health, environmental sustainability and quality of life. A significant percentage of the urban residents lack access to proper sewerage facilities such as improved toilets and piped sewerage which prompts others to open defecation…..It remains the responsibility of all key players to ensure swift provision of services,” LEWA states.
“In its role, the Company (WASCO) is faced with hurdles that make it difficult and often almost impossible to provide sewerage services – despite lagging behind in the provision of this service.
“Amongst some problems that the Company faces, is an inadequate waste management policy due to rapid urbanisation, which outpaces waste management infrastructure, resulting in illegal dumping and pollution of water sources.
“Another challenge is poor town planning, which makes it difficult for the installation of sewer networks and to maintain such infrastructure. The sewerage services infrastructure needs regular maintenance for continued functionality and effectiveness. Lastly, most urban areas have poor sewage treatment facilities.”
LEWA further highlights that WASCO’s challenges of managing sewerage services in urban areas can also be seen through sewage flooding due to blocked manhole overflows, breakdowns at pump stations or sewer leaks into the streets.
“These challenges are attributed to amongst other things, limited financial resources, rapid population growth, topography, socioeconomic disparities and inadequate policies and strategies.
“A range of sewerage challenges are often observed in the urban areas in Lesotho. For these challenges to end, the need for collaboration among government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), investors and communities is inevitable for improved sewerage services and ensure the well-being of urban populations.”
