Water case studies

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Lesotho Highlands Water Project(water)

Background info:

Lesotho: land-locked (Republic of South Africa)

Mountainous

South Africa (Southern hemisphere)

Next to Indian Ocean

How:

Water transfer project (40% from rivers to Western parts of Lesotho)

Dams - hold back and release, HEP (6 dams)

Water transfer tunnels - North to South Africa to sell surplus

Why:

East is wet, west is dry

Reliable water supply

Irrigation, domestic use, industry

People can focus on other jobs

For:

Water available all year for agriculture, houses, industry

Surplus sold for fee

More water --> more crops --> exports

Higher output of economy--> jobs for people / can focus on sth else

Tourism and HEP from dams --> develop industry

Against:

People moved as valleys were flooded

Loss of fertile land

Lesotho dependant on South Africa --> water war

Deficit of water in East