WORKING TORWARDS SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT - LESOTHO
By
Vuyani Mabatuang Tshabalala,
Department of Water Affairs, PO. Box 772, Maseru, Lesotho, +266 22318048
wpc@ilesotho.com
Abstract
Lesotho had an agricultural based economy with wool, mohair and muscle power being the
major exports. Diamonds were also being exported on a smaller scale. However this trend
started changing in the late 1980’s.
Water has always been Lesotho’s major resource. Presently water is the back bone of Lesotho’s
economy. Lesotho is currently exporting to South Africa through the Lesotho Highland
Development Water Project. Lesotho through Africa Opportunities Act was able to develop an
extensive wet industrial base.
The rapid industrial development provided much needed jobs and boosted the countries GDP,
however the industrial activity posed a threat on the same resource that was fuelling them: water.
Industrial wastewater was indiscriminately discharged into water resources; this prompted the
country into action. A number of initiatives were taken; legislature formulations, recycling and
reuse measures were instituted.
This paper will highlight all the initiatives taken by Lesotho to ensure sustainable economic
development within the country with emphasis on water conservation and integrated water
resource management.
Key words: wastewater pretreatment, intergraded water resource management, water
conservation
INTRODUCTION
Water is viewed as the back bone of Lesotho’s economy. Lesotho is currently earning revenue
through the export of high quality water to South Africa through the Lesotho Highland
Development Water Project. The industrial development in Lesotho has been in the textile
manufacturing sector, this is considered as a “wet industry” due to its large water requirements.
The existing “wet” industries in Lesotho, are placing pressure on the country’s water. The wet
industries currently use a significant portion of the readily available fresh water. It is estimated
that in the Maseru area up to 20% of the water supply is utilised by industry.
Industrial activity in Lesotho can be broadly divided into: an agricultural primary sector with
wool, mohair as the major exports, a manufacturing secondary sector, comprising mainly textiles
and electronic products, and the service industry as the tertiary sector.
Government of Lesotho is actively promoting industrial development as a means of creating
employment and enhancing economic growth. Since 1980’s contributions to the economy by the
manufacturing sector has been steadily growing. There is foreign investment in this sector as a
result of Lesotho’s accreditation under the African Growth Opportunities Act of 2000,
promulgated by the USA.
The textile industry has recently expanded to include newly established denim mills, which
supply woven denim fabric to other denim textile industries within Lesotho. Both the denim mill
and the sprawling textile industries are termed wet industries due to their high water demands of
around 1200 kilo litres per day.
The high water demand textile industries are located in the lowlands of Lesotho. The lowlands
are also areas of rapidly expanding urban population, population densities are at their highest.
The high population densities and the wet industries have put a huge stress on existing water
services in the lowlands. The major challenges facing water resources in the lowlands, with
regard to industrial development especially textile industries of Lesotho are demand and
associated water resource pollution, from indiscriminate disposal of wastewater.
Industrial development in Lesotho posed major environmental issues. The industrial wastewater
and associated solid waste emanating from the textile industries posed a major water resource
management threat that could potentially affect the number of jobs in the garment industry
(Chakela 2000, Schoeman 1999).
There are two types of wastes produced by the textile industries. The wastewater resulting form
the dyeing and washing processes. There are also solid wastes produced from textile industries,
these include: pumice stones, materials off cuts, waste cotton, packaging material including
plastics.
Wastewater production per textile manufacturing industry is estimated at 960 kiloliters per day
(Schoeman, 1999, PHD, 2001). There are about six textile industries in Maseru alone. Solid
waste production is not easily quantifiable: however the one denim mill in Lesotho produces 14
00 kilograms of cotton waste per day (PHD, 2001). The textiles industries produce huge volumes
of waste both water and solid waste.
Mohokare River offered a convenient disposal site for most wastewater effluents due to its close
proximity to industrial estates. The indigo blue raw effluent posed an environmental threat to
receiving water resources both surface and groundwater resources. The solid wastes also were
indiscriminately discarded and they made their way into receiving water bodies.
The possible environmental pollution, especially water resources, both at national and regional
level cannot be over emphasized. Mohokare is an international border between Lesotho and RSA.
The management of this shared watercourse is a joint effort between the two countries. This is as
per the regional cooperation these two have signed. It was therefore important that Lesotho
enhances its wastewater management practices to secure the harmonious bilateral cooperation
these two countries have shared over the years. Also to ensure long-term survival of textile
industries in Lesotho and overall sustainable development as per Agenda 21 and other
international obligations that Lesotho is signatory to.
Working towards sustainable development
Government had to reinforce their commitment to ensuring sustainable development in the textile
industry sector. Lesotho worked towards this through integration of social, economic and
environmental factors into planning, implementation and decision-making processes.
Legislature governing water resources in Lesotho was recognised as one of the tools of
sustainable development. The legislative framework was reviewed and updated to address
existing gaps.
Water and Wastewater Services Legislative Framework
Prior to 2002 a gap was identified in existing legislature governing water resources management.
The previously existing legislative framework made provision for actions against polluters; the
level of enforcement was limited, the penalties against polluters were minimal. The small
penalties and lack of enforcement had minimised any incentive for the industries to maintain
standards and adhere to regulations.
Government of Lesotho embarked on a Policy formulation exercise. The Industrial wastewater
management policy (2002) was drafted through a consultative process involving NGO’s,
Industries, Government and other major stakeholders. Within the framework of implementation
accompanying this policy, the roles of all these different role players in the water sector are
clearly defined: these roles range from planning, implementation and decision-making processes.
Currently Lesotho has comprehensive legislative instruments governing water resources
management these are:
Water Resources Act (Act No. 22 of 1978) provides for the use, control, protection and
conservation of water resources.
Lesotho Water and Sewerage Authority Order (Order No. 29 of 1991) Empowers WASA the
bulk water supply company in Lesotho to exercise its powers and perform its duties.
Lesotho Water and Sewerage Authority Regulations (No. 173 of 1992) The regulations make
provision for entering into agreements with industries regarding the standard of wastewater
discharge. The Authority is empowered to charge a surcharge based on the characteristics of the
wastewater.
The Environment Act (No. 15 of 2001) The Act provides for the management of the environment
and all natural resources. One of the environmental principles it subscribes to is to ensure that
sustainable development is achieved through sound management of the environment. The Act
requires Environmental Impact Assessments to be undertaken and approved by the Lesotho
Environmental Authority before a licence to operate is issued.
Prior to discharge of wastewater, the industry will have to apply for a licence from the
authorities.
The Industrial Wastewater management Policy (2002) this provides for incentives to the industry
to minimise water consumption or to recycle, re-use or reclaim wastewater. The policy has a
clearly defined implementation plan with the roles of all major stakeholders clearly defined. The
policy has four
With the legislative framework in place, Lesotho was still faced with high water demands to fuel
the expanding industrial base whilst already coping with water shortages in the major urban
areas. The NGO’s, Industries and Government looked into ways of ensuring wise use of the
resource and dealing with mounting problem of waste form industries, both wastewater and solid
waste.
Efficient Water Use and Wastewater Treatment and Recycling
The long-term survival of industries relies on a reliable source of water. With the droughts of
2003, Lesotho faced major water shortages especially in the lowlands. These together with
government’s commitment to water resource conservation initiatives Industries were forced to,
consider more efficient use and improved management of water and associated catchments.
Cleaner technologies and practices, which are more efficient and less polluting, were introduced
in the industrial sector. Wastewater pre treatment facilities were establishment in two major
industries. All other adjacent factories connected their wastewater effluent to these two pre
treatment works. These wastewater pre treatment facilities have greatly improved the quality of
wastewater now discharged into Mohokare River while arrangements are under way for its
discharge into sewer treatment works.
Table 1
Impact of pre-treatment on wastewater quality
Parameter
Alkalinity mg/l
Conductivity µS/cm
pH
BOD5 mg/l
Nitrates mg/l NO3 - N
Chromium mg/l Cr6+
Ammonia mg/l NH3
Colour
(source, DWA 2005)
National Effluent
standards 1997
N/A
75 above intake
5.5 - 9.5
400
1.5
0.05
10
Pre treated
effluent
206
1582
7.43
180
0.041
0.02
0.29
0.1
Raw effluent
3000
1126
5.62
246
0.048
0.13
16
348
From Table 1 the quality of the pre treatment effluent compared to raw effluent is now well
within guideline limits.
One of the major concerns about industrial wastewater was its indigo colour that was imparting a
blue colour on the muddy waters of Mohokare. After treatment the colour has been totally
removed.
The pre-treatment facility also provided an opportunity for some of the wastewater to be reused.
The pre treated industrial wastewater is recycled back into the industrial process. It is estimated
that in the textile industries approximately 60% of the treated wastewater is recycled back into
factory process, with the remainder discharged to sewer. This has lead to reduction in water
needed by the textile industries.
As a result of wastewater pre treatment, recycling and reuse the water consumption has been
reduced while the water resources like Mohokare have been spared from eminent pollution.
However solid waste disposal remained a challenge.
Solid waste reuse
In the lowlands of Lesotho it was common to observe heaps of material off cuts and other
industrial solid waste dumped indiscriminately in and around major urban centres like Maseru,
Mafeteng and Maputsoe.
While Lesotho developed its industrial base, solid waste management became a mounting
problem. A number of initiatives were instituted to address this problem.
National Environment Secretariat coordinated a committee on Solid waste management. This
multi stakeholder committee made up of relevant government departments, civil society and the
private sector met on a regular basis to discuss and formulate national response to solid waste
management within the country.
One of the outcomes of this committee has been the designation of proposed sites for a new
Maseru city landfill. Currently a feasibility study, as per Environment Act 2001, is being
undertaken by Ministry of Local government to determine suitability of the different sites for a
sanitary landfill.
Corporate responsibility was not only limited to wastewater management initiatives, industries
made initiatives to also minimise their solid waste production. The materials off cuts, the waste
cotton are mixed with furnace oil to feed the boilers. The generated steam is being used to drive
steam irons and tumble driers back in the factory floor. This saves energy while also reducing
solid waste production.
The initiative has gone beyond government and cooperate world, Basotho society at large came
up with initiatives to make use of the solid waste from the textile industries. The material cut offs
have found many uses among the urban poor.
The larger materials off cuts are used in garment manufacture. This has lead to a number of
small-scale material hawkers who intern supply other emerging small-scale tailors. The urban
poor have found much needed jobs through this waste scavenging.
The smaller materials off cuts are used as a source of fuel for home brewing and cooking. This
has reduced pressure on trees and shrubs that ere used as a source of fuel. Over and above this
has reduced energy costs for the urban poor.
Despite these appropriate recycling initiatives to minimize these scrap material there are still
places in Maputsoe, Mafeteng, and Maseru where scrap material are still found strewn around in
villages. This poor waste management reduces the aesthetics value of most urban villages.
Government in response to this has embarked on construction of a proper sanitary landfill.
There were initiatives to raise awareness of the consequences of discharging poorly or untreated
industrial wastewater on the receiving waterways and downstream water users. These awareness
raising initiatives targeted: government, industry and civil society.
The adopted strategy as a result of these awareness raising initiatives can best be described as an
integrated and co-ordinated institutional approach with emphasis on wise use, recycling and
overall environmental management.
REFERENCE
LAWS of Lesotho. 2004. Government Printing Works
Ministry of Natural Resources. 2002. Industrial Wastewater Management Policy.
NES. 1997. Wastewater or Industrial effluent Discharge Standards for Lesotho.
PHD (Pulles Howard & Delang). 2001. Environment Project Brief for Nien Hsing Denim mill
and garment factory. For Nieng Hsing International Lesotho.
Schoeman 1999. An investigation into an integrated wastewater treatment management system
for Maseru and Thetsane estates. Project JQ63600006Q01