GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO

Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO)

Greater Maseru Water Supply Feasibility Study & Preliminary Design

Environmental Assessments

January, 2016

Purpose

To identify and outline policy, legal and administrative environmental requirements for the project;

To provide a preliminary analysis of environmental issues and impacts to be anticipated during the implementation of the proposed project;

To provide environmental baseline for scoping of further environmental studies to be undertaken;

Legal and Other Environmental RequirementsConstitution of Lesotho, 1993 (Article 17, Section 36) - requires that policies be adopted to protect the natural and cultural environment, to assure all citizens a safe environment adequate for health and wellbeing.

Environment Act of 2008: Part V - Outlines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Audits and

Monitoring requirements First Schedule attached thereto provide list of projects for which an EIA is

required and this project is specified under section 4 (d) of the Schedule - “Dam, rivers and water resources including pipelines and water reticulation systems”.

EIA Guidelines for Lesotho – EIA ProcessConcept Discussion

with DoE

Screening of Project

DoE Issues an EIA licence

DoE Request Project Brief DoE Request EIA

DoE Request ToR for EIA

ToR Considered

Undertake EIA

EIA Considered DoE

EIA Approved EIA Rejected

Developer Appeals

EIA Approved Appeal Rejected

DoE Rejects Project

Developer Appeals

Appeals Accepted

Project considered for PB/EIA

Appeal Rejected

Other related lawsLand Act, (No.8 of 2010);Water Act, (No. 15 of 2008);Local Government Act (1997);Road Traffic Act (No.8 of 1981);Public Health Order (No.12 of 1970);Explosives Proclamation 41 of 1958;Public Health Order (No.12 of 1970);Labour Code Order (No. 24 of 1992);Labour Code (Amendment) Act 2006; andAnti-Trafficking in Persons Act, 2011.

Recommendation of Department of Environment

Full EIA studies to undertaken for the project

Environmental BaselineProvides pre-project environmental conditions for scoping of issues to be considered in EIA studies.

Geological, Geomorphological – Middle Caledon Valley. Part of the Maloti Mountain foothills, of the western Lesotho. Mostly Elliot sandstone formation or the red beds and the Molteno sandstone formation. Soils – have sandy loam surface and clay loam sub-surface horizons.Topographic baseline - Consists of undulating hills, steep slopes, depressions, gully and stream crossings. Climate - Sub-humid with about 85% of the precipitation occurring in the summer and autumn seasons from October to March. The annual precipitation ranges from 440mm to 900mm. The winter and spring seasons are dry but light rain can be expected.Climate Change - Play a fundamental role in shaping natural ecosystems, and the human economies and cultures of communities including water supply for economic activities. Vegetation and Biodiversity - The lowlands zone has the highest density of human population and the vegetation cover which has been highly disturbed through intensive land use activities. There is generally great diversity of plant species despite anthropogenic disturbances.Cultural Heritage - Within Maseru Region significant plant fossils were identified near Masianokeng on the Molteno beds.

Positive Environmental ImpactsImproves health situation of communities to be served under the project, improves economy through expansion of water based industry.The reduction in diarrheal diseases incidences could be reduced as a result of improving health conditions.Reduction in infant and child mortality rate,Removal of Water Tanks at Household level and Saving Space of water tanks.Reduction of CO2 gas emission from Diesel pumps

Positive Environmental ImpactsConversation and Prevention of contaminations of the existed water course, stream, spring, especially lower catchment areasPreventing groundwater contaminations and conservation of groundwater aquiferImproved water supply can have a significant social benefit for various industries and encourage additional investments and economic growth. Improved water supply provides comfort and improves general welfare of the population

Positive Environmental ImpactsWomen and to some extent children are often responsible for the daily household chores including collection of water, cleaning. These routine household chores get affected significantly by the quantity and quality of water availableThe Project will contribute to improvement of gender in the provision of services by targeting and encouraging the participation of women in the project implementation and operation phasesGender Equality, Women and Girls have more leisure time, Girls have benefited from investments by more enrollment education system

Positive Environmental ImpactsSocial

There is global consensus and evidence that the poor gain directly from improved access to basic water and sanitation services through improved health, averted health care costs andincreased productivity and time saved

Negative Environmental ImpactsNegative - Visual impact of water tanks, destruction of sensitive habitat,Social disruption by influx of migrant labour, trafficking in humans, health and safety of workers, gender inequality, accidents due to traffic congestion, management of hazardous material including hydrocarbon and chlorine gas, general and hazardous waste management.Potential conflict & vandalism if pipelines pass villages, communities that have no drinking water

Consideration of AlternativesRouting alternative - considerations of alternative linear routes .Location alternatives - consideration of alternative locations which are geographically separate.Process alternatives - considers technology and equipment alternatives Scheduling alternatives - entails scheduling or programming certain activities at different times to minimise specific impactsNo-go option - no-action alternative

Environmental Management PlanKey Element of the EMP – to include setting mitigation objective, target and assigning responsibilities.

Mitigation Plans should include: Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Compensation Plan Noise, Vibration, and Ambient Light Management Plan Emergency Response Plan Transportation and Traffic Management Plan Water Pollution Management Plan Vegetation Management Plan including Rehabilitation Plan

Environmental Management Plan Cont’Archaeological and Heritage Resources Management Plan Environmental Monitoring Management PlanCampsite Establishment PlanHealth and Safety including HIV and AIDS and TIP

Management Plan Labour Recruitment Plan Gender Equity PlanHazardous Material Handling and Disposal PlanWaste Management PlanBlasting and Excavation Management Plan

Terms of Reference for EIADescription of the existing biophysical and social environment in the project areas;Description, in detail, of the methods used for conducting the environmental and social assessment;Conducting public participation process with stakeholders as required by the Environment Act 2008; Identification, analyses and evaluation of the potential positive/negative environment and social impacts of the proposed developments;Developing preventive, mitigation, optimisation and/or compensation measures for the potential environmental and social impacts, including environmental abatements specification/measures to be incorporated into detailed design; andPreparation of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) describing the programme for implementing the mitigation measures and the environmental monitoring during construction and operation of the Greater Maseru Supply Project.

Requirements for the Lead EIA Consultant

In accordance the Environment Act 2008, full EIA studies are to be coordinated by an expert whose name and qualification the Director of the Department of Environment (DoE);DoE prepared minimum for Lead EIA Consultant which include the following qualifications:

Degree in environmental related studies (Ph.D, M.Sc, Hons and B.Sc) and Minimum of 3 years of professional experience;

Degree and short courses or diploma in environmental related studies and Minimum of 5 years of professional experience;

Diploma in environmental related studies and Minimum of 6 years of professional experience.