The Drakensberg Source of Johannesburg's Water
Johannesburg receives most of its potable water from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, via the Vaal dam. However, another significant inter-basin water transfer scheme, the Thukela-Vaal Transfer Scheme, also feeds into the Vaal.
This scheme is one of the country's great feats of engineering, featuring an underground power station at its heart, the Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme. This power station can function as the "on" switch in the event of total grid failure in South Africa.
The Thukela-Vaal Transfer Scheme is a source of grievance for many communities in the Drakensberg area, who are bypassed by the scheme's waters and must rely on rivers and boreholes for their water needs.
The Thukela River rises on Mont-Aux-Sources, a peak in the Drakensberg range that lies mostly within Lesotho, and flows eastwards down the South African side of the range.
- The Lesotho Highlands Water Project supplies most of Johannesburg's potable water.
- The Thukela-Vaal Transfer Scheme is another significant source of water for the Vaal dam.
- The Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme is a key component of the Thukela-Vaal Transfer Scheme.
Author's summary: Johannesburg's water supply has a complex source.
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