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Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Lesotho

Transforming water into power and progress.

Client

Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA)

Project date

1986 to present

The multibillion-rand Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) is one of the largest ongoing development projects in the world and a celebrated African success story. Since its inception over 40 years ago, Zutari has contributed to feasibility studies, design, and construction supervision, helping deliver world-class infrastructure that improves livelihoods in Lesotho while supplying water to South Africa.

The opportunity

In 1986, the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa signed a treaty to harness the water resources of the Lesotho Highlands. The goal: supply water to South Africa and generate renewable hydropower for Lesotho, fostering peaceful cooperation and long-term socio-economic benefits across the region.

What we did

Working with global and local partners, our contribution is best understood across the key phases:

Phase IA (1986-1998)

  • Northern Access Road including Malibamatso Bridge (Pitseng to Katse)
    Consultant: Highlands Infrastructure Consultants (HIC)
    JV Partners: Ninham Shand; BKS; Van Wyk & Louw

  • Katse Dam (Preliminary, Detailed & Final Design; Construction Supervision)
    Consultant: Lesotho Highlands Consultants (LHC)
    JV Partners: Sogreah; Coyne et Bellier (France); Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners (UK); Ninham Shand (now Zutari); Knight Piésold; Keeve Steyn (now Hatch South Africa)

  • 45 km Katse-’Muela Transfer Tunnel (Design & Construction Supervision)
    Consultant: Lesotho Highlands Consultants (LHC)
    JV Partners: Sogreah; Coyne et Bellier (France); Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners (UK); Ninham Shand (Zutari); Knight Piésold; Keeve Steyn (Hatch South Africa)

  • Delivery Tunnel North (Caledon River to Ash River Outfall) – Design & Construction Supervision
    Consultant: Highlands Delivery Tunnel Consultants
    JV Partners: SRK Consulting (formerly Steffen, Robertson & Kirsten); Ninham Shand Inc. (now Zutari); VKE (Van Niekerk, Kleyn & Edwards, later SMEC South Africa); Keeve Steyn Inc. (later part of SSI / Royal HaskoningDHV)


Phase IB (1998-2003)

  • Mohale-Katse Interconnector (Mohale Transfer Tunnel) – Design & Construction Supervision
    Consultant: Lesotho Highlands Tunnel Partnership
    JV Partners: Consult 4 (SRK Consulting; Ninham Shand Inc. [now Zutari]; VKE; Keeve Steyn Inc.); Lahmeyer International (Germany); Mott MacDonald (UK)

  • Matsoku Weir & Transfer Tunnel
    Consultant: Matsoku Diversion Partnership
    JV Partners: Consult 4-led JV with Lescon/FMA; Contractor JV: Hochtief–Concor–Impregilo

  • Resettlement & Compensation Programmes (Mohale Dam)
    Consultant: Hunting–Consult 4 Joint Venture

  • Erosion & Sedimentation (Watershed Analysis – Environmental Studies)
    Consultant: Consult 4


Phase II Feasibility Study (2006-2008)

  • LHWP Phase II Feasibility Study (Completed 2009)
    The joint feasibility study for Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase II (work done 2006–2008; Feasibility Main Report dated Feb 2009)

  • Consultant: Consult 4 Consortium; SEED Consult
    Client: Lesotho Highlands Water Commission


Phase II (2011-Current)

  • Polihali Diversion Tunnels (Advance Infrastructure) – Design & Construction Supervision
    Consultant: Metsi a Senqu–Khubelu Consultants (MSKC) JV
    JV Partners: Includes Zutari South Africa (successor to Aurecon Africa)

  • Polihali Transfer Tunnel
    Consultant: MSKC JV

  • Polihali Major Bridges


Our work has helped navigate the technical complexity of building in mountainous terrain while ensuring environmental and social sustainability.
The Katse Dam, a towering feat of engineering, channels water from the Senqu River to South Africa, powering progress and partnership across borders.

The outcome

The project delivers immediate construction opportunities, long-term renewable energy, and sustainable socio-economic benefits. Lesotho continues to receive royalties from South Africa for the water transferred, with annual revenue set to increase as the Polihali Dam comes online, boosting supply from 780 Mm³/a to over 1 270 Mm³/a. Comprehensive social and environmental mitigation ensures the project’s benefits extend beyond engineering.

As the LHWP continues to evolve, it remains a shining example of what visionary planning, technical excellence, and regional partnership can achieve. Zutari is proud to contribute to a legacy that uplifts communities, strengthens economies, and secures vital resources for generations to come.


More than a dam or tunnel, the LHWP is a legacy of collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development that continues to transform lives across borders.

*The Aurecon Africa business has been officially renamed Zutari as at 21 July 2020.

Zutari acquired Aurecon Middle East on 20 November 2020.

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