FAOLEX Database

Lesotho - Aqualex Profiles

Framework Law

The main law applicable to water resources management, which covers all of the following areas: administration; management, conservation and use of freshwater resources; water rights; waterworks; water supply
Water Act, 2008 (No. 15 of 2008).
Date of text: 10 August 2020

Constitutional provisions

Constitution of Lesotho.
Date of text: 27 March 1993

Right to water: No provisions regarding the right to water.

Natural resources: The National Planning Board shall, among other things, prepare plans for the economic development of Lesotho, including in particular the development, conservation and use of land and other natural resources (Art. 105). Lesotho shall adopt policies designed to protect and enhance the natural and cultural environment of Lesotho and shall endeavour to assure to all citizens a sound and safe environment adequate for their health and well-being (Sect. 36).

Agriculture

Water used for irrigation, forestry and aquaculture
Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Order (No. 23 of 1986).
Date of text: 24 October 1986
Treaty on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project between the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Government of the Republic of South Africa signed at Maseru, 24 October 1986.
Date of text: 24 October 1986
Land Husbandry Act, 1969 (No. 22 of 1969).
Date of text: 23 April 1969

Water Supply and Sanitation

Provision of water services by public utilities or commercial organizations; water supply for domestic, industrial or other purposes; right to safe and clean drinking water and basic sanitation; quality of piped water; sewerage
Lesotho Electricity Authority (Amendment) Act, 2011 (No. 6 of 2011).
Date of text: 10 August 2020
LEWA (Licence Fees and Customer Levies for Water and Sewerage Services) Regulations 2013 (L.N. No. 140 of 2013).
Date of text: 21 August 2013
LEWA (Resolution of Complaints for Water and Sewerage Services) Rules 2013 (L.N. No. 102 of 2013).
Date of text: 21 August 2013

Governance

The political, social, economic and administrative systems that govern water management and conservation; good practices; good governance; decentralization; water user’s associations
Lesotho Electricity Authority (Amendment) Act, 2011 (No. 6 of 2011).
Date of text: 10 August 2020
Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Order (No. 23 of 1986).
Date of text: 24 October 1986
Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Date of text: 07 August 2000

Infrastructure

Waterworks; water supply systems; dams; hydropower systems; irrigation systems
Water Resources Regulations 1980 (L. N. No. 22 of 1980).
Date of text: 10 August 1980
Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Order (No. 23 of 1986).
Date of text: 24 October 1986
Local Government Act 1996 (No. 6 of 1997).
Date of text: 10 August 1997

Water Resources Management and Water Rights

Ownership and control of water resources; abstraction and diversion of water; allocation and quotas; riparian rights; priority of rights; free water use
Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Order (No. 23 of 1986).
Date of text: 24 October 1986
Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Date of text: 07 August 2000
Treaty on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project between the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Government of the Republic of South Africa signed at Maseru, 24 October 1986.
Date of text: 24 October 1986

Water and Environment

Water in environmentally-sensitive areas; ‘water demand’ by ecosystems; protection forests; water conservation zones; environmental impact assessment
Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Order (No. 23 of 1986).
Date of text: 24 October 1986
Environment Act 2008 (No. 10 of 2008).
Date of text: 10 August 2020

Water Quality and Pollution Control

Control of pollution and quality of freshwater bodies and groundwater; agricultural point and non-point sources of pollution; water quality standards
Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Order (No. 23 of 1986).
Date of text: 24 October 1986
Environment Act 2008 (No. 10 of 2008).
Date of text: 10 August 2020
African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (Revised version).
Date of text: 11 July 2003

Groundwater

Freshwater resources located below the surface of the earth; aquifers; groundwater abstraction; well-sinking; boreholes; hydrogeology
Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Date of text: 07 August 2000

Disaster Resilience

Water-related hazards; flood; drought; water shortage; adaptation to climate change; early warning system/emergency intervention system
Declaration of Water Emergency (L. N. No. 44 of 1980).
Date of text: 16 September 1980
Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Order (No. 23 of 1986).
Date of text: 24 October 1986
Disaster Management Act, 1997 (Act No. 2 of 1997).
Date of text: 13 May 1997

Transboundary Waters

Transboundary effects; international basin institutions; international agreements; transboundary coordination; transboundary aquifers
Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Date of text: 07 August 2000
Treaty on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project between the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Government of the Republic of South Africa signed at Maseru, 24 October 1986.
Date of text: 24 October 1986
African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (Revised version).
Date of text: 11 July 2003

Policies

National Climate Change Policy Implementation Strategy CCPIS, 2017.
Date of text: 10 August 2020
Long-Term Water and Sanitation Strategy – Vol II, Water Sector Programme.
Date of text: 01 May 2014
National Range Resources Management Policy.
Date of text: 10 August 2020
Lesotho National Action Programme in Natural Resource Management, Combating Desertification and Mitigating the Effects of Drought
Date of text: 10 August 2020
National Strategic Development Plan 2012/13 -2016/17
Date of text: 10 August 2020
Lesotho Water and Sanitation Policy.
Date of text: 01 February 2007
National Strategy on Lesotho’s Biological Diversity.
Date of text: 10 August 2020
Water Resources Management Policy.
Date of text: 10 August 1999
National Environmental Policy.
Date of text: 10 August 1998

Main basins

Orange