file under:
Water, Facilities, Middle East/Africa, Design-Build, Program Management, Federal Government, Government
Landlocked Country Builds Landmark Dam
Lesotho's Metolong Dam Water Infrastructure Program
Lesotho is an independent nation tucked inside the borders of South Africa. The southernmost landlocked country in the world, Lesotho’s high altitude gives it a rugged and majestic landscape and makes it a unique tourist destination for adventurers. Despite Lesotho’s tall mountains, it has historically suffered from water shortages, affecting the country’s vibrant textile industry and growing population.
"The Metolong Dam will not only create a much-needed water supply for Maseru and the surrounding area, but it will stimulate Lesotho’s business and economy.”
-Peter Macy, CDM Smith associate and client service manager
The estimated US$187 million Metolong Dam water infrastructure program will provide a new raw water supply for Lesotho’s capital, Maseru, and surrounding towns. The project will improve water delivery to domestic users and textile operations—preserving 48,000 jobs and creating approximately 6,000 additional jobs.
Multiple Entities Make Program Possible
The U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) funds projects aimed at reducing global poverty through the promotion of sustainable economic growth. Lesotho, one of MCC’s 25 eligible countries, has embarked on several projects within the areas of water, health and private-sector development. The Millennium Challenge Account-Lesotho (MCA-L) is the government agency charged with managing all MCC-funded projects in Lesotho, including the Metolong Dam water infrastructure program.
In addition to MCC, several other donors are financing the multi-dimensional Metolong program, including the government of Lesotho, a consortium of Arab donors, the World Bank and the South African government. Due to the number of contributors, the government of Lesotho has created a local agency—the Metolong Authority—to act as the project-implementing entity and to work with MCA-L to execute the program.
Meeting Aggressive Requirements
Scheduled for completion in September 2013, the Metolong program must be finished within a 5-year timeframe to maintain its MCC funding. Sophia Mohapi, Chief Executive Officer of MCA-L, explains that a shortage of required skills in Lesotho and the project’s stringent procurement guidelines necessitated a program manager’s involvement. Selected for the role, CDM Smith is responsible for working toward the project’s timely success. “In Lesotho, we don’t have the skills to construct a large dam, so we solicited outside help. CDM Smith is able to draw from its global experience and keep the project on track—the team is very valuable,” notes Mohapi.
According to Jack Rattray, CDM Smith senior vice president and lead practitioner for the Metolong project, “CDM Smith views meeting the program schedule as one of our most important goals. We oversee contracts; monitor designers and constructors; track costs; and when possible, identify potential delays before they happen.” Project components consist of a 73-meter roller-compacted concrete dam and multi-stage raw water intake and pump station; a 75-million-liter-per-day water treatment plant, including a raw water transmission main and high-lift pump station; a downstream conveyance system, with more than 100 kilometers of transmission pipelines; and environmental and social management. The water treatment plant is being implemented with design-build delivery, helping to expedite project completion.
Valuable Supporting Efforts
Rattray notes that strict deadlines make risk management an important program element. “We have been partnering with the Metolong Authority to identify potential factors that could cause delays, such as drought, approval bottlenecks or labor strikes. We are assisting in determining the likelihood of these events and developing mitigation plans.” Social and environmental management initiatives include cultural resources management and development, land acquisition and resettlement, and catchment management.
Advanced infrastructure for the Metolong project was scheduled to be finished prior to CDM Smith’s involvement as program manager. However, delays required that CDM Smith and the Metolong Authority take a larger role in helping to complete these efforts, including project access roads, power supply, worker housing, and a temporary water treatment facility for use prior to the main treatment plant’s operation.
Relationships Facilitate Progress
According to Peter Macy, CDM Smith associate and client service manager, the Metolong effort is complicated due to multiple donors and stakeholders. Maintaining strong relationships keeps the project moving forward. “CDM Smith is working hand-in-hand with the Metolong Authority—in fact, our offices share the same building. Our work is complementary, so open lines of communication are essential,” says Macy.
Stakeholder engagement and involvement is ongoing. An initial stakeholder input phase was conducted to secure support and ease concerns about the program. A robust team of Metolong Authority and CDM Smith representatives continue to reach out to communities to keep them abreast of project developments and address potential problems. In addition, CDM Smith regularly meets with the Lesotho Water and Sewage Authority, the government agency likely to assume operations of the treatment plant and infrastructure upon completion.
Macy is enthusiastic about the project’s potential. He emphasizes, “The country’s location—high in the mountains and surrounded by South Africa—makes it very exciting to work here. The Metolong Dam will not only create a much-needed water supply for Maseru and the surrounding area, but it will stimulate Lesotho’s business and economy.”
