The Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA) has noted with concern a high number of consumers failing to keep the minimum safety standards while building their houses near electricity and water infrastructure.
This non-observance is often referred to as encroachment on the regulated utilities infrastructure servitudes. Most of these customers realise the seriousness of the danger of encroachment while applying for a service connection. It is important to emphasise that service connection request would be declined for safety concerns.
In the case of an unfortunate incident, which may result from the regulated utilities’ infrastructure malfunction and cause any danger where there is encroachment, the Authority’s power is limited to hold the licensee accountable for damages or injuries incurred.
Safety standards are mostly compromised in the electricity sector since most customers build structures under the Lesotho Electricity Company’s (LEC) power lines.
The wayleave width is measured from the centre line outwards to either side of the power line.
In the UWSS subsector, stakeholders should observe servitudes built as triangular concrete painted in blue colour, representing water. In the water sector, the common breach of safety standards is when customers build over water or sewer main pipes, or extend the boundary wall.
Despite safety measures, the regulated utilities are unable to undertake planned and unplanned maintenance works on the encroached infrastructure. Stakeholders are strongly encouraged to avoid buying sites without having consulted LEC and WASCO for verification of the servitudes.
