TECHNOPOLICY BRIEF 16

POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL
WATER POLLUTION IN LESOTHO

Deepa Pullanikatil
Spirt Tlali
Lefa Thamae

AFRICAN TECHNOLOGY POLICY STUDIES NETWORKPublished by
The African Technology
Policy Studies Network,P.O. Box 10081, 00100 General Post Office,Nairobi, Kenya.
© 2007 African Technology
Policy Studies Network (ATPS)

Printed by
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ABOUT THE AFRICAN TECHNOLOGY POLICY STUDIES NETWORKThe African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is a multi-disciplinary
network of researchers, policy makers, actors in the private sector and other endusers interested in generating, promoting and strengthening innovative scienceand technology policies in Africa. With a regional secretariat in Nairobi, the network
operates through national chapters in 23 African countries, with an expansion plan
to cover the entire sub-Saharan Africa.
One of the objectives of the network is to disseminate research results to policy
makers, legislators, the organized private sector, civil society, mass media andfarmers’ groups through publications, dialogue and advocacy. Among its range ofpublications are the Working Paper Series (WPS), Research Paper Series (RPS),
Special Paper Series (SPS) and the Technopolicy Briefs.
Technopolicy Briefs Series are commissioned short papers written byexperts from all over the world specifically to address current science andtechnology policy concerns and questions in Africa. The briefs are also
summaries of technical papers published under our WPS, SPS and RPS
written to highlight significant policy recommendations. These briefs arewriten with the busy policymakers and non-specialists in mind. The
materials are designed for general readership and help advance theadvocacy and knowledge brokerage roles of the ATPS.
ATPS is supported by a growing number of donors including the InternationalDevelopment Research Centre (IDRC), the Carnegie Corporation of New York, theRockefeller Foundation, the World Bank, the OPEC Fund, Ford Foundation, CocaCola Eastern Africa, the African Development Bank, and the Royal Dutch Government.

Acronyms
AISI
COMESA
EAC
NICI
ICT
UNDP
UNECA
UNESCO
WB
IT
WDI
M&E
MDG

African Information Society Initiative
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
East African Community
National Information and Communication Infrastructure
Information and Communication Technology
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Commission for Africa
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
The World Bank
Information Technology
World Development Indicators
Monitoring and Evaluation
Millennium Development Goals

Table of Contents
1.0

Background

12.0

Effects of AGOA

23.0

Key Concerns

44.0

Conclusions

75.0

Policy Recommendations

86.0

References91.0
BackgroundIndustrialization in Lesotho has increased exports from the country and has
generated considerable employment for the Basotho people. A number of wetindustries, that is, those using more than 2000 cu m of water per day, have been set
up in the country, which generate large amounts of wastewater discharges. This
techno policy brief draws upon a study on water pollution by industries. The study
investigated the water quality in the industrialized areas of Lesotho and determinedthe effects of water pollution on health and livelihoods of communities in thoseareas in order to make policy recommendations.
The water samples were gathered from the waterways in the three industrialized
areas of Lesotho. The data was then analysed and compared with South African
standards, in order to know the extent of pollution. The pattern of water usage fromthe polluted waterways was also studied by use of survey questionnaires with theintention of determining the effects of water pollution on the livelihoods and healthof the communities.

Figure 1: Effluents from industries at Ha Thetsane flowing down Keleqeke stream

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2.0
Effects of AGOA
African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) was the major incentive for industrial
investment in Lesotho. A number of textile and garment industries were establishedin the country due to AGOA. Exports to the US increased from 140.3 million US$ to215 million when AGOA was introduced in 2001. Exports peaked in 2004 when it
reached $466.9 million and reduced slightly to $403.6 million in 2005 when theworldwide free trade agreement opened up the US market to Asian countries.
(Lesotho News Agency, 2005). In year 2006, exports were $408.4 million.

Figure 2: Lesotho’s AGOA exports to the US1

1

Source: AGOA.info accessed on 2 Feb 2007, 2 July 2007. Note: AGOA was introduced in 2001 inLesotho.

2○ ○ ○ ○ ○Policy Implications for Industrial Water Pollution in Lesotho
AGOA has been instrumental in creating employment in the textiles and garment
industries. According to Bureau of Statistics (Manufacturing in Lesotho, Statisticalreport, 2005) number of people employed in manufacture of textiles and clothing
increased from 13,133 in year 2000 to 31,292 in 2004. It slightly reduced to 25,422
in 2005 and was 29,538 in year 2006.
Employment in Manufacturing Sector in Lesotho
Total

40,00035,000

Textiles andGarments

30,00025,00020,000

Numbers
employed 15,000

10,0005,000
02000

20012002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Years

Figure 4: Employment in Manufacturing sector in Lesotho2

The increase in exports and employment generated is a success for the country,
however, the impacts of industrial water pollution on the water quality and community
health and livelihoods must not be overlooked and this document gives informationon this aspect.

2

Source: Bureau of Statistics, Manufacturing statistics, 2006.

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3.0
Key Concerns
Water quality was analysed in the waterways in all three industrial areas. In addition
to testing water quality both upstream and downstream of industries, a survey wasconducted with the community by means of questionnaires at the three industrialareas.
The water quality analysis and survey revealed the following key concerns:
Effects on animal and fish health
13% of community interviewed in Ha Thetsane, 19% in Mafeteng and 6% at Ha
Nyenye use the waterways under study for livestock watering. Incidences of livestockmortality were reported by the community in Ha Thetsane area. Fishing was done
only at Ha Nyenye where 13% of community interviewed do fishing activities at thewaterway under study and reported incidences of fish mortality that had occurred inthe past.
Effects on health of Communities
Community reported skin irritations when using water from the polluted waterways
downstream of industries for washing.
Effects on pattern of water usage of community
The community reported that they use the water in the waterways for various
purposes. 33% of community interviewed at Ha Thetsane, while 53% in Mafetengand 44% at Ha Nyenye uses the water for washing. Community members reported
staining of clothes when using the water from the waterways. They also reported thatlathering of soap has reduced.
25.3% of households surveyed who had previously used the waterways have stopped
using the waterways subsequent to the arrival of the industries.

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Effects on livelihoods
The people surveyed were all of lower income (less than M2000 per month) andsome of them continue using the water in the waterways under study. Others reported
that they no longer use the water for drinking and washing dishes and were forced
to buy water spending up to M30 every month taking 10 to 30 minutes to collect thewater everyday.
Effects on water qualityWater quality was tested both upstream and downstream of the industries to findout if it is indeed the industries which have caused water quality changes. Moreoverwater quality in industrialised areas was compared with water quality in control
areas in Butha Buthe and Mafeteng which had water bodies not affected byindustries. The waterways in industrialised areas downstream of industry wereindeed found to be affected and had several chemical elements which hadsignificantly increased making the water downstream unfit for domestic use,
livestock watering and irrigation.
Chemical elements such as chromium hexavalent, copper, nitrates, suspended
solids and total dissolved solids were found to have increased in waterways inindustrialised areas when compared to those not affected by industries. This may
have impacts on health of humans when coming into contact with the water, animals
drinking the water and crops irrigated by the water.
The effects of chemical elements exceeding standards for domestic use may
cause skin irritations, ulcers, impair lathering of soap, cause staining of clothes
and other effects. If water is consumed, it will have poor taste, cause kidney damage
and may have carcinogenic effects.
The effects of the chemical elements exceeding standards for use of water for
livestock may cause problems such as taste of water will be affected, diarrhoea,
liver damage, stomach irritation, nausea, decreased feed intake, lethargy as wellas toxicity from high concentrations of certain elements. When water is used for
irrigation, it may reduce crop yield and cause yellowing of leaves.

○5○ ○ ○ATPS Technopolicy Brief 16
The water quality analysis clearly indicates significant worsening ofparameters downstream of industries and in treatment samples ascompared to upstream and control water samples. This can be inferredto the effects of industrial effluents being released into the environment
and the water bodies.

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4.0Conclusions
Industrialization in Lesotho has improved the economy and created employmentfor Basotho. However, water quality in the waterways of Lesotho has been affected
negatively by industrial effluents being released into them. Community membersof lower income category living near these waterways have also been affected
negatively by the pollution and it has altered their water usage pattern as well as
livelihoods for some. Water quality analysis has found some parameters in excess
standards which may have harmful effects if used for livestock, irrigation, domestic
use and recreational use.

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5.0
Conclusions
Policy Recommendations
The recommendations arising from this study is aimed to positively solve theproblems of water quality in the country and not to ascertain blame to any institution.
The recommendations from the study are:
1. There is a need to sensitize and educate industries and affected
communities about the policy on water pollution and its implications
2. There is a need to provide alternative sources of water for communities
around the industrialized areas as a matter of urgency, e.g. building rainwater harvesting tanks. Industries may come forward to use their factoryroofs for provision of rainwater harvesting for the community living
nearby that are using the polluted waterways.
3. There is a need to incorporate waste water treatment plants at theinception of an industry.
4. Establishment of eco-industrial parks (EIP) could be investigated as anoption for cleaner production and as a result address the water pollution
in Lesotho. The benefits of EIPs which include improved environmental
performance through greener purchasing, reduced waste collection costs,
greater economies of scale and reuse of waste. EIPs have been set up in
developed countries such as Australia, Finland and Canada, as well as
developing countries such as China and India. This is possibly an areathat Lesotho can look into while planning industrial estates in the future.
5. There is a need to provide incentives to industries for their efforts forcleaner and greener production and recognition of their mitigation orpollution control measures.
6. There is a need for AGOA to integrate environmental compliance as amandatory requirement.

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References
Chakela, Q.K.(Ed) The State of the Environment in Lesotho 1997, 1999, National
Environment Secretariat, Lesotho.
Garvey, N., Newell, P., Corporate accountability to the poor? Assessing theeffectiveness of community-based strategies, Development in Practice, Volume
15, Numbers 3 & 4, 2005.
Gibbs, A., Gibbs, T., A Water Supply and Pollution Crisis in Lesotho’s Textile
Factories: The Problems of Footloose Investment, University of Natal, SouthAfrica, 2003.
Kathuria Vinish, Informal regulation of pollution in a developing country: Evidence
from India, Journal of Ecological Economics, 2006.
Lesotho Government Online, cited from SADC Today, Vol. 9, No.3, August 2006
Manufacturing in Lesotho, Statistical report, Bureau of Statistics, Lesotho, 2005
Mokuku, C., Lepono, T., Mokhothu, M., Khasipe, T., Mokuku, T., Second State of
the Environment Report, National Environmnt Secretariat, 2002, Lesotho.
National Environment Secretariat. Maseru City Environment Outlook Report for2005. 2005. National Environment Secratariat.Lesotho.
Pasco Waste & Environmental Consulting, Feasibility Study on Waste Managementin Lesotho with respect to the Textile Industries in the Thetsane Industrial
Estate, Lesotho National Development Corporation, 2005.
Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook, 1998 : towards cleaner production,
World Bank Group, 1998.
Salm, A., Grant, W.J., Green, T.J., Haycock, J.R. and Raimondo, J, Lesotho Garment
Industry Subsector Study for the Government of Lesotho DFID: London, 2002.
South African Water Quality guidelines, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry,
Volumes 1,3,4 and 5, South Africa, 1996.
The Courier, No.194, European Commission, Brussels, September- October 2002.
www.AGOA.info, accessed 12 june 2005 and 2 feb 2007.

9○ ○ ○ ○ ○ATPS Technopolicy Briefs Series
Who Benefits from the New International Intellectual Property Rights Regime? And What ShouldAfrica Do? by Ha-Joon Chang(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 1)
How Can We Constitutionalize Innovation, Technology and Intellectual Property in Kenya ? byBernard Sihanya(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 2)What Can Biotechnology Do For Africa? How Can The Associated Risks And Uncertainties BeManaged? by Norman Clark(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 3)
Who Needs Technology Policy? by Ha-Joon Chang(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 4)
Keeping Hunger at Bay: Genetic Engineering and Food Security in sub-Saharan Africa by John
Mugabe(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 5)
Science in a Globalizing World: Implications for Africa by Awele Maduemezia(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 6)
How can Science and Technology in Africa be Formulated and Implemented? by Osita Ogbu
(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 7)
How can Science and Technology Policy Aid Nigeria’s Reconstruction? by Osita Ogbu
(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 8)
Can Africa Develop without Science and Technology by Osita Ogbu
(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 9)
How can Innovation Systems and Innovative Clusters be used to Develop Africa? by Osita Ogbu
(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 10)
Science and Technology and Food Security in Africa? by ATPS/MCST(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 11)
What Danger Lies in the WTO-NAMA Negotiations for Africa? by Ha-Joon Chang(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 12)
What is sui generis System of Intellectual Property Rights? by Moni Wekesa(ATPS Technopolicy Brief 13)

Deepa Pullanikatil is a lecturerer at the Lerotholi Polytechnic in Lesotho.

For more information this series and ATPS Contact:

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