A. Introduction
The Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA) informs the Urban Water and Sewerage Services (UWSS) stakeholders and the general public that, the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) has filed a Tariff Application for a review of water and sewerage services for the Financial Year 2019/20. This Application is in line with Section 24(3) of the LEA of Act 2002, as amended. WASCO holds a Composite Licence issued in terms of Section 50 of the Lesotho Electricity Authority Act no. 12 of 2002 (LEA Act), as amended.
B. The Application and Tariff drivers that WASCO cites therein:
On the 16 May 2019, WASCO submitted a Tariff adjustment Application of 8.5% on Volumetric and Standing Charges for all customer categories. WASCO further proposes an introduction of M10.00 standing charge per month for customers in Band A. The Company proposed a Revenue Requirement of M279.04 million which comprised M246.25 million for water services and M32.79 million for sewerage services.
Table 1: WASCO’s projected operating costs
| Item | Projected costs |
| Manpower | M123.85 million |
| Power | M33.96 million |
| Chemical | M10.65 million |
| Maintenance | M33.53 million |
| Transport | M15.26 million |
| Depreciation | M25 million |
C. Invitation to public hearings
In accordance with Section 24(6) of the Act, as amended the UWSS stakeholders and the general public are invited to participate at public hearing sessions, scheduled below:
Table 2: Public Hearings’ Schedule
| Date | Venue | Time |
| 08 May 2019 | Butha-Buthe: Crocodile Inn Hotel | 09:00 am |
| 09 May 2019 | Leribe, Hlotse: Mountain View Hotel | 09:00 am |
| 15 May 2019 | Mokhotlong: Mokhotlong Hotel | 09:00 am |
| 16 May 2019 | Thaba-Tseka: Mohale-oa-Masite Hotel | 09:00 am |
| 21 May 2019 | Qacha’s Nek: New Central Hotel | 09:00 am |
| 22 May 2019 | Quthing: Fuleng Guest House | 09:00 am |
| 23 May 2019 | Mohale’s Hoek: Hotel Mount Maluti | 09:00 am |
| 07 June 2019 | Maseru: Victory Hall (Mojalefa Lephole Convention Centre) | 09:00 am |
Copies of the Application can be obtained from LEWA offices in Maseru, Moposo House, Level 7. Alternatively, copies may be downloaded from the Authority’s website at www.lewa.org.ls/home. Stakeholders who are in the districts may access copies of the Application from the District Administrators’ offices as from 03 May 2019.
D. Invitation for public comments
In accordance with Section 24(6) of the Act, stakeholders and the general public are invited to make and forward their comments and inputs on the Application for consideration before LEWA makes a final determination. Interested people who wish to present their views before the LEWA Board, at public hearing meetings are requested to indicate so in writing when submitting their comments. The deadline for receiving written comments is Friday 31st May 2019 at 17:00.
Comments or enquiries may be sent to:
| The Manager | |
| Economic Regulation Department LEWA 7th Floor Moposo House, Maseru P/Bag A315 Maseru | Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] Tel: 22 312479 Fax: 22 315094 |