Lesotho Bottle Water

Project concept

Lesotho has abundance of natural springs throughout the country. Many of these natural springs flow year round. They are fed by renewable groundwater reserves recharged by rainfall and cleaned by the natural environmental system with little or no anthropogenic influence. The waters from most of these springs are physically, chemically and biologically clean/acceptable and are sparkling, cool and refreshing.

The quality of water from these springs is largely influenced by the geology of the country and is typical Ca-Mg-HCO3 type.

Investment Opportunities

There are at least 106 springs monitored across the country and only 18 are being used commercially. This means that there are at least 88 springs that have water that can be bottled and sold both locally and internationally. The springs yield varies with the highest being 8.57 litres per second. Since bottled water is a food product internationally an investment in water bottling would have the benefit of creating a positive impact on public health in the region by providing safe drinking water for areas with poor water supply.

Location

The 106 springs monitored are in all the ten districts.

Products

Bottled water: Spring water and mineral water etc

Production Capacity
 

Parameter	Range
Average (l/s)	0.03 – 3.99
Minimum Yield (l/s)	0.01 – 1.68
Maximum Yield (l/s)	0.05 – 8.47
Total Dissolved Solids TDS (mg/l)	16 – 451
Electrical Conductivity (µS/ cm)	28 – 897
pH	5.03 – 11.30
Total hardness (CaCO3)mg/l	3 - 350
Calcium (Ca) mg/l	2 - 200
Alkalinity (CaCO3)mg/l	12 - 310
Fluoride (F) mg/l	0 – 2.20
Nitrates (NO3) mg/l	0 – 32.6
Potassium (K) mg/l	0 - 83
Chloride (Cl) mg/l	0 - 15
Iron (Fe) mg/l	0.001 – 3.30

Markets

Lesotho, South Africa, EU and USA

Project Type

Resource based

Estimated Project Cost

N/A

Collaboration Sought

Joint Ventures
New projects

Contacts

Lesotho National Development Corporation 
Private Bag A96, Maseru 100, Lesotho
Tel: (266) 2231-2012, Fax: (266)2231-0038
www.lndc.org.ls
Email: ce@lndc.org.ls

Ministry of Natural Resources
Department of Water Affairs

Tel: 22323698
Fax: (+266) 22310520