Frequent water shutdowns in Honiara will soon be a thing of the past

Honiara’s water woes with the frequent shutdowns due to heavy rain and high turbidity (water) will soon be a thing of the past following the groundbreaking today of the new Kongulai water treatment plant.

Work is expected to start after today’s event.

SIWA Board member Gloria Hong speaking at the ceremony today recalled that in 2017 Solomon Islands Water Authority highlighted an urgent need for a water treatment plant for Honiara city.

“It’s been a long time coming and despite financial challenges throughout the past several years, Solomon Water continued to and still remains firm in its commitment to seeing the kongulai Water Treatment Plant project enabled. Today’s ground breaking ceremony marks the start to the largest project undertaking by Solomon Water to-date.

The water treatment plant will enable Solomon water to continue its service delivery ensuring safe, quality water for customers,” she said.

Ms Hong said upon its completion and in its operational capacity, the treatment plant will ensure that clean water is produced during high turbidity – the main cause for many unfortunate disruptions in the past.

Elmar Elbling, Unit Head Solomon Islands Pacific Country Office, Asian Development Bank speaking said when commissioned later this year, the Kongulai water treatment plant with a capacity to produce 15 million liters of treated water daily, will improve the lives of more than 140,00 people living in the greater Honiara area.

“The frequent shutdowns due to heavy rain and high turbidity (water), which impact households and businesses throughout the greater Honiara area will become a thing of the past. The project’s development partners envision a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Pacific region and the eradication of extreme poverty and hardship. The Kongulai water treatment plant supports this vision,” he said.

Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification Deputy Secretary Daniel Rove said the project would improve the quality and reliability of Honiara’s water supply.

“This is a significant milestone for Solomon Water and for the residents of Honiara,” said Mr. Gooden. “We are thrilled to be able to provide Honiara residents with clean, safe water that they can trust. This new water treatment plant will be a valuable asset for Honiara for many years to come.”

The new pumping facility will have the capacity to treat 15 megalitres of water per day using clarifiers, filtration, and disinfection. The new facility will require extensive earthworks before construction commences and will have raw and treated water pump stations. The plant will ensure that the water supplied to residents and businesses meets or exceeds international drinking water standards and World Health Organization standards for drinking water quality.

The SI$130 million project is being funded by ADB, the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility, and the European Union.

Forty percent (40) of Honiara’s water is supplied by Kongulai.

News@SBMOnline2023