Marshall Islands to receive over US$3m for Water Project

Latest Press Statement
26 October 2012
Marshall Islands to receive over US$3million for Water Project
PRESS RELEASE 128/12

Residents living on 15 outer atoll communities in the Republic of the Marshall Islands will soon have access to safe drinking water through a Project under the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands application for PEC funding of US$3,150,105.00 for a Potable Water Solutions for Outer Islands by Photovoltaic (PV) Reverse Osmosis (RO) System Project was approved by the Joint Committee overseeing the Fund.

A timely initiative that will aid the Marshall Islands Governments’ efforts in maintaining water supply while minimizing the effects of long, dry periods throughout the island in which communities are forced to endure long stretches of little to no rainfall.

Currently, the situation is addressed through the mobilization of volumes of drinking water to affected communities, utilizing various local vessels, a costly and time consuming exercise for the government.

The Project will see the establishment of small portable solar PV powered RO systems. These will be installed at community elementary schools in each outer atolls and will provide approximately 150 to 300 gallons of fresh potable water per day.

“We hope that the introduction of this project will increase access to an additional source of safe drinking water for Marshall Islanders during times of water crisis,” said Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat.

Mr Slade added, “This is a great initiative by the Marshall Island government and will go some way towards improving the educational environment for our young people and the communities in the outer atolls of the Marshall Islands”.

The Project will supply 0.5 to 1.0 gallon of safe drinking water per person per day for up to 600 people residing in each of the 15 atoll communities. Children will be given top priority during periods of drought, and the availability of safe drinking water will reduce the harsh impacts of the dry summer months.

The project will be implemented by the Marshall Islands Ministry of Resource & Development.

The PEC Fund is a commitment by the Government of Japan to provide ¥6.8billion (approximately US$66 million) to Forum Island Countries for the establishment of solar and desalination initiatives to address environmental challenges. The fund is administered by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

To date, the Governments of Samoa, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati,Niue and Republic of Palau have successfully accessed the PEC Fund for national renewable energy and seawater desalination projects.

ENDS.

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