Solomon Water and Partners to Construct SBD 130m Water Treatment Plant

Solomon Water and its partners held a ground-breaking ceremony to start constructing the Kongulai Water Treatment Plant project.

The project cost SBD 150-million which will provide clean water to 40-percent of Honiara city.  

In his remarks, Deputy Secretary within the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification,  Daniel Rove described the project as a milestone achievement for the country.

“This project is also a testament to our commitment to providing safe water for a healthy nation, this will be the largest and most complex facility built by Solomon Water, it will significantly improve the continuity and quality of our water supply to Honiara residents and businesses without interruption.

“The Kongulai water treatment plant is a vital infrastructure that will provide uninterrupted water supply which is crucial for the games and for the significant number of people that will be arriving from the provinces and overseas,” he said.

The  project is expected to provide employment opportunities for locals.

Mr Rove said the joint venture will also train staff of Solomon water who will oversee the operation and maintenance of the project.

Solomon Water Board of Director Gloria Hong said the treatment plant will provide clean water during high turbidity.

She said the responsibility now is to ensure that the infrastructure is well looked after and maintained. 

“The water source serves forty percent of Honiara residents. The health and well being of all of us living here depends on this water source. We asked for the assets and water source to be protected and treated with respect.”

Mrs Hong acknowledged the government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Union, World Bank and landowners for their support towards the project.

ADB Solomon Islands Country Office Unit Head Elmar Elbling said universal and equitable access to safe water and improved sanitation underpins the health of the nation and an essential element of economic growth. 

“The demand for safe water in the urban areas of Solomon Islands is increasing rapidly considering the high population growth, substantial investment is and will be required to ensure the population has access to safe and reliable water and also to replace aging and inadequate water supply infrastructure,” he said.

The Kongulai Water Treatment Plant is a facility under the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation project supported by the World Bank, ADB and the Global Environment Facility. 

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By Sharon Nanau