Solomon Water to highlight challenges during upcoming Water Conference

By IAN KAUKUI

Solomon Water is looking forward to highlight some of its major challenges during the 16th Pacific Water Conference & EXPO and 9th Pacific Water Ministerial Forum in Honiara next week.

The landmark event will bring together around 300 delegates, including Pacific Ministers responsible for water and  Heads of Water service providers in the region from the 25th to 29th August 2025.

Speaking to local media in a press conference today, Solomon Water Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Carmine Piantedosi said one of their challenges is maintaining water security and the impacts of climate change on main water sources.

He explains that Infrastructure development, especially on water treatment plant, storage facility and treatment  have security issues as they  want to ensure quality water is delivered to customers.

On Climate Change, Mr. Piantedosi said  heavy rainfall, flooding and sea level rise are common challenges.

” In some cases, like in Noro, they have utility issues when the sea level rises,  or king tides for example causes their water sources to become contaminated with salt.”

” Heavy rain and flooding also results in turbidity issues in some of their water sources,” he said.

With the challenges stemmed from natural causes, Mr. Piantedosi also stressed that non- revenue water and urbanization is becoming a growing concern and challenge for the water authority.

He said aging of pipe networks and outdated treatment plant  have costed a lot of investment funding from donors and the government  to upgrade the facilities to reduce non-revenue water.

” People also come to Honiara every year, new homes built, population increases and so does the  demand for water. We can only meet the demand if we invest more in expanding our networks in our infrastructures.

“So these are some of the challenges we identified  and we are trying to address them through infrastructure development, and of course capacity building of our staff. We are looking forward to raise those issues at the conference and share with our counterparts,” CEO Piantedosi said.

SIBC News understands that the theme for this years event is, “Water and Wastewater Service for All: Connecting People, Policies and Communities for a Shared Sustainable Future,” which highlights the urgent need for regional cooperation to strengthen water and wastewater services.

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