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The Cook Islands Experience Pacific Water & Waste Association Conference Sheraton – Aggie Greys Hotel – Samoa August 2017. Water in a Changing Environment. Presentation Outline. Water Programs Water supply Atolls are supplied via rainwater
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The Cook Islands Experience Pacific Water & Waste Association Conference Sheraton – Aggie Greys Hotel – Samoa August 2017 Water in a Changing Environment
Presentation Outline Water Programs • Water supply • Atolls are supplied via rainwater • Low islands are supplied via ground water and rainwater • Rarotonga is supplied via surface water • Replacing old infrastructure - Te MatoVaiProject • Climate change effects • Depleting groundwater supply in the Pa Enua (outer islands) • Sanitation Upgrade Programs (SUP) – Rarotonga/Aitutaki • Onsite wastewater treatment system upgrades • Move to reticulation
1.Water Project • Stage 1 • Ring-main construction completed • Implemented from 2014 – 2016 • A budget of NZ$32m, • 57 km of ringmaincompleted
Stage 2 – Upgrades of 10 Water Intakes • Improve access and increase storage capacity • Trunk line replacement • Water treatment • Installation of bulk water metering and connections • “user pay charges”
Outer Islands Water Projects - Project 1 - Mangaia • Climate Change effects - Reduced rainfall (surface water supply dried up) • Altemative, Ivirua cave water harvesting project
Outer Island Projects example 2 – Mauke 3.Depleting groundwater supply - Mauke June 2017, groundwater investigation found that since 2007, the groundwater has shallowed by 3.5 meters, from 12m depth. Why? • New line installed in 2008 • Decrease to population • Rainfall is unknown, gauge installed in 2017 • Climate Chance What do you we do? • Minimize pumping rate • Education – water conservation • Monitor rain gauge and the groundwater level frequently
4. Behavior • Conservation of Water Usage; reduction of water leakages and wastage • Maintenance of rainwater tanksand community water tanks; • Groundwater monitoring.
Mei Te Vai Kite Vai • Replaced Sanitation Upgrade Programe(18m) – Rarotonga/Aitutaki • Onsite upgrade projects (WMI 2011 – 2014 $4M, SUP 2017 – 2020 $TBD) • Upgraded 383 non compliant domestic systems • Investigation work for Aitutaki to be carried out
Move to reticulation for Muri lagoon – Why? • Muri is the most concentrated location for tourists visiting the Cook Islands; • Tests showed that Muri is the most polluted lagoon in Rarotonga; • Current community consultation to seek alternative options have been rejected • Options includes – ocean disposal, treatment plant, ongoing household upgrades; • Muri Community is still ‘undecided’
Comparing scenarios Dec 2015 Dec 2016
Way Forward for the Cook Islands • Establishment of SOE – Merging of water and waste water into one institution for Rarotonga • SUP remain to be the biggest challenge given budget constraint (Over $200m NZD) • Water conservation & alternative solution remain to be our challenge for the Cook Islands