BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Derrick Manuari says Solomon Water is implementing the Munda Provincial Water Supply Project.
This project aims to provide safe and reliable pipe water for Munda Township and surrounding communities, including Helena Goldie Hospital.
He spoke about the project in response to questions raised by Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale on critical water issues faced by Helena Goldie hospital when the parliament resumed yesterday.
Minister Manuari said the project is managed by the Seawater Project Management Unit, Solomon Water Project Management Unit, while design and scoping of the works is being delivered under the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project, the UWSSSP project.
He said the project will involve the construction of two new boreholes for groundwater production and construction of a new reservoir for water storage.
Manuari added that it will also involve the rehabilitation of the existing infrastructure at the borehole site and installation of a new disinfection system to make sure that water offers quality and safe for those who are using it.
Also included is the expansion of the current distribution network to reach Helena Goldie Hospital and adjacent residential areas.
“And the work is in progress, leading to the need for drilling and testing of water source yields.
“As I’ve said, the project is part of the UWSSSP action plan for 2024-2028, with proposed program implementation in 2027.
“However, borehole testing and the sustainable yield and water quality work is scheduled to commence late this month, October, into early November, and it is expected to take approximately six weeks for this work to be done.
“This work is currently undertaken by Pacific Strata Limited, one local drilling company engaged by Seawater—Solomon Water.
“Due to the changes in the physical location of the sites for borehole and ocean, some network redesign work is being undertaken by Solomon Water, its engineering consultants, to ensure that new alignments effectively connect the boreholes, the reservoir, and the distribution system to serve the hospital and surrounding communities,” he said.
In parallel, Manuari mentioned that Solomon Water design consultants are reviewing and finalizing the borehole design specifications, while prepare to conduct follow-up community consultations and engagement sessions late this month, ahead of the borehole testing to ensure that community’s concerns and expectations are fully addressed.
Following the completion of this borehole testing, he said in regards to final network design and safeguard compliance processes, Solomon Water will move towards detailed design and tender documentation for the full construction works.
“However, I must emphasize that the actual construction phase of the Munda Water Supply Project, which includes the infrastructure to deliver clean pipe water directly to Helena Goldie Hospital, is programmed for implementation in 2027, subject to funding being secured through development partners or national budgetary support.
“So, in summary, the government through MMERE and Solomon Water remain committed to improving access to safe and sustainable water supply services across the country,” Manuari stated.
He stressed that the inclusion of Helena Goldie Hospital within the Munda Water Supply Project is a clear reflection of MMERE and Solomon Water’s commitment to strengthening water security and public health in the Western province.
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