Over recent months there has been much media speculation regarding ongoing water shutdowns by the Nation’s designated water utility, Solomon Water.
Over recent months there has been much media speculation regarding ongoing water shutdowns by the Nation’s designated water utility, Solomon Water.
Last week Solomon Water was again forced to turn off its Kongulai Pump Station which supplies about 40% of its customers in Honiara causing many Honiara residences to be without water for more than 48 hours. The shutdown was due to the high turbidity (silt and dirt particles in the water) experienced upstream at Kongulai water source following rain.
Solomon Water hasawarded a SBD19 million contract to French company SUEZ Consulting (SAFEGE) to carry out detailed design and contract preparation for various strategic water and waste-water projects in Honiara and the provinces.
The current adverse weather conditions has forced Solomon Water to close off its Kongulai Pump Station, which supplies about 60% of its customers in Honiara. The shutdown was due to the high turbidity (silt and dirt particles in the water) experienced from the continuous rainfall experienced over the week.
Solomon Water Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ian Gooden, said "Solomon Water action is necessary to ensure that quality and safe water is distributed to the customers. One of the reasons for the shutdown during wet weather is because Solomon Water does not have a Water Treatment Plant to filter out the dirt in the water during heavy rainfalls, therefore the only option is to shut the system until the water is safe for distribution. If we kept on producing water the disinfection process cannot kill any bacteria in the water, making it potentially unsafe for drinking. The silt will also clog up customers pipes and systems."
Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) trading as Solomon Water wishes to inform its valued customers that its maintenance teams have just completed major repairs and upgrade works on 300mm pumping main from Kongulai pum and the Ngossi borehold pump stations.