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MWH FIJI WATER SECURITY PROJECT Final Report

2013

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Introduction -Water for Life ................................................................................................................ 3

The Situation ........................................................................................................................................ 4

The Challenges and the Response ............................................................................................... 5

Methodology - Resilience through Empowerment ...................................................................... 6

Village Infrastructure Improvements – Simple, Life-changing Solutions ........................ 10

Implementation and Results: Village by Village .................................................................. 10

Navotua Village ........................................................................................................................... 11

Matacawalevu Village ............................................................................................................... 12

Vuake Village ................................................................................................................................ 13

Nacula Village............................................................................................................................... 14

Naisisili Village ............................................................................................................................ 14

Enedala Settlement .................................................................................................................... 15

Blue Schools’ Project - The Next Generation of Rainwater Harvesters ........................ 16

Ratu Meli Memorial School, Nacula Village, Yasawa Islands ..................................... 17

Navunisea Primary School, Silana Village, Dawasamu ................................................ 19

Dawasamu Secondary School, Dawasamu District ....................................................... 21

Cumulative Project Impact .......................................................................................................... 23

How the funds were spent ........................................................................................................... 24

Impact by Project Phase ............................................................................................................... 25

Project Phase 1 ............................................................................................................................ 25

Project Phase 2 ............................................................................................................................ 25

Project Phase 3 ............................................................................................................................ 26

Conclusion -Water for the Future ................................................................................................... 27

Next Steps – Expanding Our Impact .............................................................................................. 30

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Introduction -Water for Life

In 2013 MWH Global and The Global Vision International Charitable Trust formulated a partnership with the goal of addressing the water security issues that many people in Fiji’s rural and remote communities face on a daily basis. The MWH Water Security Project was designed around the idea of creating ‘WAI NI BULA’ – water for life. The overall goals of the project were to improve access to and awareness surrounding, safe drinking water in both remote communities and schools. MWH allocated 10,000 New Zealand Dollars for the improvement of water security in areas of Fiji suffering from a lack of consistent and reliable water sources. Global Vision International was responsible for implementing and designing the project operations around the MWH Fiji Water Security Project goals and objectives over a 12 month period.

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Figure 2- A basic rainwater harvesting system installed in Vuake Village

The Situation In the Northern Yasawa Island chain access to safe drinking water is limited. These volcanic islands have limited natural water catchment due to the porous nature of the bedrock. Many villages rely upon a number of different water sources by utilizing seasonal wells, boreholes, and rainwater collection. Water shortages in the northern Yasawas are exasperated and become critical during, what can be, a six month dry season, May-October. During periods of drought, the Fiji government has in the past, been required to send drinking water to the islands via barge after wells and water tanks have run dry. The collection of rainwater as a source of drinking water is practiced by villages throughout the Yasawa Island chain and throughout the Republic of Fiji. It is a safe and reliable way to source drinking water. However, without sufficient collection capacity, appropriate materials, long term water management plans, system upkeep, filtration, and a system of water reserves, villages become particularly vulnerable to severe water shortages, especially during the dry season.

A proactive approach

‘Water is always a major problem in the Western Division during the dry season. A proactive approach is being taken so people do not suffer during the dry season.’ Commissioner Western Commander Mr. Joeli Cawaki

Figure 1 - Villagers help unload a water tank between boats

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The Challenges and the Response The MWH Water Security project was designed to offer long term simple and sustainable solutions to village water problems and shortages. The main challenges to water security in the Yasawas can be summarized as the following:

Lack of reliable water sources due to poor natural water catchment and porous volcanic bedrock

Extended dry season is experienced in the Yasawa region which has historically lasted up to 6 months

Poor upkeep of existing water infrastructure and lack of income to fund new infrastructure

There’s remote islands have few transport options capable of carrying drinking water during emergencies and historically the government has been required to mobilize government barges from Suva to help ferry water to the northern region of the Yasawas

Poor management and awareness of water conservation Basic Objectives of the MWH Water Security Project

Through infrastructure repairs and new installations provide an increased water capacity of at least 40,000 Litres of drinking water.

Improve access to drinking water for at least two communities Assist two Schools to Achieve ‘Blue School’ status recognition by the

International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance. Ensure impact of the program and improved access to fresh water,

sanitation, health and Education impacts at least 400 School children

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Methodology - Resilience through Empowerment

EXAMPLE WATER SECURITY ASSESSMENT (Data Collection Methodology) The primary objectives are as follows:

1) Visually inspect all existing water systems (tank lid, guttering, note water level, check filter, note any leaks or damage)

2) Document the condition of each system 3) Document parts needed 4) Document components used on the system – ie

o Village: Naisisilli o House #57 o New System o 1x 5200 litre tank, 4 lengths guttering, 4 guttering connectors, 8

brackets, 2x stop ends, 1 x filter system with tap and all connections

Assessment Methods

The first stage of this project required detailed assessments of existing water infrastructure across five islands and over ten communities. Through the collection of data and through consultation with village leadership a database of information was compiled. From this information the MWH/GVI team made informed decisions on how to deploy the project, where to focus efforts, how to best utilize the budget, and what materials would be required.

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o Status: Collecting water o Condition: Filter changed – 1x filter used o GPS point: XXXXXXX o Photo Number: img_12345

5) Photograph each system and ensure you have a way of connecting the photo to

your notes 6) Place a GPS point on all new systems and pre-existing systems (new meaning

tank and all components were installed by historical GVI Water Security programs)

7) Village map – one volunteer can be responsible for drafting a basic map of the village, locating the water sources and other notable structures – church, school, etc.

Assessment Roles The team must be methodical in its approach to the work as it will be easy to double up on information, assess the same tank twice etc. Recommended role split is as follows:

1) Photographer, documenting each tank and referring it to the data collected either by the order of the photos or from the photo’s image number on the SD card

2) Data Scribe – responsible for writing down all the data on each system and ensuring that all required information has been recorded at each work site. Also responsible for geo tagging tanks with GPS.

3) Assessor – this team member will assess the system and provide the data for the scribe. Assessor may need to climb up on roof to check guttering, will need to open filters, look inside tanks, interview villagers on the system etc.

4) Cartographer- This member of staff will move freely around the village and create a map of the manage landmarks, assets, water sources in the village. The mapping of all villages should be simple and functional

5) Repairs – This person will work with the assessor to carry out on the spot repairs / improvements such as filter change, gutter cleans, guttering repairs etc. Repairs should bring basic tools and replacement materials to the field and must ensure than any work carried out or new materials used are documented by the Scribe.

6) Village Liaison Surveyor- this person will be responsible for interviewing locals and collecting data through conversation. The information can either be written down or recorded with an audio recording device. The idea is to ask questions, collect quotes, note requests/problems, and learn more about the village and its current challenges through conversation. Some of the types of questions that should be asked and info recorded could include the following:

a) What is the current situation with water in the village? b) How are the systems working?

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c) What is the current main source of drinking water? d) Has the program made a difference? e) What vegetables are grown in the village? f) Fishing practices? (if marine team participate they can handle marine

related enquiries) g) Do the villagers lock the tanks taps in preparation for dry season?

Figure 3 Examples of visual and geographic data collected during assessment phase

Analysis After the above assessments were completed. The team complied the data into a database for assessment. Village population was used as the defining factor in determining how much water holding capacity should be available to sustain the community during dry season. By comparing the population to the existing availability of water and capacity for storing water, the project managers were able to calculate and compare the capacity deficits between villages. From this it was made clear which villages were most vulnerable to water shortages and how much added water capacity would be needed to reduce water shortages throughout the

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year. Finally, the team analyzed the state of existing infrastructure to determine where repairs where needed and which villages should be prioritized to receive complete rainwater harvesting systems. The project managers then looked at the cost of materials and the budget available in order to plan the most effective way to utilize the project budget and maximize impact. Construction The methodology for construction and repair of rainwater systems was developed in reference to basic standards for collecting rainwater for the purpose of human consumption. The rainwater harvesting systems are kept as simple as possible using locally sourced construction materials and water tanks. Local and international volunteers were trained to identify appropriate roofs for water catchment, to identify ways of improving and repairing existing systems, and the optimal methods for installing diversion guttering (bracket spacing and gutter pitch, etc). Logistics for the transport of materials from the mainland to the Yasawas was arranged by barge and materials were deployed to the villages via long boat from the GVI base. A Participatory Approach All stages of the project in the villages were designed with a specific focus on engaging local communities in the process of assessment and construction. Every village project was supported by village youths to ensure that the methodology for assessment, awareness of challenges to water quality, requirements for safe upkeep of the systems, and the most efficient way to construct the systems were passed on to the village stakeholders. Over the period of the 12 month MWH Water Security project our team interviewed and worked alongside over 200 local volunteers who participated in the processes involved with a project designed to make permanent improvements to health and livelihood. Over this period the interaction between Project managers, international volunteers and local villagers ensure that a variety of perspectives were involved in this process and most importantly ensured that local communities received training on how to safely collect and store drinking water through the harvesting of rainwater.

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Village Infrastructure Improvements – Simple, Life-changing Solutions

Working across six villages in the Nacula District, the MWH team carried out multiple surveys in early 2013 that assessed the existing water infrastructure of these villages and recorded detailed specifics on available water sources. This Audit was used to inform the initial priority areas of the MWH water security project and support was focused towards villages where either water sources were unreliable or water holding capacity limited.

Implementation and Results: Village by Village Each of the following project sites were identified as high risk areas for water contamination issues and water shortages. After assessing over ten villages in the Northern Yasawa Region the villages depicted on the map were deemed the most vulnerable to water security risks. The summaries below describe the specific challenges facing each village and the steps that were taken to ensure sufficient drinking water is accessible throughout the year.

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Navotua Village Located on the northern coast of Nacula Island, Navotua is one of the most isolated villages on Nacula Island and is home to 100 villagers. This community has limited sources of income and limited transport options. In 2012 Navotua Village was severely damaged by the high winds associated with Cyclone Evan. As well as damage to buildings there was widespread damage to village water infrastructure. Based on the project assessment, Navotua was found to have a severe deficit when it came the drinking water required to safely support the village population. Prior to the MWH project , approximately 100 people of Navotua depended on two 20,000L concrete tanks fed by rainwater for their drinking water. In addition- two houses in the village have their own tanks that only their families’ use. The village has 8 taps that supply water for cooking, washing and bathing. These taps are fed by a 40,000L tank, which in turn, is fed by a nearby spring. There are also four wells, one that can be pumped into a reserve 20,000L tank that can feed the taps in the village if the 40,000L tank is empty. The three other wells are used for washing, bathing and to water crops. Before the MWH project began, the village had been required to ration drinking water by opening the two existing drinking water tanks every Wednesday and allowing people to fill as many containers as they feel is necessary to last throughout the week. However, one 20,000L tank was damaged, leaving the village with only one 20,000L tank. During the dry seasons the village allows the taps fed by the spring to be opened every second Friday so people may collect their cooking and washing water for the week. When the MWH/GVI team began consultation with the village, it was confirmed that the village would need a minimum of a further 10,000 litres of drinking water to meet their basic drinking water needs and ensure enough storage is available for the dry season. The MWH project funded and installed three complete 5,300 Litre Rainwater Harvesting systems and improved the catchment and reliability of an existing 10,000 litre system. The villagers of Navotua were involved with the construction of the systems and trained in the proper upkeep of the catchment. In the months following the project, there have been no reported water shortages in Navotua Village.

Navotua Village

Total New Capacity Added: 15,900 Litres

Existing Capacity Made Available: 10,000 Litres

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Matacawalevu Village Matacawalevu village depended on pumped borehole water for many years. The water quality changes drastically throughout the year and frequently it is brackish and undrinkable. Due to the availability of this unreliable water source, Matacawalevu has historically been the least proactive village in the region when it comes to utilizing rainwater harvesting as a source of drinking water. With ongoing reports of tadpoles, sediment, and salt in the water the borehole has become less and less reliable. After assessing the situation that the village’s population of over 100 people has been facing, GVI and MWH approved the installation of three complete 5,300 litre rain water harvesting systems that would be placed at key points throughout the village to ensure that all homes had access to one of the tanks.

Figure 4- Apisai and Selema (Chief of Matacawalevu Village)

Matacawlevu Village

Total New Capacity Added in Navotua Village: 15,900 Litres

“The spring does not always give us enough water to use for drinking and cooking. The rainwater tanks you have provided will really help us!.” Selema Natovi, Chief of Matacawalevu Village

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Vuake Village Vuake Village has been one of the main major focal points of the MWH water security project. This is due to the inadequate mixture of water sources that the village relies upon throughout the year and the relatively large population of around 250 villagers. Vuaki village initially had 14 tanks which collect approximately 122,200 liters of rainwater. In addition, the village has two tanks with a combined approximate capacity of 50,000 litres; these collect water from the bore hole behind the village which feeds a number of taps throughout the community. The members of the village use the rainwater for drinking water and the water from the taps for cooking, washing and bathing. During the assessment phase the main pipe line connecting the two collection tanks to the bore hole water source was found to be damaged beyond repair. As a result the limited amount of drinking water from the rainwater tanks was being used for cooking and cleaning. In order to ensure greater water security and protect the drinking water capacity MWH funds were used to repair and improve over 60,000 litres worth of water collection capacity through a variety of improvements to guttering, tanks, roofing, and diversion piping. New PVC pipe were dug in and installed to reconnect the village to the bore hole water source. Major guttering repairs and catchment improvements were made to various large rainwater harvesting systems which utilize large cement tanks built in the 1980’s. These repairs rendered the systems more efficient, maximizing the amount of water captured and extending the life of the existing plastic tanks by ensuring tanks are installed on solid and level bases. In addition to the repair to existing infrastructure a further three complete rainwater harvesting systems were funded and installed by the project. This included two 5,300 litre systems and one large 10,000 litre system. The complete overhaul of the water infrastructure and installation of further catchment capacity in Vuake village has drastically and permanently changed the water security profile of this village.

Vuake Village

Total New Capacity Added in Navotua Village: 20,600 Litres

Existing capacity made available through efficiency improvements and repairs: 60,000 Litres

“Before MWH and GVI brought the water tanks people relied on a spring which is dammed behind the village for drinking water. But with heavy rain, the spring gets muddy and the drinking water gets dirty so it is much safer to get drinking water from the rainwater tanks.” Meli Rainima –Matacawalevu Village Headman

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Nacula Village The largest village in the Nacula Tikina, Nacula relies heavily on rainwater for drinking water. The existing systems in the village have come from a number of sources and were in various states of disrepair. The MWH/GVI team focused on encouraging members of the village youth and various village groups to take part in the assessment of the tanks and work with the water team to flag issues with catchment area, tank cleanliness, leaks, guttering damage, and overall collection efficiency. By the end of phase three the collection efficiency was drastically improved across seven of the villages key rainwater harvesting systems and an estimated 50,000 litres of holding capacity was made available.

Naisisili Village Naisisili Village on the eastern coast of Nacula Island depends almost entirely on rainwater for drinking. In 2013, GVI carried out numerous repairs to RWH systems damaged by Cyclone Evan, but the village identified a need for additional new systems as well as further repairs. Thus, during MWH Water Security Project, the team added a complete 5,300 litre rainwater harvesting system to supplement demand. The construction team repaired an existing system, increasing the area of rainwater collection by approximately 43 square meters, thus drastically improving the collection efficiency of the system.

Nacula Village

Existing capacity made available through efficiency improvements and repairs: 50,000 Litres

Nisisili Village

Total New Capacity Added through complete Systems: 5,300 Litres

Existing capacity made available through efficiency improvements and repairs: 5,000 Litres

“We thank MWH and hope to keep working with them and GVI to make sure everyone has enough water to drink. The village youth will help collect the materials needed to make the concrete base and help with with the labor.” Etuate Ratudradra –Vuake Village Headman

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Enedala Settlement The monthly demand in this small settlement was calculated at 7,600 litres. The existing water situation involved reliance on a 5,000 tank and numerous buckets for collecting rain from roofs with water for washing being sourced from brackish wells. The MWH team funded, delivered, and installed a further two 5,300 litre rainwater harvesting system, tripling the existing capacity of the settlement. Both tanks were installed on the houses of the settlement elders ensuring that the most vulnerable and least mobile people in the settlement have a local drinking water source.

Enedala Settlement

Total New Capacity Added through complete Systems: 10,600 Litres

Figure 5: Volunteers and Enedala Community Members pose in front of new RWH system

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Blue Schools’ Project - The Next Generation of Rainwater Harvesters

The International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance has developed a set of criteria to recognize schools around the world that have a proactive and efficient approach to water, sanitation and health awareness. Blue schools are institutions that have been recognized by the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance, as being schools in which a high level of water awareness, sanitation, and water solutions have been sustained in keeping with basic human rights and the requirements of an educational environment.

“The International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA) was created in Geneva in November 2002 following recommendations formulated during the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg two months earlier. The mandate called for the federation and unification of the disparate rainwater harvesting (RWH) movement around the world, to promote rainwater as a valuable water resource and to build on achievements in this field for the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals. In partnership with the most eminent organisations and individuals in the field, the IRHA provides a lobbying and advocacy platform for RWH. It supports the growth of RWH solutions to water supply problems. It also provides a forum for its members to work together or share experiences, and thus for the benefit of people living with water scarcity.” www.irha-h2o.org

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Relevant Components of the Blue Schools Programme Curriculum

Rainwater Awareness Sanitation Hygiene and Environmental Education Initiation to Correct Waste Management

Infrastructure improvements to Sanitation facilities of schools

1. Composting Toilets (materials for construction) 2. Hand-washing facilities (materials for construction/improvements) 3. Access to drinking water (materials for improvements)

The MWH Water Security project utilized the criteria and methodology involved with the IRHA Blue Schools program to help design a large component of the project directed specifically at schools and children. Over the period of a year the MWH/GVI team worked with four schools in the Dawasamu and Nacula Districts of Fiji. A main focus of the project was to both physically improve school sanitation and water facilities and actively enrich and promote water and sanitation awareness amongst primary and secondary school aged children. This component of the MWH water security project was implemented throughout the 12 month project duration across three schools and extended beyond the initial Yasawa Island project location to the Mainland of Viti Levu and the Dawasamu District.

Ratu Meli Memorial School, Nacula Village, Yasawa Islands Ratu Meli Memorial School is one of the largest schools in the Northern Yasawa district with 117 students from five local villages. In 2012, RMMS was nearly closed by the Fiji Ministry of Health due to concerns regarding the compound’s toilet facilities, general lack of sanitation, and limited safe water sources. Old cement water tanks in the compound were cracked and dirty and the existing toilet block did not have enough constant water to function. The MWH project implemented a series of WASH (Water Awareness, Sanitation and Health) awareness lessons for the primary school students through a series of activities delivered by volunteers throughout the year. The MWH team repaired the 10,000 Rainwater tank attached to the student dorms and made sure that the system was clean and functional. The volunteers trained school teachers on tank upkeep and put a system in place for checking the tanks on a regular basis.

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With water being an ongoing issue the decision was made to construct and trial composting toilets at the school to reduce reliance on flush toilets and pilot an idea which could potentially be implemented on a large scale in the drought prone areas of the Yasawas if managed correctly. The composting toilets, constructed in June 2013, are in full use and a system in place for the upkeep and maintenance. For the first time in over 5 years this school has clean and reliable access to toilets for its students.

Figure 6: Composting Toilet Block constructed at Ratu Meli Memorial School

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Navunisea Primary School, Silana Village, Dawasamu

The Navunisea District Primary (NDPS) is located in Silana Vilage, Dawasamu and is run by a community committee. There are currently 143 students enrolled at NDPS, both boys and girls, from class 1 to class 8 (age 5-15). The students are day

scholars from Silana Village, and the surrounding settlements. There are six teachers at the school and class sizes vary from 15 to 35. As part of the MWH Water Security Project and the Blue Schools program – volunteers at this location focused on waste Management due to its potential impacts to health and hygiene. The schools toilets and drinking water taps are fed by a fresh water dam located in the hills behind the school. Though water has run out during extreme dry weather, generally

this school has access to running potable water. However due to the amount of

standing water, ongoing burning of plastic and garbage, and resulting sanitation issues the school environment demonstrated the need for a waste management program.

Figure 7- Example of Poor Waste Management at Navunisea School

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At the end of the school day the children sweep out the classrooms and the mixed rubbish is either burned or buried in the school compound. The current waste management system was not sustainable and burning rubbish caused the emission of black smoke and the release of harmful toxins on the school grounds. However, the school does compost its organic kitchen waste or feed it to the pigs. This has been encouraged and Navunisea School staff agreed to aim for all organic waste will be disposed of in this way. The GVI/MWH team worked on designing a long term and sustainable waste management system, which could be managed by the school. Teachers were introduced to the Clean School Programme during a professional development session led by the GVI Primary Education Project Leader, who discussed the opportunity to start a sustainable waste management programme in school. To date, volunteers have been delivering lessons and activities which promote environmental awareness based around the 3R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). The children, with the support of GVI/MWH volunteers, have made rubbish separation and recycling bins, and promotional posters for each class. The staff at Navunisea School have established an Eco Council and selected Eco Warriors from each class, who monitor the use of the separation bins. The bins have been used to great effect. Any paper or card collected will be turned into mulch for composting and flower beds. The wrappers collected will be given to the Silana Women’s Group, to support their income generation project. And all non-recyclables are collected for arts & crafts or up-cycling lessons led by volunteers.

Figure 8- Navunisea School Eco Warriors

Our aim is establish the Clean School Programme for the long term and work towards a zero burning policy. Thus ensuring Navunisea School is a healthy and beautiful environment for the children of Silana to learn in.” Eleanor Hanson, GVI Education Project Leader.

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Dawasamu Secondary School, Dawasamu

District The Dawasamu Secondary School is located two and half hours north of Suva City down a rough coastal road. Around 170 students from the fifteen villages and three settlements that make up the Dawasamu District and the remote Nakorotubu district attend this secondary school daily. As the only secondary school in the immediate region, there is ongoing pressure on the facilities of the school compound. The school facilities and teachers’ quarters rely on a nearby dam as their water source. This dam is in poor condition and is an unreliable and unprotected water source. During heavy rain, dirt and residue from the surrounding hill sides rush into the dam contaminating the source. During an initial visit to assess the water situation, the MWH water project team found that all the taps in the compound were producing thick brown water. The teachers of the school reported that many of the students had become sick and that no one was drinking the water and that most of the 200 students and teachers in the compound either drank very

“Over the years, the Ministry through its Assets Monitoring Unit and donor partners like the European Union, have facilitated schools’ request for water tanks. Recently, schools in the Yasawas and those who also face water problems have been requested to submit their water tank capacities to their nearest District Education Office to assist the office determine the amount of water to be carted to the school during the dry spell. “Teachers are advised to use their own discretion during periods of water shortage and ensure that their respective District Education Offices are well-informed on ways in which the school will recover lost teaching time,” he said. The Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture & Arts, Youth & Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Filipe Bole 8/31/2010 www.fiji.gov.net

Figure 9: MWH/GVI Volunteers with Prime Minister of Fiji at the site of the new MWH funded RWH system.

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little water or relied on surrounding villages and settlements for water. During the third phase of the MWH project, the team constructed a new 5,300litre rainwater harvesting system which is now collecting water from the new school roof. The school now has a reliable drinking water source for both students and resident teachers. MWH, GVI, and the Dawasamu Secondary school teachers have integrated a program of water conservation and hygiene awareness into this year’s curriculum in keeping with the standards and goals of the IRHA Blue Schools program.

Figure 10 - Children drink rainwater from a communal tank in Nacula Village

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Project Impact

Cumulative Project Impact

20

,60

0

15

,90

0

10

60

0

5,3

00

15

,90

0

0

5,3

00

59

,40

0 0

49

,90

0

5,0

00

10

,00

0

10

00

0 0

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

New Water Capacity Added(Litres)

Water capacity made available through repairs to existing infrasturcture (Litres)

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How the funds were spent

80%

82%

84%

86%

88%

90%

92%

94%

96%

98%

100%

Total SpendTanks: $12,600 Brackets: $318.8 Guttering Length: $308

Downpipe: $296.06 Timber: $151.86 Cement: $200.2

Expansion Head: $141.4 Black Visqueen Plastic: $21 Guttering joints: $55.95

Elbows: $95 Lockable Tap: $78.3 Rebar: 58.3

End Caps: $42.3

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Impact by Project Phase

Project Phase 1

Project Phase 2

0

15,900

5,300 5,300

20,000

10,000

00

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

Vuaki Navotua Enedala Matacawalevu

New Storage (Litres)

Existing Water Storage Capacity Made Available Through Repairs/Improvements

15,300

5,300 5,300

0 0

5,300

38,000

5,000

0

17,200

10,000

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

Vuaki Naisisili Enedala Nacula RMMS Matacawalevu

New Storage

Existing Water Storage Capacity Made Available Through Repairs/Improvements

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Project Phase 3

5,300 5,300

0

5,300

14,000

0

32,700

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

Vuaki Matacawalevu Nacula Dawasamu

New Storage (Litres)

Existing Water Storage Capacity Made Available Through Repairs/Improvements

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Conclusion -Water for the Future

Over the period of one year the MWH Water Security project has focused on a strategic approach to improving water security in some of Fiji’s most vulnerable communities through an approach that has integrated a program of awareness with a participatory approach to infrastructure improvements.

Figure 11- Volunteers and villagers work together to repair an old water tank

Access to drinking water is one of the basic human rights and the approach of this project has been to encourage communities to take a serious stance when it comes to conserving, collecting, and storing drinking water. With the increasing frequency of natural disasters and changing weather patterns in the Fiji Islands, more regions of the country than ever before have been experiencing problems ensuring year round water security. With some communities suffering from more severe shortages and more frequent problems with water quality, there is a growing need for training and awareness in affected

“I would like to thank the MWH Water Security Project for reaching out to help communities where they are most vulnerable and where it matters most.” Filipe Nainoca – Director General, Fiji Red Cross Society

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communities. In this first instance of the MWH water security project a focus was made on the outer islands in the driest region of the country, The Yasawas Islands. In the aftermath of Cyclone Evan in 2012, many villages in this island chain had severely damaged water infrastructure and further problems due to land erosion and the resulting effect on natural water catchment. In order to better ensure a lasting impact, the project focused equally on infrastructure improvements and awareness and training for both adults and children. Over 207,900 litres of rainwater collection capacity were made available through the combination of new system installations and efficiency improvements and major repairs to existing infrastructure. In testament to the effectiveness of the awareness program and participatory approach of the project, in the months following the initial works in Nacula Village the village committee decided to invest in a further 50,000 litres worth of water tanks to ensure the village had further water available to complement the recent improvements and refurbishment of existing capacity. The village requested support from the MWH/GVI team to return to the village in order to help oversee the ongoing efforts to improve water security. This move to build upon the provided support and utilize the shared knowledge and awareness emphasized in the interaction between project volunteers and local community members has been indicative of the most

important element of the project – the promotion community resilience through empowerment and awareness.

On behalf of the school management, teachers, parents and students of Dawasamu Secondary School, I would like to extend my thanks to MWH for providing us with 5000L of rain water capacity. This will provide over 170 students and teachers with clean, safe drinking water. Before your donation we were experiencing a severe water crisis at the school as our local dam was becoming contaminated and children were being forced to drink unsafe water. This new rain water system has gone a long way in helping us overcome this problem. We are very grateful for your wonderful support. Vinaka vakalevu Mr Sikeli Koro School Manager Dawasamu Secondary School

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MWH Global’s Commitment to ‘Building a Better World’ has been emphasized in the grass roots approach of this Water Security Project and has helped to ensure an ongoing investment in community development.

Figure 12- Vuake Village Headman Eddie and his wife Teca

“Over Christmas, many people who have moved to the mainland return to the village and since they are not used to drinking water from the spring it is important to have rainwater for them to drink so they don’t get sick.” Meli Rainima – Matacawalevu Village Headman

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Next Steps – Expanding Our Impact

The Yasawa Islands According to the UNDP’s standards multiplying the population of a village by 5 litres of drinking water and multiplying that product by the number of days in the dry season it would give the ideal number of liters of storage which would provide adequate drinking water to that village. Thus, by using this equation, two of the current project sites Naisisili and Vuake village each require nearly 100,000 litres of further water holding capacity to ensure the needs of the population are met. Additionally in the region directly north and immediately south of the initial project sites there are multiple villages requiring support. All 2014 water operations in the Yasawas will be focused in these areas.

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Viti Levu In 2014, GVI hopes to continue the partnership with MWH in an effort to expand the impact of the Fiji Water Security Project. With significant support provided in the Yasawas the next step will be expand the project to new locations. The initial assessments that lead to the installation of rainwater harvesting system to ensure safe drinking water at the Dawasamu Secondary school in the Tailevu province as opened up a new focus area for support. The problems faced in the Tailevu province of the central division of Fiji are much different to those found in the Yasawas. Ground water is available throughout the year to some degree yet, water quality from these sources varies considerably as heavy rain and run off frequently render water sources undrinkable due to contamination. Without secure systems separated from the open ground water source, it is impossible to manage water quality on a month to month basis. As a result, more incidents of water related illness are being recorded each year in this district and many schools are without reliable water sources. Reporting Data on the improvements made possible by this project and the resulting situation in each of the villages will be reported to the BA Provincial Council, the relevant District Office, Fiji Water Authority, Fiji Ministry of Education, Fiji Ministry of Youth and Sports, , and The International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance. Vinaka Vaka Levu!

March 2014 Global Vision International Fiji PO Box 4431, Nadi fiji@gviworld.com