SOLOMON Water recommissioned its White River borefield on Thursday 25 May 2021.
This project, commenced in 2019 and included the rehabilitation of two boreholes and the pump station in White River, some of which were extensively damaged during the tension period.
This project cost was over $7m and was fully funded by Solomon Water to ensure facilities are upgraded and meet growing customer needs.
The project was initiated to enable Solomon Water to produce more water for Honiara and in particular assist with production when the Kongulai and other water sources at Kombito and Rove were forced to shut due to dirt carried in the streams by heavy rain.
Illegal logging and sawmilling in the Kohove and Konguali water catchments since 2019 has had a $30 m cash impact on Solomon Water and continues to affect costs and water safety for our customers.
During the commissioning ceremony the Minister for Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Bradley Tovosia said:
“The Government appreciates the huge investment that Solomon Water is undertaking to upgrade the Honiara Water Supply infrastructures and acknowledged the support of the development partners assistance from the Asian Development Bank, World Bank and European Union.”
Tovosia said that the national government is willing and ready to support Solomon Water in any of its strategic undertakings.
Solomon Water Board Chairman Carson Korowa said:
“The completion of this project is another milestone for Solomon Water in ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of water to its customers.
“The completion of this project will see that the customers having more water during shut down of Kongulai.”
He further acknowledged the community members and call on public to respect Solomon Water property.
Other major Solomon Water projects include Kongulai Water treatment plant, Honiara water supply reservoirs and trunk mains as well as projects in Tulagi, Munda, Gizo and Noro ready for construction in the next few months.
Some projects will not be able to proceed at this stage however due to insufficient funding.
—Solomon Water
