Water in a Changing Environment The Cook Islands Experience Pacific Water & Waste Association Conference Sheraton – Aggie Greys Hotel – Samoa August 2017

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 Mato Vai Project 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

Ring-main construction completed Implemented from 2014 – 2016 1.Water Project Stage 1 Ring-main construction completed Implemented from 2014 – 2016 A budget of NZ$32m, 57 km of ringmain completed

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 tanks and 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

Meitaki Maata